Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is the treatment of spider and small varicose veins using the injection of an irritating solution directly into the affected veins. In this rather simple procedure, veins are injected with a sclerosing solution, which causes them to collapse and gradually fade from view. The procedure may also remedy the bothersome symptoms associated with spider veins, including aching, burning, swelling and night cramps. Although this procedure has been used in Europe for more than 50 years, it has only become popular in the United States during the past decade. The introduction of sclerosing agents that are mild enough to be used in small veins has made sclerotherapy predictable and relatively painless.