Spider angiomas

[Zipporah Schumaker]

Spider angiomas are small, bright-red spots consisting of a central dilated blood vessel surrounded by slender dilated capillaries (the smallest blood vessels) that resemble spider legs.
(See also Overview of Skin Growths and Overview of Growths and Malformations of the Vessels.)
Spider angiomas on the face are commonly seen in fair-skinned people and may occur in children. In most people, there is no known cause, but people with cirrhosis often develop many spider angiomas, as do many women who are pregnant or who are using oral contraceptives. Spider angiomas are not present at birth.
Spider angiomas are usually less than