Spider Angioma (Nevus Araneus)
Basics
Description
- Benign dilated arteriole with a characteristic spider-like appearance where the arteriole is close to the surface of the skin at a central point (spider body) and has radiating capillaries (spider legs)
- Distribution is that of the superior vena cava. On adults, the face, neck, upper trunk, and arms are typically involved. In children, they are most often seen on the fingers and hands.
- Tend to be permanent in adults, may fade in children and following pregnancy
Epidemiology
Occurs normally in adults and young children; is also associated with liver disease and pregnancy
Incidence
- Present in 10–15% of normal adults and up to 40% of young children, although many of these fade
- No predominant sex
- No predominant race. However, lesions are easier to see in patients with lighter skin.
- Pregnant women and children are most commonly affected (1).
Etiology and Pathophysiology
- Spider angiomas are classified as primary (cause unknown) telangiectasias.
- Probably stimulation via elevated estrogen concentrations as seen in pregnancy and liver disease
- In liver disease, estrone, which derives from the androgen androstenedione, is elevated.
Risk Factors
- Pregnancy: Lesions that arise with pregnancy may resolve within months of delivery.
- Liver disease (cirrhosis)
- Hormonal contraception use, cryosurgery, laser, or electrosurgery, and topical steroid use may predispose to formation of telangiectasias.
General Prevention
None
There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.
Citation
Domino, Frank J., et al., editors. "Spider Angioma (Nevus Araneus)." 5-Minute Clinical Consult, 33rd ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2025. Medicine Central, im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/1688615/all/Spider_Angioma__Nevus_Araneus_.
Spider Angioma (Nevus Araneus). In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, et al, eds. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/1688615/all/Spider_Angioma__Nevus_Araneus_. Accessed December 3, 2024.
Spider Angioma (Nevus Araneus). (2025). In Domino, F. J., Baldor, R. A., Golding, J., & Stephens, M. B. (Eds.), 5-Minute Clinical Consult (33rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/1688615/all/Spider_Angioma__Nevus_Araneus_
Spider Angioma (Nevus Araneus) [Internet]. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, Stephens MBM, editors. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. [cited 2024 December 03]. Available from: https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/1688615/all/Spider_Angioma__Nevus_Araneus_.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - ELEC
T1 - Spider Angioma (Nevus Araneus)
ID - 1688615
ED - Domino,Frank J,
ED - Baldor,Robert A,
ED - Golding,Jeremy,
ED - Stephens,Mark B,
BT - 5-Minute Clinical Consult, Updating
UR - https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/1688615/all/Spider_Angioma__Nevus_Araneus_
PB - Wolters Kluwer
ET - 33
DB - Medicine Central
DP - Unbound Medicine
ER -