ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Sodium tetradecyl sulfate

Sodium tetradecyl sulfate is a very long word that describes a tiny molecule that can help in treating some problems in our body. Now, let's try to understand it step by step.

Firstly, have you ever seen those soap bubbles that come up when you wash your hands with a soap? Those bubbles are made up of tiny particles called molecules. And sodium tetradecyl sulfate is also one such molecule but it is a special one that does not make bubbles like regular soap molecules.

Secondly, this molecule is useful in medical treatments. For example, sometimes when we have a problem of enlarged veins in our legs, we need to have a medical procedure called sclerotherapy. In this procedure, a little amount of this sodium tetradecyl sulfate is injected into the affected vein. Now, once this molecule enters the vein, it attaches itself to the inner walls of the vein and starts irritating them. This irritation leads to inflammation and ultimately causes the walls of the vein to stick together. Gradually, the body's natural mechanisms clear the stuck veins and the blood can find other paths to flow from our legs.

So, to sum up, sodium tetradecyl sulfate is a tiny molecule that doctors use to help fix enlarged veins in our legs. It attaches to the walls of the veins and irritates them, ultimately making them close and heal. It is different from regular soap and helps our body to heal naturally.