Varicose veins are a very common problem in many people, although it is generally more common in women. Varicose veins are swollen and twisted veins that are seen especially in those of advanced ages, women or the obese and are usually located under the skin on the legs.
Lack of exercise, crossing your legs when sitting or not raising them when lying down increases the risk of varicose veins. Varicose veins are a problem that, beyond health, turns out to be very unsightly, annoying and requires special treatment.
To treat varicose veins, foam sclerotherapy is a treatment that can give great results, however, few people are aware of this procedure and its effects. That is why in this FastlyHealarticle we will tell you all about foam sclerotherapy: what it is, side effects and complications , so that you have all the information before opting for this treatment.
Table of Contents
What is foam sclerotherapy
Foam sclerotherapy is a procedure that aims to eliminate varicose veins that form from the veins, usually in the legs and more often in women. This procedure is given through the infiltration of a substance that makes the affected veins collapse or dry , thus reducing varicose veins. Do you want to know how this procedure works? In the following article we explain how foam sclerotherapy is performed.
How Foam Sclerotherapy Is Performed
The procedure consists of introducing into the diseased vein a chemical that is the soapy sclerosing solution mixed with air , which gives it an appearance that is like shaving foam. Once the foam has been injected into the vein, it displaces the blood and comes into direct contact with the walls of the affected vessel, sealing or drying the dilated venous ducts, thus achieving their reabsorption and subsequent disappearance, obtaining a greater effect compared to other procedures. in the treatment of this injury. The soap solution can be, for example, polidocanol.
It is used in thick varicose veins and those of medium caliber . Foam sclerotherapy achieves very good effects but at a lower cost compared to other methods, it can be applied directly to the vein or through Doppler ultrasound.
Surgery has only been indicated in more advanced cases; for the rest, foam sclerotherapy has proven to be an effective, revolutionary and lower-cost method for the treatment of varicose veins.
Side effects of foam sclerotherapy
Despite being a procedure with very good results, there have been cases in which foam sclerotherapy produces side effects , however they are not very significant, among the most frequent we have:
- Inflammation (although it is very mild, it can cause it).
- It can cause heat and discomfort at the injection site.
- Allergic reaction (to anesthesia and the injected solution).
- Bleeding during the process.
- Air bubbles.
- Blood clot (in some people it can occur in the vein that was injected and requires drainage).
In addition, foam sclerotherapy is contraindicated in:
- Pregnant women.
- During lactation.
- People with an allergy to sclerosing products.
- People receiving cancer treatment.
Complications of Foam Sclerotherapy
Foam sclerotherapy despite being a treatment with excellent results, like many procedures it can have complications , although there are not many but no less important and that is why we will mention it in the following section:
- Foam sclerotherapy is used in large and medium caliber varicose veins, it is not recommended in so-called spiders or webs because they can produce blood clots which will require drainage and pigmentation, it is more frequent in this therapy than in pure, therefore Generally, this hyperpigmentation resolves in the sixth week of treatment.
- In other conditions, a hematoma may occur at the injection site, which resolves without requiring treatment.
- Cloths may also appear, in a very small percentage of people, which are small pink vessels that manage to disappear after 6 months.
- In very few cases an ulcer may appear , which heals leaving a flat surface.
- Another very rare possible complication is deep vein thrombosis , which can occur when the injection is in large vessels near the junction with other vessels of greater depth.
- In a lesser case, people may report having ankle swelling after the injection, it resolves itself.
- The pain that the treatment can produce is tolerable for the person, and there may also be infection at the site of the microfiltration.
- Healing may also not be very good and may cause permanent marks.
- It must be remembered that the treatment is based on injections and although it seems very normal, the puncture can generate complications, such as infection of the area, allergic reactions due to anesthesia or the same procedure, and that is why, although the risks are very low must be taken into account.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Foam Sclerotherapy: what it is, side effects and complications , we recommend that you enter our category of Blood, heart and circulation .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.