Risks and possible problems
Complications of foam sclerotherapy include inflammation of veins, blood clots (thrombosis) and changes in the skin's colouring. About 2% of patients have short-term side effects, including chest tightness, dry cough, headache, 'pins and needles' or problems with their vision.
In a report on about 6400 foam sclerotherapy sessions, there were 37 adverse events (less than 1%). These included brief problems with vision (eight cases), while some people with vision problems also had headache, nausea or fainting (eight cases). In all 16 cases the problems disappeared on their own, with no after effects. Six patients fainted, three had thrombosis and one had deep vein thrombosis. One patient had a stroke shortly after having foam sclerotherapy. The risks with foam sclerotherapy and liquid sclerotherapy are about the same.
Skin Pigmentation
Darkening of the skin can sometimes occur after foam sclerotherapy in about 1 in 4 patients. It may take up to a year to resolve but can occasionally be permanent.