Medical Treatment

Sclerotherapy involves injecting a chemical inside the vein that obliterates it. The treatment is only helpful for the spider veins and very small veins. It has no use in the treatment of large varicose veins.

• Even for the smaller veins, many treatments are usually necessary.
  
  
• The therapy is not totally successful in helping symptoms and preventing formation of more varicose veins.
  
  
• Complications associated with this technique include allergic reactions to the chemical used, stinging or burning at the various injection sites, inflammation, skin ulcerations, and permanent discoloration of the skin.
  
  
• Bandages often remain in place for as long as 3 weeks.
  
  
• Wearing compression stockings is usually recommended after treatment.

Lasers have received attention recently as a treatment for varicose veins but are frequently used in the treatment of smaller spider veins, medically referred to as telangiectasias.

• These veins are small, measuring only up to 1 millimeter in diameter, and represent dilated capillaries.
  
  
• Using lasers to treat these smaller vessels can cause changes in the color or texture of the skin.
  
  
• Multiple treatments are often required.
  
  
• Since this mode of therapy is relatively new, only time and experience will tell if it is as effective as older techniques.

If you have superficial thrombophlebitis, your health care provider will usually recommend warm compresses and pain medication. Additional treatment depends on whether your physician thinks you may have an infection.