Telangiectasia is a small widening of a blood vessel in the skin or mucous membrane, visible to the naked eye. It's commonly known as “spider veins”. These fine vessels can form anywhere on the body, regardless of age or sex. They're seen more often in fair-skinned individuals with excessive sun exposure. They can accompany certain conditions. They're usually harmless. They don't cause bleeding, but do cause cosmetic concern. Treatment can involve cauterisation methods such as cautery or cryotherapy, though the gold standard is ‘laser’ treatments. Sclerotherapy can be used for larger vessels and those located on the legs.
The information on this page is for informational purposes only and does not replace a doctor's diagnosis or examination.