Sclerotherapy
The so called starbust varices, thin vein networks under the skin appear at about 50% of the population. In 10%-15% this is a sign for a severe weakness of the connective tissue or subjacent vein weakness, varicose veins or varices. That is why there should be a color duplex-sonography of the veins to preclude an insufficient connection to the deeper veins before the planned sclerotherapy.
Women suffer more often from starbust varices than men. These shine reddishly or bluely on the skin and are stimulated by pregnancy, age, overweight, brush massage and intensive insolation or heat from the tanning bed or baths.
This aesthetical and cosmetical problem can be solved atrophy with the help of medication or with a laser. Bigger varicose veins that prevent the backflow of the blood to the heart have to be removed surgically.
To realize the sclerotherapy foamed aethoxysclerol with very fine air bubbles is injected into the veins with a very thin needle at a low concentration 1:4 – 1:5 (ae:a), this causes a thickening of the membrane and by that a closure of the vein (phlebitis). The injection into bigger veins is pain free, but for thinner starbust varices it can be burn painfully for a short period of time. The body degrades the closed vein in the following weeks without any scars left behind. Afterwards walking is recommended for 20-30 minutes and the waering of an elastic stocking for one or two weeks depending on the size of the vein and the dimension of the weakness of the connective tissue. In case of a sclerotherapy of starbust varices the leg is wrapped for one night. Risks are in some cases allergic reactions, brownish marks, inflammation of the veins and as the case may be scars if an incorrect application took place. In rare cases a thrombosis develops.
There are no restrictions for exercise, there is no inability to work, just heat (sauna, thermal baths) and direct insolation should be avoided for about 4 weeks.