Telangiectasia
Definition
Telangiectasias are small blood vessels on the skin. They are usually meaningless, but may be associated with several diseases.
Alternative Names
Vascular ectasiasConsiderations
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
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
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