Spider nevus goes by several names:
A spider nevus is a collection of small, dilated arterioles (blood vessels) clustered very close to the surface of the skin. The cluster of vessels is web-like, with a central spot and radiating vessels.
Spider nevi (plural) can be caused by injuries, sun exposure, hormonal changes, or liver disease, but often the cause is unknown. For most people, the nevi are not a medical concern. In some cases, they cause discomfort.
What are the symptoms of Spider Nevus?
For most people with spider nevus, the only symptom is the appearance of the vessel cluster. There may be a red dot in the center of a cluster of thin vessels, but this is not always the case. The thin vessels form a web-like shape and are red, blue, or purple in colour. When you apply pressure, they will disappear and then reappear because blood is flowing back into the vessels.
Spider nevi can occur anywhere on the body, but are most common on the face, neck, and legs (sun-exposed areas). Some people may experience aching or burning in the area of the vessel cluster. This pain occurs most commonly when the vessels are in the legs, and after a long period of standing.
Spider nevi are usually not cause for concern if you don’t have any other symptoms or health conditions.
What causes spider nevus?
The webs of small arterioles and capillaries that appear close to the skin are abnormal.
What causes this to happen is not entirely understood. Researchers believe that various factors may result in spider nevi. These factors include:
How can laser treatments help?
Lasers are highly effective at treating spider nevus, the laser beam is aimed at the lesion it tragets the blood in the centre of the small artery, causing it to shrink. This can eventually cause it to fade and disappear. The laser and the heat it emits may cause some pain or discomfort, but this should go away as soon as the laser is removed.
Two to five treatments are typically needed to completely fade the spider nevus.
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