Spider Veins Specialist
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MD Vein & Skin Specialists
Clement Banda, MD
Dermatologist & Phlebologist located in Owen Brown, Columbia, MD
Spider veins are often referred to as smaller varicose veins, but they’re not quite the same. Dr. Clement Banda at MD Vein & Skin Specialists in Owen Brown, Columbia, Maryland, is a vein expert who understands the difference between spider veins and varicose veins and offers treatment to get rid of the underlying cause of your spider veins. If you’d like an evaluation of your spider veins from a leading expert in the field, call the office or schedule an appointment online.
Spider Veins Q & A
What are spider veins?
Spider veins are dilated blood vessels found close to the surface of your skin. While spider veins can occur on any part of your body, they most commonly form on the face and legs. If your spider veins occur in your legs, you may experience a dull ache after standing for a long period of time.
Spider veins are fairly harmless, but may indicate an underlying issue with the veins that provide the blood to your spider veins.
What causes spider veins?
Physicians are still unraveling the exact cause of spider veins, but certain factors may increase your risk. These include:
- Genetics
- Injury to the area
- Pregnancy or hormonal changes
- Aging
Increased pressure from the “feeder” vein, or the vein that provides blood to the surface blood vessels, may also cause you to develop these little red lines on your face or legs.
Spider and varicose veins are also more common in women, especially as they get older, affecting 80% of women in their 80s.
How are spider veins treated?
Treatment of spider veins usually begins with conservative measures, such as weight loss, an increase in activity, or wearing compression stockings. However, if these treatments don’t improve your spider veins or you begin to experience additional symptoms, such as pain or swelling, Dr. Banda may recommend minimally invasive treatments.
Dr. Banda is an expert in vein health and recommends ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy to treat spider veins. This treatment not only allows him to damage and close your spider veins, but also assess the health of the feeder veins and treat those, too. Treating the underlying cause of your spider veins ensures they won’t return.
During the in-office minimally invasive treatment, Dr. Banda injects a chemical into the vein, causing it to collapse and close. The treatment takes about 30 minutes and requires no downtime afterward. To assist in healing, Dr. Banda prescribes compression stockings, which need to be worn for several days following treatment.
You may notice an improvement in your appearance about two weeks after treatment, but it takes a few months for spider veins to completely disappear.
If you’re looking for a permanent solution to your spider veins, Dr. Banda can help. Call MD Vein & Skin Specialists today or schedule an appointment using the online booking button.
