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Telangiectasia

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Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Angioma serpiginosum
Angioma serpiginosum
Telangiectasia - legs
Telangiectasia - legs
Telangiectasias - upper arm
Telangiectasias - upper arm

Alternative Names    Return to top

Vascular ectasias

Definition    Return to top

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

Considerations    Return to top

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    Return to top

Causes may include:

Diseases associated with this condition include:

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call your health care provider if you notice enlarged vessels in the skin, mucous membranes, or eyes.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit    Return to top

The doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the symptoms, including:

Tests may be needed to diagnose or rule out a medical condition. Such tests may include:

Update Date: 4/16/2007

Updated by: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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