Spider veins (also called telangiectasias) are tiny dilated blood vessels visible just beneath the surface of the skin. They appear as fine red, blue, or purple lines, sometimes in a web or starburst pattern, which is how they got their name.

Spider veins are most common on the legs and face. On the legs, they often develop on the outer thigh, the back of the knee, and the inner calf. They are very common, up to 80% of women and 40% of men will develop them at some point in their lives.

Most spider veins cause no symptoms at all. Some people report mild burning, itching, or aching in the area and sometimes that occur with varicose veins as well. Spider vein do not bulge above the skin and are generally not associated with serious health risks.

Causes include genetics, hormonal changes (pregnancy, the contraceptive pill, hormone therapy), prolonged sitting or standing, sun exposure (particularly on the face), and trauma. In some cases, spider veins on the legs are fed by an underlying varicose vein. so a proper assessment is worthwhile if you have many of them or if they are associated with other symptoms.

At our specialist Vein Clinic in Woolloomooloo, in Sydney’s inner east, we have specialist vein sonographers who can work out if your spider veins are isolated or due to underlying varicose veins.