Telangiectasias (commonly known as “spider veins”) are dilated or broken blood vessels located near the surface of the skin or mucous membranes. They often appear as fine pink or red lines, which temporarily whiten when pressed. “Matted” telangiectasias are clusters of these small, dilated blood vessels that form a pink or red patch on the skin. Individuals who are otherwise healthy can develop this condition, and it is sometimes associated with varicose veins.

However, telangiectasias are also a classic feature of certain autoimmune diseases that affect the skin and other connective tissues (also called connective tissue diseases):

• Scleroderma (also called systemic sclerosis), both in its limited and systemic forms.
• Dermatomyositis.
• lupus– periungual telangiectasias (those around fingernails or toenails) are common in lupus patients.

Causes

There are many different causes of telangiectasia. Any of the above-mentioned connective tissue diseases can cause it. But, perhaps most commonly, fair-skinned people develop them on areas their body that have chronic sun damage. They can also be found on the sides of the nose in otherwise healthy adults.

Pregnant women and people with any of the following conditions are more likely to develop telangiectasias:

• Rosacea.
• Liver disease.
• Chronic systemic or topical corticosteroid.

How is Telangiectasias connected to scleroderma, dermatomyositis and lupus?

All of these chronic, connective tissue diseases can cause telangiectasia to develop on the face and on fingernail or toenail folds (where the skin meets the nail). Patients with scleroderma may also develop telangiectasias on the face, mucous membranes and hands.

Scleroderma

Telangiectasias occur in patients who have both types of sclerodermas:

• Limited scleroderma – also called CREST syndrome, which stands for Calcinosis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, Esophageal dysmotility, Sclerosis and Telangiectasia. This primarily affects the skin of the face, hands and feet (with possible involvement of other organs).
• Diffuse scleroderma – which has a more rapid onset and affects internal organs as well as the skin.

Telangiectasias become more numerous over time in both types of the disease, however, evidence suggests they occur more frequently in patients with limited scleroderma.

The precise factors that cause scleroderma patients to develop telangiectasias are unknown. However, some researchers believe that they are a manifestation of the body’s attempt to increase blood flow to organ tissues that have poor circulation. Thus, in scleroderma, telangiectasia may be a marker of ongoing vascular injury and failed repair.

Researchers have also identified the following facts and findings about telangiectasia in individuals with scleroderma:

• The total number of telangiectasias has been shown to correlate with disease duration. In other words, the longer a person have had the disease, the more telangiectasias he/she will likely develop.
• The number of telangiectasias also correlates to the risk of developing pulmonary artery hypertension.
• Telangiectasia is associated with the presence of the centromere antibody (This is an antibody to a portion of the chromosome that is active in cell division).
• One study found that body image dissatisfaction was higher in scleroderma patients with numerous telangiectasia.

Dermatomyositis

In individuals with dermatomyositis, telangiectasias are typically found in sun-exposed areas, such as

the V-shaped area of the neck and chest or in a “shawl” distribution over the shoulders, arms, and upper back. They can be associated with brown discoloration and thinning of the skin, a clinical finding called poikiloderma. This tends to occur in patients with long-standing dermatomyositis. Telangiectasia that appears as dilated loops of capillaries with the avascular areas (areas lacking blood vessels) on the fingernail folds are highly characteristic of both scleroderma and dermatomyositis.

Lupus

Telangiectasia of the nail folds also occur in individuals with lupus and correlate with systemic disease activity and Raynaud’s phenomenon. Telangiectasias may also be found on the edges of lesions of discoid lupus. (This is a skin-only illness in which a specific rash, mostly a scarring rash of circular-shaped lesions, occurs without other lupus symptoms.)

Allopathic treatments for Telangiectasias

According to allopathic doctors, Telangiectasias pose no health problems or risk; there is no treatment except to improve their appearance. This allopathic treatment includes cosmetic camouflage, laser therapy, and electrodessication.

Cosmetic Camouflage

Cosmetic camouflage is a technique using topical creams or powders to conceal conspicuous skin conditions. Flesh-toned cover-up can immediately hide mild telangiectasia. For more prominent telangiectasia and facial redness, a slightly green-tinted foundation or moisturizer can neutralize the color. These compounds are cost effective and readily available. Look for products with the terms “redness concealer,” “redness relief,” or “redness solutions.” Department stores with large makeup counters will often have a cosmetic therapist (makeup artist) trained to help patients with cosmetic camouflage. He or she will help create a regimen to match individual skin tone and hide telangiectasia.

