A lot of patients in need of varicose vein removal worry about the usage of needles during the treatments. Fear of needles, also known as trypanophobia is very common with all age and gender groups and 10% of US adult citizens are estimated to suffer from it. This is a fear a lot of people have difficulty overcoming. This fear in turn prevents patients from seeking a permanent solution for their varicose vein problem, which can often lead to a lot of issues, mainly aesthetic but sometimes those affecting our quality of life such as numbness, swelling and more.
Our vein removal experts at Beverly Hills Vein Institute are here to reassure you that the needles we use to remove varicose veins are no cause for alarm. We also offer alternative treatments.
Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure used to remove varicose veins involving a chemical being injected into the troublesome veins. This chemical causes the veins to collapse and disappear. Traditional sclerotherapy is most effective on spider veins and small varicose veins.
People suffering from a fear of needles are probably already shaking their heads in disapproval, but we can guarantee that there is no cause for alarm. The needles we use for sclerotherapy are very fine, only a bit larger than acupuncture needles and a lot smaller than standard vaccination needles.
As sclerotherapy needles are smaller, the initial pain of breaking the skin is greatly reduced. However, some areas on your legs might be slightly more sensitive, such as the areas behind the knee and around your feet. In this case we use the finest needles at our disposal to reduce the chance of our patients experiencing pain.
Still not convinced that needles we use are completely harmless? In that case, we might be able to offer some alternatives, depending on your condition. One of such alternatives is microphlebectomy, most often used for large or medium-sized surface veins. It involves making a few tiny incisions on your leg allowing us to remove the affected vein. These incisions are diminutive and leave no unsightly scars.
The pain associated with this procedure is minimal, but we administer pain relief during and after the treatment. Additionally, there are no recovery times involved, only a list of activities you are to avoid for a short period of time. However, not all veins can be treated this way, which is why it is best to book an appointment with our experts.
We understand that removing varicose veins can be a real challenge if you suffer from a fear of needles, which is why our doctors will be there for you to explain the process and be supportive through every step of it. You are free to bring along a family member or a friend if they will help you feel more relaxed during the procedure. You can rest assured you are in safe hands, as you will not be the first patient with trypanophobia we’ve treated and won’t be the last to come out of our clinic satisfied, varicose vein-free and possibly having overcome your biggest fear.
