Broken capillaries, “spider veins”, are small blood vessels that have become dilated and appear on the surface of the skin. They are most commonly found on the legs but can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, breasts, and hands. These dilated blood vessels are usually flat and red and look like a spider web or a tree with branches. Spider veins are generally harmless, but on rare occasions, they can indicate a disorder of the veins.
Causes. The exact cause of spider and varicose veins remains unknown, but several factors, including pregnancy, and a family history of spider veins can increase a person’s chance of developing spider veins.
Treatment. Treatment for spider veins include:
• Sclerotherapy – the most common treatment
• Laser treatments
• Electrodessication
(Source: Vivicare Inc.)