Where can Spider Veins Form?

• 21 July 2024
• Dr Zil Yassine

Last updated on July 21, 2024

Where can spider veins form? Spider veins are tiny, blown-up capillaries and venules. Since you have capillaries and venules all over your body, spider veins can appear pretty much anywhere. However, they are most likely to form on the legs and face.

Facial spider veins

Spider veins appear on the face for various reasons. 

• Rosacea is an inflammatory condition that causes redness and inflammation of the skin, sometimes leading to spider veins
• Excess sun exposure. The face is generally more exposed to sunlight than the rest of your body. Over time, excessive exposure and lack of protection can lead to collagen breakdown, causing skin and blood vessel damage
• Excess heat exposure. Too-hot weather, showers, and baths may stress out the blood vessels, causing them to expand past normal heat dilation
• Pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnancy causes hormone fluctuations and doubles blood volume. Childbirth, meanwhile, is a very strenuous process that can stress the veins around your body, your face included

Spider veins on the legs and feet

Spider veins typically appear on the legs and feet due to gravity, though there may be other reasons behind their formation.

• The leg and foot veins are under a lot of daily pressure. They fight against gravity to keep blood moving to the heart. Over time, they may degrade under the strain, leading to enlarged veins.
• They may also form due to underlying varicose or feeder veins. These are larger veins forming due to faulty valves and pooling blood.
• Excess sun exposure, heat, pregnancy, genetics, and childbirth may also contribute.

Spider veins in the hands and arms

The hand and arm veins may not undergo as much gravitational pressure as leg and foot veins, but they can still be affected by it. The hands may also get spider veins because they naturally have less fat and muscle than other parts of your body. Over time, ageing weakens the skin in the hands, making it more likely for spider veins to form there.

Spider veins in the groin

The vulva and scrotum may also develop spider veins. In women, this is most often the result of pregnancy and childbirth, where increased strain on the abdominal and pelvic veins causes them to expand. In men, it’s usually due to hormonal changes and rapid growth during adolescence. 

Chest spider veins

Chest veins don’t have the same gravitational problems those in the legs do. They’re also not exposed to sunlight as much as the face. However, they may still form due to:

• Breast augmentation. The procedure may damage some veins and capillaries. It also stretches the skin, which may stress out blood vessels
• Pregnancy. Hormonal changes and increased blood volume are factors here, but so is an increase in chest size in preparation for milk production.
• Underlying disorders. Scleroderma, Cushing’s syndrome, and fatty liver disease are known to cause spider veins in the torso.

Where can spider veins form: the takeaway

Spider veins can form anywhere, but due to sun exposure, gravity, and certain underlying conditions most often appear on the legs and face. If you have spider veins, don’t worry: the condition isn’t dangerous and is largely cosmetic, meaning it’s unlikely to cause uncomfortable symptoms on its own. There are also plenty of treatment options available. 

At Spider Veins Australia, we specialise in spider vein leg treatment. To book your consultation, call us on 0483948908 or fill out the form below.

About The Author

Dr Zil Yassine

Dr Zil Yassine is a practising doctor of over 15 years and an expert in non-invasive varicose vein treatments. Zil is dedicated and passionate about vascular health and staying up-to-date on the latest technology. Providing patients with the best care is Zil’s number one priority. As the Medical Director of The Vein Institute, he’s responsible for training doctors to diagnose vein diseases and ensuring they perform treatments to the highest standard. Dr Zil proudly holds a Bachelor of Medicine (UNSW), Diploma of Diagnostic Ultrasound in Phlebology (ACP), and is a fellow of FRACGP, F(Phleb UK).