Telangiectasia

Vascular ectasias; Spider veins

Telangiectasias may develop anywhere within the body. But they are most easily seen on the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes. Usually, they do not cause symptoms. Some telangiectasias bleed and cause significant problems. Telangiectasias may also occur in the brain and cause major problems from bleeding.

Causes may include:

• Rosacea
• Aging
• Genetics
• Pregnancy
• Sun exposure
• Varicose veins

Diseases associated with this condition include:

• Ataxia - telangiectasia
• Bloom syndrome
• Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita
• Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome)
• Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome
• Nevus flammeus such as port-wine stain
• Rosacea
• Spider angioma
• Sturge-Weber disease
• Xeroderma pigmentosa

Call your health care provider if you notice enlarged vessels in the skin, mucous membranes, or eyes.

The provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms, including:

• Where are the blood vessels located?
• Do they bleed easily and without reason?
• What other symptoms are present?

Tests may be needed to diagnose or rule out a medical condition. Tests may include:

• Blood tests
• CT scans
• Liver function studies
• MRI scans
• X-rays

Sclerotherapy is the treatment for telangectasias on the legs. In this procedure, a saline (salt) solution or other chemical is injected directly into the spider veins on the legs. Laser treatment is typically used to treat telangiectasias of the face.