Vascular lesions are abnormal blood vessel clusters that appear as red, purple, or blue marks on the skin. They can be present at birth or develop later in life. Below are common types and their treatments:
Vascular Lesions
1. Hemangiomas
- What It Is: A benign tumor of blood vessels, hemangiomas are the most common vascular lesion in infants. They often appear as a red or purplish lump on the skin. Hemangiomas may grow during the first year of life and then gradually shrink.
- Location: Typically on the skin, but can also occur internally (e.g., liver).
2. Port-Wine Stains (Nevus Flammeus)
- What It Is: A congenital vascular malformation that appears as a flat, reddish-pink patch of skin. Port-wine stains are caused by dilated capillaries and can darken with age.
- Location: Commonly found on the face and neck.
3. Spider Angiomas (Spider Nevus)
- What It Is: A small, spider-like red lesion caused by the dilation of a central blood vessel with radiating smaller vessels. These are common and can be caused by hormonal changes, sun exposure, or liver disease.
- Location: Often found on the face, neck, and hands.
4. Cherry Angiomas
- What It Is: Small, benign, bright red or purple lesions caused by clusters of dilated capillaries. They often appear in middle-aged and older adults.
- Location: Common on the torso, arms, and legs.
5. Venous Lakes
- What It Is: A dark blue or purple lesion caused by dilated veins near the surface of the skin. Venous lakes are typically soft and compressible.
- Location: Common on sun-exposed areas such as the lips, face, or ears.
6. Telangiectasias
- What It Is: Small, visible blood vessels (capillaries) near the surface of the skin that form a web-like pattern. Telangiectasias can result from genetics, sun exposure, or conditions like rosacea or liver disease.
- Location: Common on the face, legs, and chest.
7. Pyogenic Granulomas
- What It Is: These are small, raised, red bumps on the skin or mucous membranes caused by an overgrowth of blood vessels. They can develop after trauma or during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.
- Location: Common on the hands, arms, face, and in the mouth.
8. Capillary Malformations
- What It Is: Abnormalities in the small blood vessels (capillaries) that result in flat, pink to red patches on the skin. These lesions are present at birth and can darken over time.
- Location: Typically on the face or neck.
Treatment Options for Vascular Lesions
1. Laser Therapy
- How it works: Laser therapy is one of the most effective treatments for vascular lesions. It works by emitting specific wavelengths of light that target the hemoglobin in blood vessels, causing the vessels to collapse without damaging surrounding tissue.
- Best For: Spider veins, small varicose veins, deep or large vascular lesions, and certain venous lakes.
- Recovery: Minimal downtime, though multiple sessions may be needed.
2. Sclerotherapy
- How it works: A solution (usually a saline or chemical irritant) is injected directly into the affected blood vessel, causing it to collapse and be reabsorbed by the body.
- Best For: Spider veins, small varicose veins, and certain venous lakes.
- Recovery: Minimal downtime, though multiple sessions may be needed.