Symptomatic telangiectasia is dilated blood vessels on the skin that are visible to the naked eye. The symptomatic telangiectasias are extremely diverse and therefore, in principle, all telangiectasias should be clarified by a doctor.
What is symptomatic telangiectasia?
In principle, small blood or capillary vessels are visible on the skin in the context of telangiectasia. These are enlargements of the vessels that are so large and so close beneath the surface of the skin that they can be seen fairly clearly even with the naked eye. In addition, the term telangiectasia is also used when only a single dilated blood vessel is visible under the skin. For what is balkan nephropathy, please visit gradinmath.com.
The vasodilatations usually appear in the upper layer of the so-called dermis. Telangiectasias are particularly common in the facial area of affected patients. In principle, however, it is possible for telangiectasia to occur on all areas of the skin surface. In some cases, the dilatation of the vessels occurs even in childhood patients.
Strictly speaking, a mere telangiectasia is not a disease. At least the dilated blood vessels under the skin usually have no disease value. Telangiectasia is often just a cosmetic flaw. Symptomatic telangiectasia is different. In terms of its appearance, this does not differ from ordinary telangiectasia. However, it has other causes.
Because symptomatic telangiectasias indicate other, underlying diseases of the person concerned and for this reason they must be taken seriously in any case. This is because symptomatic telangiectasias are themselves a symptom of another disease. Therefore, they may make it easier to diagnose the underlying disease.
For example, basal cell carcinomas, carcinoid syndrome, rosacea or collagenosis are possible . Osler syndrome and spidernaevi are also symptomatic telangiectasias. These diseases may underlie symptomatic telangiectasia.
Causes
The causes of the formation of telangiectasia are different. In principle, a distinction must be made between primary and secondary factors in the development of the dilated vessels. Primary causes for the development of the disease are, for example, an inherited weakness of the connective tissue, poor nutrition or external factors such as UV radiation or weather influences.
It is also possible that the dilation of the vessels develops as a result of excessive caffeine consumption and a high-fat diet. In addition, telangiectasias are favored by alcohol abuse. The vasodilatations also have a hereditary component.
Thus, the risk of developing the disease increases if one parent already suffers from telangiectasia. The secondary causes are related to the symptomatic telangiectasia. Possible underlying diseases are, for example, collagenosis, rosacea, scleroderma, lupus erythematosus or a so-called sarcoidosis.
In addition, in some cases, serious diseases are also accompanied by symptomatic telangiectasia. For example, tumors such as basal cell carcinomas or cirrhosis of the liver come into consideration. Under certain circumstances, the symptomatic telangiectasias develop as a result of the consumption of certain drugs whose side effect is an expansion of the vessels.
This is the case, for example, with ointment-like cortisone. Although telangiectasia is also possible in children, most sufferers are adults. Over the course of life, the strength of the connective tissue decreases, so that blood vessels under the skin become more visible.
Symptoms, Ailments & Signs
Symptomatic telangiectasia usually presents with the same appearance as primary telangiectasia. From the outside, the two forms are almost indistinguishable and cause the same symptoms. Dilated blood vessels, which often shimmer reddish, appear on the skin of the affected persons.
They often occur on the face and hands. In the majority of cases, the symptoms appear between the third and fifth decades of the patient’s life. Symptomatic telangiectasia, for example, indicates diseases such as Louis-Bar syndrome or mycosis fungoides. Dilated blood vessels are particularly dangerous when they occur in the intestines. This increases the risk of bleeding.
Diagnosis & course of disease
In most cases, diagnosing telangiectasia is relatively easy. Because the external appearance of the skin indicates the presence of the disease relatively clearly. However, the search for the underlying diseases in symptomatic telangiectasia is more difficult.
For this reason, any telangiectasia should be examined by a doctor. Caution is particularly important if the symptoms develop in childhood or adolescence and the dilation of the vessels increases rapidly. The underlying disease can be identified by means of numerous clinical examinations.
Complications
The symptomatic telangiectasias are mostly harmless. However, if there is a serious underlying condition, further complications are possible. A typical trigger is, for example, mycosis fungoides, a cancer that, if left untreated, leads to the formation of further metastases in the internal organs. A port-wine stain can also be the underlying cause and lead to serious skin changes over the course of time.
