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Telangiectasias: Causes and Treatment Options

Written By Center for Vein Restoration
Blog Telangiectasias
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Telangiectasias, commonly called spider veins, are swollen, damaged blood vessels with an unsightly cosmetic appearance. They can form anywhere, but they’re most often visible on areas of the skin’s surface and the whites of the eyes.

It isn’t always clear why telangiectasias form, who has a higher risk of developing them, or the best way to treat them — but seeking guidance from a board-certified Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) physician can walk you through each option with care based on your specific symptoms, medical history, and desired results. Let’s look at some of the most common causes and treatment options for telangiectasias.

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Telangiectasias: Causes and Risk Factors

According to Healthline, the specific cause of telangiectasias is still unknown, but researchers believe most cases are connected to extreme temperatures or chronic sun exposure. This line of thinking is due to the areas where telangiectasias often appear on the body, which align with areas that are regularly exposed to air and sunlight.

Other potential telangiectasia causes include:

  • Trauma or injury to the affected area: Irritates the skin and muscle tissue
  • Excessive alcohol consumption: May cause liver disease and can impact blood flow
  • Aging: Blood vessels can weaken with age
  • Long-term topical or oral corticosteroid use: Weakens and thins the skin
  • Pregnancy: Frequently puts a large amount of pressure on small veins

According to MedicalNewsToday, telangiectasias typically don’t cause any symptoms, but they can occasionally bleed, and the effects can be serious if the bleeding happens near or inside the brain.

While we’ve detailed several possible causes for telangiectasias above, it’s important to recognize that many related medical conditions may contribute to their occurrence, according to PennMedicine. Related medical conditions include:

  • Rosacea: Expanded small veins in the face create a flushed look on the nose and cheeks
  • Bloom Syndrome: Genetic disease that results in short stature, redness of the face, and skin sensitivity to ultraviolet rays
  • Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome: Also called Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, an inherited disorder that causes arteriovenous malformations to form between veins and arteries, most commonly affecting the lungs, nose, liver, and brain
  • Nevus flammeus: A permanent birthmark, typically on the face, that may grow larger, thicker, and darker over time
  • Cutis Marmorata Telangiectatica Congenita: A rare skin disease caused as a result of abnormal blood vessels that form as patches of redness
  • Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome: Identified by soft tissue problems, varicose veins, and a port-wine stain
  • Sturge-Weber Disease: A condition connected to nervous system issues and a port-wine stain
  • Lupus: Chronic immune system illness that can affect the joints, kidneys, skin, brain, blood cells, lungs, and heart
  • CREST Syndrome: A form of scleroderma connected to the growth of scar-like tissue in the skin and other parts of the body that harms the cell lining of the small arteries
  • Xeroderma Pigmentosum: Condition that causes the skin and the tissue covering the eye to be extremely sensitive to ultraviolet light
  • Ataxia-telangiectasia: Condition affecting balance, skin, coordination, and other parts of the body

Seeking Telangiectasia Treatment

The goal of telangiectasia treatment is to improve the skin’s appearance. Sclerotherapy and laser therapy are two minimally invasive and non-surgical procedures that have been found effective.

Sclerotherapy: Visual and Foam

Sclerotherapy is typically performed on telangiectasias on the legs. The procedure involves a needle during the injection of a special solution, called a sclerosant, into the veins being targeted. The solution irritates the lining of the blood vessels and makes them expand, stick together, and scar. The procedure ultimately closes off the vein and improves patients’ well-being.

CVR offers patients two fast and effective types of sclerotherapy: visual and foam. Let’s break down the differences in each.

Visual Sclerotherapy

Visual sclerotherapy is a fast, affordable, and effective solution to telangiectasias, and it is frequently considered their preferred treatment method. Visual sclerotherapy is often used for minor, primarily cosmetic concerns, which means it likely won’t be covered by medical insurance. Still, visual sclerotherapy can fade the appearance of telangiectasias in just a few weeks and can improve the severity of associated symptoms like cramping, swelling, and burning.

Visual sclerotherapy targets veins with a smaller diameter than varicose veins. The procedure requires no anesthesia, recovery time, or incisions and enables patients to return to their normal activity afterward. This is because of how it’s performed — without requiring any imaging equipment, instead with a visual inspection from a vein expert. If your telangiectasias are small and you’re mainly looking to boost your quality of life with a simple and effective cosmetic treatment, visual sclerotherapy may be just right.

Foam Sclerotherapy

Not only does ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy eliminate the cosmetic concerns many people use it for, but it also addresses the physical symptoms that can accompany telangiectasias. During foam sclerotherapy, your vein care specialist will use the help of ultrasonography to find and gently insert the needle containing the sclerosant into the vein undergoing treatment. The procedure is used for deeper veins that aren’t as close to the surface of the skin. Patients can quickly resume normal activity, though they are advised to avoid strenuous exercise for a day or two after the procedure.

Visual vs. Foam Sclerotherapy for Telangiectasias

While visual and foam sclerotherapy have similar effects, they’re often used for different types of veins. Visual sclerotherapy is most effective for superficial veins, while the ultrasound used in foam sclerotherapy accurately targets deeper veins. Your board-certified CVR physician will review your symptoms and review both procedures with you before making a recommendation.

Telangiectasias: Management Through Self-Care

Whether you’ve received visual sclerotherapy or foam sclerotherapy, or you’re still exploring telangiectasia treatment options, you can give your vascular health a boost by prioritizing proper self-care. Improve your circulation by:

  • Avoiding sitting or standing for long periods of time
  • Developing a regular fitness routine
  • Maintaining a healthy body weight
  • Elevating your legs above your heart to improve circulation
  • Wearing medical-grade compression stockings with a proper fit

Ultimately, telangiectasias may be uncomfortable or bothersome, but remember that treatment options are worth exploring to enhance all aspects of your well-being. That’s where the board-certified vein experts at CVR come in. As America’s largest physician-led vein center, CVR will gladly walk with you through your vascular care journey. With more than 110 vein clinics nationwide, our state-of-the-art treatments have a 98 percent satisfaction rating.

Call 240-965-3915 to speak to a Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at a CVR near you today.

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