Laser therapy

This form of therapy uses a specific laser beam to selectively heat hemoglobin and seal dilated blood vessels. Superficial facial telangiectasia is amenable to laser treatment. In scleroderma, due to thickened collagen fibers, telangiectasia is more resistant to laser therapy, but can be cleared with multiple treatments. However, this does not prevent new telangiectasia from forming and subsequent treatments may be required to maintain the desired effects.

Electrodessication

Electrodessication entails the insertion of fine needle into the blood vessel. An electrical current is then applied, which seals the vessel. This treatment may be helpful for simple facial telangiectasia; however, it has a higher risk of scarring.

Homeopathic Treatment for Telangiectasias

Homeopathic medicines not only open blockage dissolving the clot but at the same time the same medicine treats the basic cause of telangiectasias. Duration of treatment is individual – depends on person to person and stage of telangiectasias, in general almost 30-90 days are enough to treat even complicated cases.

Here are few homeopathic medicines for telangiectasias or spider veins:

Mezereum

Skin symptoms, affections of bones, and neuralgias most important, especially about teeth and face. Eruptions after vaccination. Burning, darting sensation in the muscles. Face red, eruption around mouth, sometimes with coryza. Eczema; intolerable itching; chilliness with pruritus; worse in bed. Ulcers itch and burn, surrounded by vesicles and shining, fiery-red areola. Zona, with burning pain. Eruptions ulcerate and form thick scabs under purulent matter exudes.

Rhus Toxicodendron

Jaws – cracking sounds when chewing. Easy dislocation of jaw. Swollen face, erysipelas. Cheek sensitive to touch. Parotitis. Facial neuralgia, with chilliness; worse, evening. Crusta lactea. Skin red, swollen; itching intense. Vesicles, herpes; urticaria; pemphigus; erysipelas; vesicular suppurative forms. Glands swollen. Cellulitis. Burning eczematous eruptions with tendency to scale formation.

Arnica

Black and blue veins. Telangiectasias. Itching, burning, eruption of small pimples. Crops of small boils. Ecchymosis. Bed sores. Acne indurates, characterized by symmetry in distribution. Face sunken; very red. Heat in lips. Herpes in face. Sun burns.

Silica Tera

Felons, abscesses, boils, old fistulous ulcers. Delicate, pale, waxy. Cracks at end of fingers. Painless swelling of glands. Rose-colored blotches. Scars. Pus offensive. Promotes expulsion of foreign bodies from tissues. Every little injury suppurates. Long lasting suppuration and fistulous tracts. Dry fingertips. Telangiectasias. Eruptions itch only in daytime and evening. Crippled nails. Indurated tumors. Abscesses of joints. After vaccination effects (side effects). Bursa. Lepra, nodes, and coppery spots. Keloid growths. Facial skin cracked. Eruption on chin. Facial neuralgia, throbbing, tearing, face red; worse, cold damp.

Heper Sulphuricum

Skin abscesses: suppurating glands are very sensitive. Papules prone to suppurate and extend. Acne. Suppurate with prickly pain. Easily bleed. Angioneurotic oedema. Unhealthy skin: every little injury suppurates. Chapped skin, with deep cracks. Ulcers, with bloody suppuration, smelling like old cheese. Ulcers very sensitive to contact, burning, stinging, easily bleeding. Sweats day and night without relief. “Cold sores” very sensitive. Cannot bear to be uncovered; wants to be wrapped up warmly. Sticking or pricking in afflicted parts. Putrid ulcers, surrounded by little pimples. Great sensitiveness to slightest touch. Chronic and recurring urticaria. Smallpox. Herpes circinate. Constant offensive body smell.

Telangiectasias. Yellowish complexion. Middle of lower lip cracked. Vesicular erysipelas, with pricking. Neuralgia, extending in streak into temple, ear, alae, and lip. Pains in bones of face, especially when being touched. Ulcers in corners of mouth. Shooting in jaw on opening mouth.

