You can return to most of your usual activities after sclerotherapy, so you don’t need to worry about a long recovery. However, there are a few limitations and self-care guidelines to follow in the days after your treatment.
Our vein specialists at the Centers for Pain Control and Vein Care in Hobart, LaPorte, Munster, Valparaiso, and Merrillville, Indiana, are experts in treating spider and varicose veins with sclerotherapy, ensuring you get optimal results and can enjoy life without unsightly and painful leg veins.
After we finish your injections, we put compression stockings over your legs and have you walk around the office for a while. Walking is essential as you recover because it promotes circulation and prevents blood clots.
You can drive yourself home and return to most of your usual activities after leaving the office. However, there are self-care guidelines to follow.
Recovering from sclerotherapy doesn’t take long, and there are only a few limitations.
The procedure may cause temporary side effects, such as redness and bruising. Large veins may develop firm, lumpy areas.
Redness (and pain) at the injection site usually disappears in a few days. Bruising may last several days or weeks. Lumpiness should improve within a few months as your body clears away the treated tissues.
Here are six self-care guidelines to follow:
Pressure from compression stockings promotes healthy circulation and ensures the vein walls stay pressed together while scarring develops. You’ll wear compression stockings for at least three days and possibly as long as two weeks.
Wear the stockings day and night for the first few days. After three days, you only need to wear them when you’re awake.
You may have mild pain after your treatment. Sclerotherapy for spider veins seldom causes discomfort. You’re more likely to have pain and other minor side effects if we treated large veins.
Take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) if needed for pain. However, avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen for the first two days after sclerotherapy. NSAIDs may interfere with the medication we inject into your veins.
We may ask you to avoid intensive activities for a short time, but it’s crucial to keep moving. Walking is a great way to exercise while you heal. Stop any exercise and rest if it causes leg pain.
Don’t bathe, sit in a whirlpool or hot tub, or swim for two days. It’s also important to avoid heat. Use cool or lukewarm water when showering, and don’t apply heat treatments to your legs.
Gently wash the injection sites with mild soap and lukewarm water. Resist the urge to shave your legs or apply skin lotion until the injection sites heal.
For the first few days, try to avoid standing or sitting with your legs hanging down for prolonged periods. Keep your legs elevated with a footstool or pillow when sitting or lying down.
Avoid exposing the treated areas to sunlight for two weeks. Sunlight may cause dark spots that could be permanent. Compression stockings and slacks protect from the sun. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher when your legs are exposed.
Call the office any time you have a question about healing, side effects, or self-care. You should also check in with us if acetaminophen doesn’t improve your pain or you have problems with the compression stockings.
Sclerotherapy is a safe procedure, and complications are rare. However, connect with us immediately if you have any of the following:
Most of these signs indicate an infection has developed.
Our team has extensive experience performing sclerotherapy. Call the nearest Centers for Pain Control and Vein Care office today or request an evaluation through online booking to learn more about sclerotherapy.