If the dilated blood vessels occur in the intestine, there is an increased risk of bleeding. This can lead to anemia and infections of the gastrointestinal tract. In general, symptomatic telangiectasias also cause psychological problems. The noticeable changes often lead to inferiority complexes or depression in those affected.
A withdrawal from social life or bullying or teasing can be the result. The treatment also carries certain risks. Skin bleeding can occur during dermabrasion, i.e. the removal of the affected skin layers.
Sometimes there are scars and changes in skin pigmentation. If the ducts of skin glands are blocked, this can lead to the development of cysts that have to be surgically removed. Scars can also remain as part of laser therapy.
When should you go to the doctor?
In the case of changes and abnormalities in the usual skin appearance, a doctor should always be consulted. In many cases, the skin changes are signs of an existing disease that requires treatment.
If the person concerned suffers from dilated blood vessels, which can be seen on the skin with the naked eye and shimmer reddish, this is considered unusual. A doctor should be consulted so that the cause can be investigated and a treatment plan drawn up. In case of bleeding, internal weakness, dizziness or general malaise, a doctor is needed. If the appearance of the skin changes, this is to be understood as a warning signal from the organism and should be clarified. A doctor’s visit should take place for control and diagnosis.
If there are emotional irregularities due to the visual changes, the person affected also needs help. If scars, feelings of shame develop or if there is a withdrawal from social life, psychotherapeutic support is advisable in addition to medical care. In the case of depressive states, behavioral problems, inferiority complexes or a general lack of drive, medical support should be sought.
Since cysts can form in rare cases, a doctor should be informed of the observations if there is a diffuse feeling of illness, the perception of lumps or swellings and sensitivity to pressure.
Treatment & Therapy
The therapy of symptomatic telangiectasia primarily focuses on the respective underlying disease. For this reason, an exact diagnosis of the triggering disease is extremely important, since some of the diseases are serious. In this case, the symptomatic telangiectasia is an important indication and at the same time a cosmetic flaw that can be alleviated with laser therapy or microdermabrasion, for example.
Prevention
Prevention of symptomatic telangiectasia is only possible to a limited extent. There are no direct preventive measures, only the underlying diseases can be prevented. However, this is also not possible in every case.
Aftercare
Follow-up care for symptomatic telangiectasia depends primarily on the underlying disease. That is why there is no general recommendation, but the treating doctor decides on a case-by-case basis what measures the patient can take after the therapy. However, the connective tissue weakness can be regulated by certain habits.
This works in aftercare as well as in prophylaxis through sporting activities and a healthy diet. This increases body awareness, those affected feel fitter and the symptoms decrease. In a broader sense, the selection of tolerable care products is also part of the aftercare.
If those affected use plant-based products, skin irritation is less likely to occur. More exercise strengthens the cardiovascular system and thus also the immune system. This also has a positive effect on the durability of the skin. Sufficient sun protection is also helpful as a supportive measure.
Less UV radiation, renunciation of nicotine, alcohol and caffeine as well as low-fat meals show a positive influence after a while, so that those affected feel better and appear much more self-confident. A health-conscious lifestyle plays a key role in aftercare. This success is often preceded by a visit to a self-help group, where the patients exchange tips with one another.
You can do that yourself
In order to alleviate the symptomatic telangiectasia, those affected can resort to various self-help measures. Although it is a congenital weakness of the connective tissue, the symptoms can be alleviated with sufficient physical activity and a balanced diet.
Among other things, good sun protection is necessary to reduce the damaging effect of UV radiation on the skin. Low-fat meals and avoiding stimulants such as alcohol, nicotine and coffee also have a positive effect on the complexion. These steps make those affected feel much better in everyday life. On the one hand they are less susceptible to skin changes, on the other hand this increases their self-confidence.
Helpful measures also include the use of well-tolerated skin creams and the sparing use of cosmetics. Products with herbal ingredients are gentle on the skin and do not cause irritation. Sporting activities stimulate blood circulation and at the same time strengthen the body’s own defense system. As a result, the skin itself becomes more resilient.
Depending on the degree of the disease and the impairment in everyday life, it makes sense to visit a self-help group. Here those affected can exchange information about their problems and give each other professional tips on products to alleviate them.
