This image displays a spider angioma. A spider angioma is a dilated, small capillary. Spider angiomas are bright red, flat, and easily blanch when you press your finger on them. This image displays a typical spider angioma. This image displays two spider angiomas on the upper lip. This flat spider angioma demonstrates why it is often called a "spider," with tiny blood vessels radiating out from a central larger blood vessel. Spider angiomas are usually deep red but will fade easily when you press on the lesion with your finger.
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Spider Angioma  A parent's guide to condition and treatment information

Picture of Spider Angioma: This image displays a spider angioma. Divider line
This image displays a spider angioma.
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Overview
A spider angioma is a common, mild (benign) skin condition that appears as a small red spot or bump on the surface of the skin.

A spider angioma is a grouping of small blood vessels at the skin surface. A central, "feeder" vessel is unusually dilated, and it separates into multiple smaller vessels radiating away from it. The pattern sometimes resembles the threads of a spider's web. Pressing on the central portion of a spider angioma may cause the entire lesion to disappear, but the central part (which looks like a spider's body) and the extensions (the spider's legs) rapidly refill with blood once the pressure is released.

As a child grows older, the spider angioma usually fades and even disappears completely.
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Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008
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