Ichthyolum

Face skin dry and itches. Acne on chin. Eyes burns, red; worse, any change of temperature. Nose bland coryza; stuffed feeling; feels sore inside. Irresistible desire to sneeze. Heat and irritation; itching. Scaly and itching eczema. Telangiectasias. Crops of boils. Pruritus of pregnancy. Psoriasis. Acne. Rosacea. Erysipelas.

Natrum Muriaticum

Greasy, oily, especially on hairy parts. Dry eruptions. Fever blisters. Urticaria; itch and burn. Crusty eruptions in bends of limbs, margin of scalp, behind ears. Telangiectasias. Warts on palms of hands. Eczema; raw, red, and inflamed; worse, eating salt, at seashore. Affects hair follicles. Alopecia. Hives, itching after exertion.

Belladonna

Skin dry and hot; swollen, sensitive; burns scarlet, smooth. Eruption like scarlatina, suddenly spreading. Erythema; pustules on face. Glands swollen, tender, red. Boils. Acne rosacea. Suppurative wounds. Alternate redness and paleness of the skin. Indurations after inflammations. Erysipelas.

Face red, bluish-red, hot, swollen, shining; convulsive motion of muscles of face. Swelling of upper lip. Facial neuralgia with twitching muscles and flushed face. Telangiectasias.

Calceria Carbonica

Skin unhealthy; readily ulcerating; flaccid. Small wounds do not heal readily. Glands swollen. Nettle rash; better in cold air. Warts on face and hands. Petechial eruptions. Chilblains. Boils. Crusta lactea; itching, burning after washing. Telangiectasias. Submaxillary glands swollen. Goiter. Itching of pimples in whiskers.

Bellis Perennis

Boils. Ecchymosis, swelling, very sensitive to touch. Venous congestion due to mechanical causes. Varicose veins with bruised sore feeling. Exudations and swellings. Acne. Telangiectasias.

Tarentula Hispanica

Ecchymosed spots. Hepatic spots. Furfuraceous spots. Miliary eruption. Indolent pimples. Vesicular eruption like crusta lactea. Telangiectasias. A small callosity, whitish, indolent, between middle and index fingers, increased, with heat and pain, extended, broke, leaving an ulcer with callus edges, healed leaving a small scar. Painful callosity at end of thumb fell off. Callosity in index fell out. Every year intense pain in toes from reopened wound. Formication; pricking; itching over whole body.

Petroleum

Itching at night. Chilblains, moist, itch and burn. Bed-sores. Skin dry, constricted, very sensitive, rough and cracked, leathery. Herpes. Slightest scratch makes skin suppurate. Intertrigo; psoriasis of hands. Telangiectasias. Thick, greenish crusts, burning and itching; redness, raw; cracks bleed easily. Eczema. Rhagades worse in winter. Canthi fissured. Skin around eyes dry and scurfy.

Kreosotum

Skin soft, unnatural feel of skin, with pegged teeth. Telangiectasias. Violent itching all over body, especially towards evening, and with burning sensation after scratching. Nettle-rash. Eruption, like bug-bites, with violent itching. Large, greasy-looking, pox-shaped pustules. Mealy and pustular, dry or humid tetters with violent itching.

Frequent, and even constant heat in face, with throbbing in cheeks and forehead, and with a deep red color of whole face. Acne. Face pale green with swelling of cervical glands. Greyish, earthy color of the face. Furfuraceous tetters on cheeks, on eyelids, and round mouth. Acute drawing pain.

Sulphur

Dry, scaly, unhealthy skin; every little injury suppurates. Freckles. Itching, burning; worse scratching and washing. Pimply eruption, pustules, rhagades, hangnails. Excoriation. Feeling of a band around bones. Skin affections after allopathic medication. Telangiectasias. Pruritus, Herpes across the nose. Nose stuffed indoors. Imaginary foul smells. Alae red and scabby. Chronic dry catarrh; dry scabs and readily bleeding. Polypus and adenoids.

