Telangiectasia refers to the presence of small, widened blood vessels in the skin. Telangiectasias are also known as "spider veins." They are often present on the face (cheeks, nose, lips, eyes). They are generally not a sign of a serious problem, but in some cases, they can be related to serious medical conditions like hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT).
More common causes of telangiectasias include
- pregnancy,
- aging,
- alcohol abuse, and
- the use of corticosteroids or other specific medications.
Telangiectasias can sometimes be associated with pain or itching.
Other causes of telangiectasia
- Aging
- Ataxia-Telangiectasia
- Bloom Syndrome
- Corticosteroid Drug Use
- CREST Syndrome
- Cutis Marmorata Telangiectatica Congenita
- Dermatomyositis
- Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT)
- Medications
- Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome
- Sturge Weber Disease
- Sun Exposure
- Trauma
- Xeroderma Pigmentosum
IMAGES
Eczema Browse our medical image collection of allergic skin disorders such as psoriasis and dermatitis and more caused by allergies See ImagesPictures, Images, Illustrations & Quizzes
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Picture of Ataxia Telangiectasia (Ear)
There are telangiectasias on the ear of this child. See a picture of Ataxia Telangiectasia (Ear) and learn more about the health...
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Picture of Ataxia Telangiectasia (Legs)
Hirsutism on the lower legs and ecchymoses secondary to ataxia and numerous falls. See a picture of Ataxia Telangiectasia (Legs)...
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Picture of Ataxia-telangiectasia
A progressive neurodegenerative genetic disease characterized by cerebellar ataxia, ocular telangiectasia, immune defects, and a...
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Picture of Facial Telangiectasias
Facial telangiectasias are dilated vessels appearing superficially in the dermis mostly on the alae nasi. Telangiectasias are...
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Picture of Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia
A genetic disease characterized by the presence of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) which involve direct connections between...
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Picture of Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia on Eye
Telangiectases on the bulbar conjuctiva. See a Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia on Eye and learn more about the health topic.
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Picture of Telangiectasias after Treatment
Post-treatment erythema immediately after intense pulsed light treatment. See a picture of Telangiectasias after Treatment and...
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Picture of Telangiectasias Before Treatment
Prominent facial telangiectasias prior to treatment with intense pulse light. See a picture of Telangiectasias before Treatment...
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Causes of Telangiectasia
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Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law. It can cause myriad health problems, including cirrhosis of the liver, birth defects, heart disease, stroke, psychological problems, and dementia. Counseling and a few medications can be effective for alcoholism treatment.
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Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome
Klippel-Trènaunay-Weber (KTW) syndrome is a condition characterized by: port-wine stains or birthmark malformations in the skin, soft tissue and bony growths (generally involving a limb), and vascular anomalies (varicose veins). Although these three symptoms are consistently found in patients with Klippel-Trènaunay-Weber syndrome, there are other symptoms, which include atrophy (a limb that is underdeveloped), fingers and toes that are disproportionately large or small, digits that are webbed (syndactyly), too many digits (polydactyly), or too few digits (oligodactyly). The cause of Klippel-Trènaunay-Weber syndrome is not known. However, recently there have been some cases that run in families. There is no significant treatment for Klippel-Trènaunay-Weber syndrome.
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Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE)
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a condition characterized by chronic inflammation of body tissues caused by autoimmune disease. Lupus can cause disease of the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, and nervous system. When only the skin is involved, the condition is called discoid lupus. When internal organs are involved, the condition is called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
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Pregnancy (Week by Week, Trimesters)
Signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary by stage (trimester). The earliest pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others include breast swelling and tenderness, nausea and sometimes vomiting, fatigue, and bloating. Second trimester symptoms include backache, weight gain, itching, and possible stretch marks. Third trimester symptoms are additional weight gain, heartburn, hemorrhoids, swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face, breast tenderness, and trouble sleeping. Eating a healthy diet, getting a moderate amount of exercise, also are recommended for a healthy pregnancy. Information about the week by week growth of your baby in the womb are provided.
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Rosacea
Rosacea is a skin disease that causes redness of the forehead, chin, and lower half of the nose. In addition to inflammation of the facial skin, symptoms include dilation of the blood vessels and pimples (acne rosacea) in the middle third of the face. Oral and topical antibiotics are treatments for rosacea. If left untreated, rhinophyma (a disfiguring nose condition) may result.
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Scleroderma
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue. It is characterized by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and organs of the body, leading to thickness and firmness of involved areas. Scleroderma is also referred to as systemic sclerosis, and the cause is unknown. Treatment of scleroderma is directed toward the individual features that are most troubling to the patient.
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