Those annoying, unattractive spider veins, which appear as small red, blue or purple lines, are actually enlarged capillaries. Usually less than 2 millimeters in diameter, they are sometimes raised from the surface of your skin. The most common problems for patients with spider veins are the presence of purplish or reddish lines or web-like discolorations. Pain in the legs, throbbing, itching, cramping, and restlessness of the leg may occur but are not common.