Telangiectasias are small blood vessels on the skin. They are usually meaningless, but may be associated with several diseases.

Vascular ectasias

Telangiectasias may develop anywhere within the body but can be easily seen in the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes. Usually, they do not cause symptoms. However, some telangiectasias bleed and cause significant problems. Telangiectasias may also occur in the brain and cause major problems from bleeding.

Causes may include:

• Alcohol use
• Aging
• Sun exposure

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
• Spider angioma
• Sturge-Weber disease
• Xeroderma pigmentosa

Images

Telangiectasias - upper arm

Telangiectasia - legs

Angioma serpiginosum

Next Section

Telangiectasia Treatment

Review Date: 04/15/2009
Reviewed By: Jonathan Kantor, M.D., North Florida Dermatology Associates, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)