A spider nevus, also called a spider nevus or nevus araneus, is a skin sign that occurs in chronic liver disease. The name is derived from the English word for spider, "spider", and "naevus" for birthmark. A spider nevus is a visible enlargement of arterial vessels and can be several centimeters in diameter. The shape is star-shaped or spider-shaped, hence the name Spider naevus. The nevi often appear on the face, forehead, neck and chest wall.
Spider naevi develop in association with various chronic liver diseases. The chronic connective tissue disease scleroderma or the CREST syndrome, a special form of scleroderma, can also lead to the formation of spider naevi.
$config[ads_text1] not found
The benign changes can occur in childhood and in pregnant women.
If they develop during pregnancy, they usually regress after delivery.
In addition, above-average solar radiation (UV radiation) can promote the development of a spider nevus.
Overall, it has been shown that the development of a spider nevus can have different causes. In most cases, these are benign changes in the arterial blood vessels of the skin.
While there are clear causes in connection with the formation of Spider naevi, the exact origin of the marks has not yet been clarified. One possible hypothesis is a local lack of oxygen, which favors the release of growth factors. The released growth factors lead to increased vascular growth and spider naevi develop.
The Spider naevi occur mainly in areas of the skin that are exposed to light. The face, forehead and neck are particularly often affected. In addition, the changes also occur in the chest area, i.e. on the upper trunk, and on the arms and hands.
$config[ads_text2] not foundA visual diagnosis is typically made in the case of a spidermanevus. The Spider naevus has a characteristic, star-shaped appearance. The attending physician will talk to the person concerned about the temporal course of the nevus formation and other possible symptoms. A detailed examination of the nevus is carried out using a magnifying glass and a physical examination with keys and listening to the abdominal organs. As a rule, a blood sample is taken and the liver and hormone values checked. Depending on the suspected diagnosis of a possible liver disease or other cause, a referral to a specialist may be made.
A spider nevus is usually 0.2 to 1.0 centimeters tall, but can also be several centimeters tall. It is a vasodilatation with a small, red, point-like, raised vascular node in the middle. From this vascular nodule, small vessels run outward like a spider web or star-shaped. The Spider Naevi are found on light-exposed skin and are therefore often found on the head, forehead and neck. There are also Spider Naevi in the area of the trunk and on the hands.
A spider naevus does not normally require treatment. The cause of the change should be investigated and treated if necessary. If the spider nevus is bothersome for cosmetic reasons, the spider nevus can be removed with a laser or a diathermy needle.
$config[ads_text3] not found
Spider naevi can be removed with a medical laser. For this purpose, depth lasers are used, which treat the enlarged vessels by means of heat coagulation. Several laser sessions may be necessary for the Spider naevi to disappear completely.
Since Spider naevi are arterial vasodilatations of the skin, there are no home remedies that can eliminate these changes.
$config[ads_text2] not foundSpider naevi are small changes on the surface of the skin caused by changes in blood vessels. The number and temporal development of the formation of the nevi depend, just like the prognosis, on the underlying cause of the nevi. If severe liver disease is the root cause of the symptoms, the stage and treatment of the liver disease will determine the prognosis.
A disease must be ruled out, especially when there are many and dense Spider naevi. Cosmetic removal can remove the benign vascular changes. If Spider naevi develop due to hormones, for example during pregnancy, the changes often regress after delivery.
