Understanding Thread Veins and Spider Veins
Thread veins are small red or purple blood vessels that often occur in patches on the legs and face. Because they resemble fine webs, they are commonly referred to as spider veins. Another medical term sometimes used is naevi. Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, are not the same as varicose veins. Varicose veins are larger, swollen veins that usually affect the legs, whereas spider veins are delicate, superficial vessels that tend to develop in clusters.
Spider veins usually take on one of three characteristic patterns (see side photo A, B & C). They may appear as thin, separate lines as in type A, they may resemble tiny branch‑like shapes as in type B, or they may form a true spider pattern with veins radiating outward from a dark central point as in type C. Type A is most commonly seen on the inner knee, while the branching pattern of type B often appears on the outer thigh in a sunburst or cartwheel distribution. These patterns are well recognised and help guide treatment planning.
At The Vein Clinic, we specialise in the safe and effective treatment of thread veins using sclerotherapy. This minimally invasive technique involves carefully injecting a solution into the affected veins, causing them to collapse and fade over time. The treatment has an excellent safety record, requires little downtime, and provides long‑lasting cosmetic improvement when combined with good aftercare.