Longer term risks of hand vein sclerotherapy?

Question

If you treat the visible bulging veins on the hand/outer lower forearm, does this pose a real risk if you need an IV in the future? Also, technical question: If you inject only one vein that eventually branches off into 2, do you affect both veins? In other words, how far do the effects of sclerotherapy travel?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Hand sclerotherapy can be done but often those veins are needed later in life for IVs so we typically camoflage the veins with fillers.  I suggest a formal consultation with an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

John Landi, MD · Answer

If you treat your hand veins then these veins will no longer be available for an iv. I never treat beyond the upper 1/3 of the forearm so that these veins can be preserved for future use.  Sclerotherapy can be controlled by compressing certain veins so the solution will not enter them.

Rodolfo Farhy, MD · Answer

Yes, doing sclerotherapy with eliminate venous access in the hand and arms for IV infusions, if needed. The length of vein affected by injection is variable and depends on the place of the injection, the volume of the solution and the concentration of the solution. It can affect several veins and branches with a single injection or need several injections. I personally do not recommend doing this procedure.

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Longer term risks of hand vein sclerotherapy?

Answers (3)

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