Telangiectasia and Scleroderma Video Presented by Amanda Thorpe
Telangiectasia are dilated superficial blood vessels. They may occur in rosacea, in certain systemic diseases (ataxia-telangiectasia, scleroderma), or in long-term therapy with topical fluorinated corticosteroids; most cases are idiopathic (of unknown cause). Telangiectasia may also occur as a component of inherited disorders, including ataxia-telangiectasia and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. The Merck Manual.
Photo 1: Telangiectasia on hand (circled) from ISN Photo Repository.
Photo 2: The dilation of small vessels and capillaries can cause flat red marks to appear anywhere on the body, but primarily on the neck, nose, cheeks, and chin, and sometimes on the tongue.
Scleroderma can cause telangiectasia on the face and/or hands, and the presence of telangiectasia on the face and/or hands counts as one of the criteria for diagnosing CREST Syndrome For a diagnosis of CREST, which represents either Limited or Diffuse systemic sclerosis, the patient must have two or more of the following: Calcinosis — Raynaud's — Esophagus Problems — Sclerodactyly (tight skin on fingers or toes) — Telangiectasia.
Telangiectasia frequently appear on the trunk and extremities of healthy people and so although you may have them there also, those telangiectasia do not count towards a CREST diagnosis.
Sometimes you can clearly see that these are little spider veins; in other cases the spider veins are "bunched up" and appear to be a rash or blemish at first glance. However, if you pull the skin apart there, you will see that it is actually a spider vein, or a dilated blood vessel, and so it is actually a Telangiectasia (rather than a rash or pimple.)
Generalized Essential Telangiectasia. Essential or primary telangiectasia refers to capillary dilation of unknown origin. No preceding or coexisting skin or internal disease is present. Generalised essential telangiectasia (GET) is just one type of primary telangiectasia and is given this name because of its widespread distribution pattern over the body. Other primary telangiectases include angioma serpiginosum, ataxia telangiectasia, angiomas and spider naevi. DermNet NZ.
Treatment
Telangiectasias can be covered with makeup or a dermatologist can remove it with sclerotherapy, laser, or PhotoDerm.
However, "Second Generation" Telangiectasia (ones that return after the first treatment) are often resistant to treatments, so we highly recommend that you (and your dermatologist) read about that situation before starting any course of treatment for telangiectasia.
Cosmetic Warnings
Lipsticks, Perfumes May Be Hazardous to Health. Beware of lipstick-stained lips before puckering up this Valentine’s Day. They could be covered in lead. Reuters first reported that a new study conducted by the FDA found that 400 lipsticks on the market tested positive for lead. ABC News, Medical Division. 02/14/12.
Telangiectasias can be covered with makeup or a dermatologist can remove it with sclerotherapy, laser, or PhotoDerm.
ISN Sclero Forums is our online support group and we have featured discussions about the treatment and coverage of telangiectasia.
Dermacolor Camouflage by Kryolan makeup is an example of longlasting professional makeup, as used by actors and models. When properly applied, it can provide suitable coverage for skin colorations such as telangiectasia, birth marks, and morphea scleroderma. (Also see: Morphea Scleroderma Treatments)
Dermablend ® Corrective Cosmetics is a lighter and less longlasting makeup which may cover telangiectasia and other skin imperfections.
Jane Iredale. Some of our scleroderma and psoriasis site visitors have also reported a more natural look (than Dermablend, which is a thicker foundation) with good coverage plus anti-inflammatory effects from the Jane Iredale line of mineral-based makeup.
Some of the other brands of mineral makeups may also be worth trying, especially non-allergenic product lines.
Patient Stories: Telangiectasia
Alexandra: SclerodermaMy scleroderma symptoms arrived in great style: reflux, itchy swollen skin, joint and muscle pain and tiredness. Plus hundreds of little red spots (telangiectasia). My mouth was tight and getting smaller too...
Alina: Scleroderma CREST SyndromeThis site is very helpful as I have been reading articles of people with my condition and can relate to what they are going through...
Barbara H: Generalized Essential TelangiectasiaAbout five years ago some specialists at St, Vincents Hospital had a symposium and I was one of the subjects but they did not have anything to assist me. Laser could help but was very expensive...
Carol C: CREST SyndromeScleroderma and Raynaud's have not robbed me of a fulfilling career...
Chloe S: TelangiectasiaIt is kind of like little red broken-up birthmarks all over my body...
Craig R: CREST SclerodermaI had my first scleroderma symptoms at age twenty-two, which included severe Raynaud's with some ulceration and tissue loss...
Debby: CREST SclerodermaIt was then everything added up— that I did not have several different conditions, but rather they were all part of the CREST...
Dienne: Morphea plus possible CRESTI finally saw a rheumatologist about six years ago, who told me I had Raynaud's and Telangiectasia (spider veins)...
Helen P: CREST SclerodermaI was diagnosed ten years ago when the symptoms kicked in with a vengeance following a very traumatic personal tragedy...
Iceback: CREST or Limited SclerodermaNever having heard of scleroderma, I never really asked any questions when he told me and went home to look it up on the Internet...
Jacquie: Diffuse SclerodermaI am fifty-six years old and I was diagnosed with systemic scleroderma in November of 2003, right when menopause hit...
Joy W: CREST SclerodermaTwo months after my fortieth birthday, I was diagnosed with CREST scleroderma with Raynaud's...
Kathi: Scleroderma/LupusI am forty-three years old and have not been feeling well for ten years...
Lois: Fibromyalgia with Possible CRESTWhen I read Carla's story it almost sounded like mine! When I was in tenth grade, Raynaud's started and a horrible kind of rash...
Marthie D: CREST SclerodermaI live in a small town, which developed around a chemical and petrochemical industry in this area in South Africa...
Melissa: CREST PlusI would love to hear from anyone who knows about CREST...
Olga: Difficult DiagnosisRecently I came across www.sclero.org while researching my illness that has not been recognized neither in my native country nor in Italy, where I moved twelve years ago to escape from cold winters which have destroyed my skin...
Paolina F: Essential TelangiectasiaIt initially started on my feet and has progressed to most of my legs, arms, and I have some spots on my torso...
Peggy: CREST and Raynaud'sYears later, at fifty-six, my family doc said he thought I had scleroderma because I was having trouble with my hands, and my fingers looked like sausages...
Rosie: Limited Systemic Sclerosis (Australia) Some of my symptoms may not be due to limited scleroderma, however most of these symptoms have appeared since my diagnosis...
Sam H: TelangiectasiaI have had telangiectasias since I was two years old. I am now fourteen...
Yvonne Frasure: CREST and FibromyalgiaI no longer go to the doctor because I simply cannot afford it. I cannot get insurance so everything is out of pocket...
References
(1) Dermatologic Disorders: Diagnosis of Skin Diseases - Telangiectasia. The Merck Manual.
(2) Telangiectasia definition: Derived from Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.
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Photo 2: The dilation of small vessels and capillaries can cause flat red marks to appear anywhere on the body, but primarily on the neck, nose, cheeks, and chin, and sometimes on the tongue.
Audio pronunciation for "telangiectasia" from m-w.com
