Spider angioma

Spider angioma
Other names	Nevus araneus, spider nevus, vascular spider, spider telangiectasia[1]
Non-benign angiomas indicating cirrhosis
Specialty	Dermatology

A spider angioma or spider naevus (plural: spider naevi), also nevus araneus, is a type of telangiectasis^[2] (swollen, spider-like blood vessels on the skin) found slightly beneath the skin's surface, often containing a central red spot and deep reddish extensions (see Blood color) which radiate outwards like a spider's web or a spider's legs. They are common and often benign, presenting in around 10–15% of healthy adults and young children.^[3] However, having more than three spider angiomas is likely to be abnormal and may be a sign of liver disease and/or hepatitis C (HCV virus);^[4] it also suggests the probability of esophageal varices.^[5]