Occasionally, lesions recur. Local anesthesia prior to therapy is optional in adults but advisable in children. Intradermal injection of 0.1-0.2 mL physiological saline solution produces brief complete anesthesia of the site and does not sting on injection. This represents a viable alternative to Xylocaine. Usually, disappearance of the spider angioma follows electrodesiccation.
Recurrences are common.
To perform electrodesiccation, move the blood out of the spider by pressing firmly on the lesion. With continuous pressure, slightly move the finger to one side to expose the central arteriole. Then, gently electrodesiccate the central arteriole. If the arteriole is destroyed, radiating capillaries may not fill. Incompletely destroyed lesions may recur.