Two of the most common vein issues that people encounter include spider and varicose veins. While both appear most frequently on the legs, there are some notable differences between the two.
Spider veins can look like one of three patterns. They might look like a spider, with veins spreading out from a dark center point. They may also look like branches or thin, separate lines. Linear spider veins are commonly seen on the inner knee, whereas arborizing patterns often appear on the outer thigh in sunburst or cartwheel shapes.
Spider veins are red or blue and can also appear on the face. They are close to the skin’s surface, while varicose veins are deeper, sometimes found in the calf muscles.
Varicose veins are bigger than spider veins. They are usually wider than a quarter-inch, dark, and stick out from the skin. They can cause pain and might be a sign of more serious vein issues. Often, surgery is needed to fix varicose veins.