Spider veins are blood vessels that lie near the surface of the skin and range in color from red to blue to purple. Commonly occurring on the legs, spider veins also develop on the face and other areas of the body. Some spider veins look like short, unconnected lines about the size of a hair. Others form a “sunburst” pattern that may resemble a spider web or branches on a tree.
Spider veins can occur in a small area and may be barely noticeable, or they can cover a large area of skin.
Occasionally, spider veins can cause some discomfort.
These are veins that have become enlarged or swollen. Varicose veins commonly develop in the legs and feet but can occur on any part of the body. Often varicose veins rise above the surface of the skin and have a telltale knotted appearance. Some varicose veins are flesh-colored, others are blue, green, or dark purple and sometimes varicose veins appear together with spider veins.
Varicose veins can be painful and smaller varicose veins can cause pain that ranges from dull and throbbing to a burning sensation. The larger varicose veins are, the more likely they are to cause discomfort.