Dr. McPherson is board certified in general and cardiothoracic surgery and performs all aspects of adult cardiac, general thoracic and peripheral vascular surgery including Sclerotherapy.
Sclerotherapy is one of the best methods of treating spider veins. Have you noticed blue, purple, or red lines on your skin? These damaged veins are called spider veins and come in the form of a thin line, webs, or branches on the surface of the legs or face. There are neither harmful nor painful, but they do stand out against one’s features and draw unwanted attention.
Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical medical procedure that is used to eliminate spider veins and smaller varicose veins. It is also used to treat lymph vessel disorders.
It involves the injection of a salt-based solution called a sclerosant into a vein in order to completely destroy it. Sclerosant irritates the vessels and causes them to swell. It damages the endothelium – the innermost lining of the vessel – and results in a clot that blocks blood circulation through the vein.
Besides spider veins, sclerotherapy is most often used for varicose veins, which come about due to chronic venous insufficiency, which swells and bulges the veins. It is caused by weak vein walls, which lead to weak vein valves.
Sclerotherapy is also used to treat hydroceles, malformed lymph vessels, and hemorrhoids.
You can consider this treatment if you have prominent veins that are causing you physical issues or embarrassment. The veins may cause pain and form a rash near them. The skin around them may be patchy or dry, and the affected leg may feel heavy or sore.
If small varicose veins and spider veins are causing difficulties, then schedule a consultation immediately. Your vein specialist will consider sclerotherapy as a treatment option after assessing your problematic vein or lymph vessel.
You will receive a set of instructions to be followed prior to the treatment, which includes the following:
The treatment is incredibly simple and very convenient, and it does not require any anesthesia. During the treatment, the areas surrounding the affected veins are first cleaned using a cleanser or antiseptic.
A small needle is then inserted into the vein and the irritating solution is injected. You may feel a burning sensation or even tingling. Some people may feel nothing at all. The treated area is then slowly and gently massaged, which prevents the blood from re-entering the vein. To collapse the veins completely, you may need follow-up treatments.
Recovery after sclerotherapy is relatively easy. You may need to wear a compression sock or bandage in the treated area for a few days or as recommended by your doctor. It is recommended that you stay active after the procedure to avoid a blood clot.
If you would like to get rid of those frustrating spider veins or varicose veins, schedule a consultation for sclerotherapy. Contact our office today to get started.
Your Sclerotherapy (Injection of Spider Veins) treatment will be performed in Dr. McPherson’s surgery center located in Oxnard, CA, just outside of Ventura.
Self-verified patient of James G. McPherson, III, MD, MPH, FACS
This is not someone you want to give less than 5 stars to. It may seem too embellishing to say "this person gave me a new life", but in fact that's exactly what he did! There are no words to describe the total care he showed to me. I thank him every day.
I absolutely admire Dr Mc ! He is an outstanding Heart surgeon with hands of gold.
Dr McPherson is unlike any other physcision I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Not only is he professional in every way, but extremely caring, knowledgable and experienced in his field. I have such trust in him, I wish he were my family physician.
James G. McPherson, III, MD, MPH, FACS is board certified in general and cardiothoracic surgery and performs all aspects of adult cardiac, general thoracic and peripheral vascular surgery.
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