Dulcamara

Adenitis. Pruritus, worse in cold, wet weather. Herpes zoster, pemphigus. Swelling and indurated glands from cold. Vesicular eruptions. Sensitive bleeding ulcers. Little boils. Red spots, urticaria, brought on by exposure, or sour stomach. Humid eruptions on face, genitals, hands, etc. Warts, large, smooth, on face and palmar surface of hands. Anasarca. Telangiectasias. Thick, brown-yellow crusts, bleeding when scratched. Humid eruption on cheeks and face. Feels as if cobwebs on face. Eczema of nose. Itching pimples. Moist eczema around mouth and chin. Erysipelas, burning and stinging.

Thyroidinum

Psoriasis associated with adiposity (not in developing stage). Skin dry, impoverished. Cold hands and feet. Eczema. Uterine fibroids. Browne swelling. Swelling of glands of stony hardness. Telangiectasias. Sluggish cases. Jaundice with pruritus. Ichthyosis, lupus. Itching without eruption, worse night.

Sepia Officinalis and Telangiectasias

Herpes circinate in isolated spots. Itching; not relieved by scratching; worse in bends of elbows and knees. Chloasma; herpetic eruption on lips, about mouth and nose. Ringworm-like eruption every spring. Urticaria on going in open air; better in warm room. Telangiectasias. Hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis. Sweat on feet, worse on toes, intolerable odor. Lentigo in young women. Ichthyosis with offensive odor of skin. Rosacea; saddle-like brownish distribution on nose and cheeks.

Ranunculus Bulbosus

Telangiectasias. Burning and intense itching; worse, contact. Hard excrescences. Herpetic eruptions, with great itching. Shingles, bluish vesicles. Itching in palms. Blister-like eruption in palms. Corns sensitive. Horny skin. Fingertips and palms chapped. Vesicular and pustular eruptions.

Psorinum

Dirty, dingy look. Dry, lusterless, rough hair. Intolerable itching. Herpetic eruptions, especially on scalp and bends of joints with itching; worse, from warmth of bed. Enlarged glands. Sebaceous glands secrete excessively, oily skin. Telangiectasias. Indolent ulcers, slow to heal. Eczema behind ears. Crusty eruptions all over. Urticaria after every exertion. Pustules near fingernails. Humid eruption on face.

Phytolacca Decandra

Itches, becomes dry, shrunken, pale. Papulas and pustular lesions. Most useful in early stages of cutaneous diseases. Disposition to boils, and when sloughing occurs. Telangiectasias. Squamous eruptions. Syphilitic eruptions. Swelling and induration of glands. Venereal buboes. Scarlatina-like rash. Warts and moles.

Iris Versicolor

Herpes zoster, associated with gastric derangements. Telangiectasias. Pustular eruptions. Psoriasis; irregular patches with shining scales. Eczema, with nightly itching.

Acid Phosphoricum

Pimples, acne, blood-boils. Ulcers, with very offensive pus. Burning red rash. Formication in various parts. Telangiectasias. Falling out of the hair. Tendency to abscess after fevers. On face feeling of tension as from dried albumen.

Acid Muriaticum

Papulas and vesicular eruptions, with great itching. Telangiectasias. Carbuncles; foul-smelling ulcers on lower extremities. Psoriasis. Erysipelas in face. Itching on back of finger-joints. Unhealthy skin: slight injuries suppurate. Herpes. Erysipelatous inflammation with swelling and tension. Chilblains relieved in open air. Trade eruptions on fingers and hands, itching and stinging. Ends of hair become tangled. Scarlet fever, livid, with petechiae; scanty eruption. Eczema on hands. Pimples and freckles; lips raw, dry, cracked.

Borax

Psoriasis. Erysipelas in face. Itching on back of finger-joints. Telangiectasias. Unhealthy skin: slight injuries suppurate. Herpes. Erysipelatous inflammation with swelling and tension. Chilblains relieved in open air. Trade eruptions on fingers and hands, itching and stinging. Telangiectasias. Ends of hair become tangled. Face swollen, with pimples on nose and lips. Feeling of cobwebs.

Antimonium Crudum

Eczema with gastric derangements. Pimples, vesicles, and pustules. Sensitive to cold bathing. Thick, hard, honey-colored scabs. Urticaria; measle-like eruption. Itching when warm in bed. Dry skin. Warts. Telangiectasias. Dry gangrene. Scaly, pustular eruption with burning and itching. Telangiectasias. Pimples, pustules, and boils on face. Yellow crusted eruption on cheeks and chin. Sallow and haggard.