Telangiectasias, or spider veins, are superficial blood vessels that are visible under the skin with the naked eye. Telangiectasias are common in most people. Most often, these elements can be found on the lower limbs. With age, the possibility of telangiectasias increases. So, "spider veins" are found in 8% of women under 30 years old, by the age of 50 - in 42%, and by the age of 70 already in 71% of women. For men of the same age groups, these indicators are 1, 25 and 43%.
Telangiectasias can be of various shapes and sizes, and their color ranges from red to dark purple. The nature of the elements mainly depends on the reason for their appearance. There are many types of dilated vessels. For example, red linear telangiectasias appear more often on the face (on the nose and cheeks) . On the legs, most of the protruding vessels have a treelike expanded shape of red or blue. Spider-like elements are often red in color. Vascular dilatation in the form of spots is usually a symptom of skin diseases and diseases of internal organs.
In women, dilated skin vessels can be located on the legs in the form of large clusters. In this case, there are two main forms of location of telangiectasias. The first option: vascular elements are localized mainly on the inner surface of the thighs in the form of extended parallel lines. The second option: telangiectasias of a tree-like shape are located around the circumference, the predominant localization is the outer surface of the thighs. Knowledge of the types and variants of the location of telangiectasias is necessary to determine the causes and correct treatment.
Telangiectasias are more common in women. Most perceive them as a cosmetic defect in the skin. But you should be aware that vascular elements can be a sign of certain diseases. "Spider veins" are congenital and acquired. The growth of new vessels in the dermis and the expansion of existing ones is due to many factors. These can be disorders of hormonal metabolism, increased synthesis or active release of histamine, which has a vasodilating property. Also, the expansion of the vessels of the skin is caused by some infections and physical factors (sudden changes in temperature). After eliminating the causes, the "stars" become a residual cosmetic defect.
If the dilated vessels appear in a limited period of time or have an unusual localization, then more serious diseases must be excluded. To do this, you need to undergo a medical examination. The most common causes of telangiectasias are hormonal disorders, venous insufficiency of the lower extremities and excessive ultraviolet radiation.
An excess of estrogen plays an important role in the emergence of "vascular" asterisks. That is why vascular skin lesions are more common in women. The appearance of these elements may be associated with pregnancy: in about a third of pregnant women, skin vessels dilate. For most women, they disappear on their own within 3-7 weeks after giving birth. Also, telangiectasias can be the first sign of varicose veins of the legs.
It is possible to eliminate telangiectasia as a cosmetic defect using laser photocoagulation and sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is based on the use of chemicals, the introduction of which leads to vascular overgrowth. In laser photocoagulation, the dilated vessels are coagulated using electromagnetic radiation. Previously, electrocoagulation of telangiectasias was used, but due to the danger of skin damage, this method was practically abandoned.