Spider angioma is an abnormal collection of blood vessels near the surface of the skin.
Alternative Names:
Nevus araneus
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
A spider angioma lesion typically has a red dot in the center with reddish extensions radiating out for some distance around it (a few millimeters to a centimeter or more). Spider angiomas can occur anywhere but are most common on the face and trunk.
Spider angiomas are very common and are especially prevalent during pregnancy and in patients with liver disease.
Symptoms:
Vascular (blood vessel) lesion
May have a red dot in the center
Has reddish extensions that radiate from the center
Disappears with pressure and reappears when the pressure is released.
Common in both children and adults
Most frequently seen on the face and trunk
Signs and tests:
No testing is usually necessary, but a skin biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis in some cases.
Review Date: 10/26/2006
Reviewed By: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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General Dermatology, Internal Medicine
