A spider angioma refers to a bunch of dilated blood vessels that radiate from a central red spot. These are located just beneath the surface of the skin. This abnormal clustering of blood vessels with a red dot at the center resembles the appearance of a spider; hence, the name. The chest, neck, and facial area are the three common sites where spider angiomas generally occur. In children, spider angiomas disappear quite soon. However, those occurring in adults persist and do not go away easily.

Excessive exposure to the sun, hormonal changes that are common during pregnancy, thyroid problems (Hyperthyroidism), and liver problems are some of the factors that can cause spider angiomas. Women taking oral contraceptives are also prone to spider angiomas. In case these appear suddenly on multiple sites, undergoing a liver function test is recommended in order to rule out any serious concern.

Who's At Risk
Spider angiomas occur in both children and adults. Children of all races can develop spider angiomas, but they are more apparent in lighter-skinned individuals. Girls and boys seem to be equally affected. It is estimated that up to 50% of children may develop a spider angioma at some point during childhood.

Signs and Symptoms
The most common locations for spider angiomas include:
Face, especially below the eyes and over the cheekbones
Neck
Upper trunk
Backs of the hands and fingers
Forearms
Ears

Spider angiomas may appear singly or as multiple lesions. Each spider angioma appears as a small (1–10 mm), bright red spot. Upon closer inspection, you will see a central red dot with tiny red lines radiating out from the center.

Herbal Remedies
Herbs that have a long history of use for treating skin problems may also help to get rid of spider angiomas. Taking herbal extracts of horse chestnut, hawthorn, and ginkgo biloba orally help to reduce the dilation of blood vessels, which may consequently contribute in fading out their conspicuous appearance gradually. Topical ointments containing these herbs are also found to be helpful in clearing away spider angiomas.