How can you distinguish spider veins from varicose veins?

Answers from doctors (15)


Finesse Surgical Solutions

Published on Apr 30, 2013

Spider veins (telangiectasias) are fine, dilated veins in the dermis (the bottom layer of the skin). They are red, blue or purple. Spider veins can be scattered, or they may occur in clusters, flares or burst patterns. Varicose veins are in larger, obviously dilated (swollen) veins below the skin.

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Answered by Finesse Surgical Solutions

Spider veins (telangiectasias) are fine, dilated veins in the dermis (the bottom layer of the skin). They are red, blue or purple. Spider veins can be scattered, or they may occur in clusters, flares or burst patterns. Varicose veins are in larger, obviously dilated (swollen) veins below the skin.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Mar 12, 2013

Spider veins are thinner, smaller, and usually pink or blue. Varicose veins are larger, grape-like and light green in color.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

Spider veins are thinner, smaller, and usually pink or blue. Varicose veins are larger, grape-like and light green in color.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Tulane Heart & Vascular Institute

Published on Mar 07, 2013

Spider veins are generally less than 1 millimeter, while varicose veins are greater than 1 millimeter.

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Answered by Tulane Heart & Vascular Institute

Spider veins are generally less than 1 millimeter, while varicose veins are greater than 1 millimeter.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Feb 28, 2013

Spider veins are small; varicose veins are large and they bulge out.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Spider veins are small; varicose veins are large and they bulge out.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on Feb 27, 2013

Varicose veins are skin-colored and start at approximately 4mm in diameter. Spider veins range from 0.2 mm to 3 mm in diameter and are red, blue or purple in color.

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Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

Varicose veins are skin-colored and start at approximately 4mm in diameter. Spider veins range from 0.2 mm to 3 mm in diameter and are red, blue or purple in color.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Feb 27, 2013

Spider veins are tiny red or blue vessels less than 1 mm. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are much larger and bulging. They tend to be 3 mm to 10 mm in diameter.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

Spider veins are tiny red or blue vessels less than 1 mm. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are much larger and bulging. They tend to be 3 mm to 10 mm in diameter.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Milford Vascular Institute

Published on Feb 27, 2013

Diseased veins are named according to size. Varicose veins are typically 3-4mm or bigger.

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Answered by Milford Vascular Institute

Diseased veins are named according to size. Varicose veins are typically 3-4mm or bigger.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Columbia Doctors Interventional Radiology

Published on Feb 27, 2013

Spider veins are tiny, hair-sized veins that are either red or blue. They are visible and very superficial. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are large and bulge. They may be superficial or deep and may not always be seen.

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Answered by Columbia Doctors Interventional Radiology

Spider veins are tiny, hair-sized veins that are either red or blue. They are visible and very superficial. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are large and bulge. They may be superficial or deep and may not always be seen.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jun 04, 2012

Spider veins look like small spider legs at the surface of the skin and can be red or blue. They are generally only a few millimeters in size. Varicose veins are large grape-like veins that are blue or purple and actually bulge up under the skin.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Spider veins look like small spider legs at the surface of the skin and can be red or blue. They are generally only a few millimeters in size. Varicose veins are large grape-like veins that are blue or purple and actually bulge up under the skin.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Mar 14, 2010

Varicose veins are larger and bulge out. Most patients tend to have a lot more pain, swelling and other symptoms with varicose veins vs. spider veins.
To answer your question with more precisely: essentially, as we currently understand, the same characteristics apply to both spider and varicose veins. Through tradition, they have been separated on the basis of size. Most classifications define spider telangiactasias as 1-2 millimeters, reticular varicose veins 3-4 mm, and all larger veins as varicose.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

Varicose veins are larger and bulge out. Most patients tend to have a lot more pain, swelling and other symptoms with varicose veins vs. spider veins.
To answer your question with more precisely: essentially, as we currently understand, the same characteristics apply to both spider and varicose veins. Through tradition, they have been separated on the basis of size. Most classifications define spider telangiactasias as 1-2 millimeters, reticular varicose veins 3-4 mm, and all larger veins as varicose.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Miller Vein

Published on Mar 12, 2010

The short answer is size. Tiny thread like veins are spider veins. Large ropey veins that protrude from the skin are varicose.

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Answered by Miller Vein

The short answer is size. Tiny thread like veins are spider veins. Large ropey veins that protrude from the skin are varicose.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Mar 11, 2010

Varicose veins are the large ones and spiders are the tiny blue or red vein that aren't bulging.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Varicose veins are the large ones and spiders are the tiny blue or red vein that aren't bulging.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinSolutions - Edina

Published on Mar 11, 2010

Varicose veins are larger and bulge out. Most patients tend to have a lot more pain, swelling and other symptoms with varicose veins vs. spider veins.

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Answered by VeinSolutions - Edina

Varicose veins are larger and bulge out. Most patients tend to have a lot more pain, swelling and other symptoms with varicose veins vs. spider veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Center for Venous Disease - Glendale

Published on Mar 11, 2010

If you have a great deal of spider veins, you may have venous reflux. Please schedule an appointment to rule this out. You'll need a duplex ultrasound done on your legs. A discussion with our doctor will help you understand your options.

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Answered by Center for Venous Disease - Glendale

If you have a great deal of spider veins, you may have venous reflux. Please schedule an appointment to rule this out. You'll need a duplex ultrasound done on your legs. A discussion with our doctor will help you understand your options.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Angelo N. Makris MD

Published on Mar 11, 2010

As a general rule of thumb, spider veins are small and do not bulge, varicose veins bulge.

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Answered by Angelo N. Makris MD

As a general rule of thumb, spider veins are small and do not bulge, varicose veins bulge.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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