Spider Veins

CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL

Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, are dilations of small blood vessels that appear close to the skin’s surface, forming patterns that resemble a spider’s legs.

They are common in adults and can appear anywhere on the body, though they are most frequently found on the legs and face.

While generally benign, spider veins can indicate underlying disorders, especially when they appear extensively or in specific contexts.

Pathology	Symptoms and Clinical Signs	Suspected Diagnosis	Confirmed Diagnosis
Normal	Small red, bluish, or purplish lines visible on the skin. Generally asymptomatic.	Clinical history and physical examination.	Clinical diagnosis based on visual evaluation and exclusion of other causes.
Oestrogen Intake	Small red, bluish, or purplish lines visible on the skin. History of oral contraceptive or hormone therapy use.	Clinical history and physical examination.	Confirmation with a history of oestrogen use and resolution after discontinuation.
Pregnancy	Small red, bluish, or purplish lines visible on the skin. Ongoing pregnancy.	Clinical history and physical examination.	Confirmation with a positive pregnancy test.
Liver Failure	Small red, bluish, or purplish lines visible on the skin. Symptoms of liver failure (jaundice, ascites).	Clinical history and physical examination. Abnormal liver function tests.	Confirmation with blood tests and liver ultrasound.