Telangiectasia

Telangiectasias are small blood vessels that have gotten larger or wider. When they are on the skin, they look like fine lines that branch out. They can be different colors such as red, blue, or purple. They are sometimes called spider veins.

Some types of telangiectasias may appear inside the mouth or nose, on the palms of the hands, or on the soles of the feet. They may also extend to the internal organs, such as the stomach, liver, brain, and lungs.

Telangiectasias usually don't cause symptoms. But for some people, they may cause mild itching or burning or an achy feeling. Having a lot of telangiectasias on your face may cause your face to look flushed and red. If they extend to an internal organ, they may bleed or cause problems with that organ.

Your doctor usually can tell if you have telangiectasias by looking at your skin. If your doctor thinks you may have a condition that causes telangiectasias in your internal organs, the doctor may order a blood test or an imaging test, such as an ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI.

Telangiectasias on the skin or in the mouth usually don't need treatment. But if you don't like the way they look, there are cosmetic treatments that can help. For example:

• Special makeup might hide the blood vessels.
• Sclerotherapy, in which a chemical is injected into the blood vessels, can make the blood vessels fade or disappear.
• Laser treatments can make the blood vessels fade or disappear. They can also help reduce facial redness.

If you are bothered by how the blood vessels look, you can try clothing or special makeup to cover them. If a blood vessel bleeds, apply pressure and prop up the affected area, if possible.