April 03, 2022

Sclerotherapy: After Care Instructions

Wear your socks

Wear them three days, night and day. You may shower with your socks on. Wash them with soap and water like your skin, rinse them as well. They will dry in about 20 min. Sclerotherapy greatly irritates the inside of the vein. It is very important to stop the flow in the blood vessels that were treated with sclerotherapy.

Do not apply cream or lotion

Several days after your visit it is a good idea not to cream or lotion your legs. Cream and lotion contains many substances. When the tiny scabs over the needle pokes come off, creams and lotions can then be safely applied. This well usually be 2-5 days.

Shaving your legs is not necessary

When the tiny scabs over the needle pokes come off, shaving can then be safely done. This well usually be 2-5 days.

Tylenol® works well for the minor pain

After the procedure, we will have you walk for 20 minutes. Walking with support stockings on works well for minor pain too. Medication such as Ibuprofen will not be a good idea for the first three days after the procedure. These compounds can actually protect the veins from the sclerotherapy and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.

Walk

After sclerotherapy if you compress the veins the treatment is more effective. Firm support stockings should be worn when walking for two weeks after the procedure. Walking is good for you, helps with the pain and may reduce swelling somewhat.

Do not wear high heels

The muscles in your calf and foot need to relax to pump blood effectively through the deep veins in your leg. High heels do not allow this pump to work effectively.

Do not tan

After sclerotherapy, staining of your skin from the breakdown of the blood and treated veins produce iron oxide. Iron oxide is commonly known as rust and is a brown color. Sun damage can cause staining of your skin like a tattoo with the iron oxide. Sun damage causes numerous other health problems and should be avoided for those reasons as well.

Avoid alcohol

After sclerotherapy, alcohol will dilate the veins. If blood flow is not stopped in the veins, they will return. Alcohol is not recommended for this reason. This recommendation should be followed for at least the two weeks the socks are warn. Alcohol is bad for you anyway for many other reasons.

Avoid warm bath or showers

After sclerotherapy, warm water will dilate the veins. If blood flow is not stopped in the veins, they will return. Cooler than normal shower is recommended for this reason. This recommendation should be followed for the two weeks the socks are warn.

Stay out of lakes, rivers and pools

When the tiny scabs over the needle pokes come off, the risk of an infection from these sources is very low. This well usually be 2-5 days when this recommendation should be followed.

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