What you should do after treatment with foam sclerotherapy

Points to note after treatment

• As with all endovenous methods of treatment, it may be several weeks before your body has broken down the diseased veins.
• Immediately after sclerotherapy, you should walk around for 30 minutes to activate the blood flow through the veins.
• To get the best results, you should wear a compression stocking or bandage for a few weeks after treatment.
• You can resume your normal daily activities immediately and go back to work without delay.
• You are advised not to take part in any strenuous sporting activities (intensive jogging, long mountain hikes, or football) for the first 2 weeks after treatment. Physical exercise without strenuous exertion is, of course, permitted (walking or swimming).
• Avoid the sauna, long hot baths or showers, solaria, and prolonged sunbathing for some time (1-4 weeks) after treatment. If you do have to go out in the sun, use a sunscreen with a light protection factor of at least 25. It is difficult to give a precise length of time, so you should rely on the experience and recommendations of the doctor treating you.
• Do not plan any long journeys by bus, train, or car in the first 2 weeks after sclerotherapy and, in particular, avoid long-haul flights.
• Contact your doctor without delay if you notice anything untoward or the leg is very painful.
• Please be sure to attend the follow-up examinations.

Risks

Even though sclerotherapy is a safe method of treatment, it may have undesirable side effects like with all medical procedures or medicines. Small areas of bleeding in the skin, haematomas, and temporary discolouration may occur around the site of the treated varicose veins, although these changes usually resolve soon after treatment. The insertion of the needle can obviously be felt as a short prick. Local blood clots in the treated veins are not dangerous and can easily be dealt with by your doctor.

The reactions mentioned here are the most common side effects of sclerotherapy. In addition, there may be temporary hardening and inflammation around the treated vein. In rare cases, deep vein thrombosis may occur, but it is usually straightforward to treat. Very rare side effects that may also occur are, for example, systemic allergies or circulatory reactions.

Before you start treatment, your doctor will explain the possible side effects to you – including those that are very rare – and answer any questions that you may have.