A 35-year-old member asked:
is it possible to distinguish between varicose veins spider veins and blood clots?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. John Landi answered
Phlebology 47 years experience
Vein specialist: Spider veins look like spider legs and are usually blue or red and very tiny(1-2 mm) and are several mm to cm long. Varicose veins are large bluish colored veins that are grape-like in appearance. Clots can be superficial on the skin , tender and easy to feel or deep below the skin requiring ultrasound to see associated with pain and swelling. You should see a vein specialist for an evaluation.
5042 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Douglas Joyce answered
Phlebology 40 years experience
See vein specialist: These questions can easily answered by a physician that specializes in venous disease. Spider veins are small surface veins. Varicose veins are larger often protruding veins. Blood clots are a completely different matter.
4982 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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