Spider angioma
Spider angioma | |
---|---|
Other names | Nevus araneus, spider nevus, vascular spider, spider telangiectasia[1] |
Non-benign angiomas indicating cirrhosis | |
Specialty | Dermatology |
A spider angioma or spider naevus (plural: spider naevi), also nevus araneus, is a type of
Signs and symptoms
Spider angiomas are found only in the distribution of the superior vena cava, and are thus commonly found on the face, neck, upper part of the torso, and arms.[citation needed]
Cause
Spider angiomas form due to failure of the
The dilation, in turn, is caused by increased estrogen levels in the blood. Many pregnant women and women using hormonal contraception have spider angiomas, which is due to high estrogen levels in their blood. Individuals with significant liver disease also show many spider angiomas, as their liver cannot metabolize circulating estrogens, specifically estrone, which derives from the androgen androstenedione.[3] About 33% of patients with cirrhosis have spider angiomas.[8]
Hepatitis C is an infection that can lead to irreversible liver damage. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) spreads through contaminated blood, and people are often infected by sharing drug paraphernalia or unsanitized tattoo guns and needles, piercing equipment, or manicure tools.[4] To make matters worse, symptoms of HCV can take years to appear, and this is likely why most of those infected with hepatitis C do not even realize that they are infected, and can continue to spread the virus unknowingly.[4]
Unfortunately, many symptoms do not start to appear until some damage to the liver has been done. Unlike in the past when hepatitis C was not curable and continued to worsen as years passed, today most positive hepatitis C virus (HCV) cases (95–98%) are now curable by taking a fairly newer treatment in the form of a prescribed daily oral medication for the full duration of 12 weeks.[4] This treatment is usually well tolerated, with little to no side effects.
Spider angiomas (spider-like blood vessels on the skin) are one of the main symptoms caused by a HCV infection. Discovering an infected patient with hepatitis C early on in the infection phase increases the chances of the virus being successfully treated and cured by oral medication.[4] Some patients can be infected with hepatitis C for decades without knowing, and without experiencing any signs or symptoms of the virus.[4] While hepatitis A and B have a protective vaccine available, there are no vaccines available to protect against HCV. Once contracted, if left untreated, hepatitis C can cause the liver to swell or become inflamed, making it difficult to function adequately in order to properly filter out chemicals and toxins. When the HCV infection turns chronic, it can cause full-blown cirrhosis of the liver (scarring of the liver), making it difficult for the liver to filter out waste and to store nutrients.[4] This can also lead to liver cancer and eventually will lead to liver failure.[4]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is by
Treatment
Spider angiomas are asymptomatic and usually resolve spontaneously. This is common in the case of children, although they may take several years to disappear. If the spider angiomas are associated with pregnancy, they may resolve after childbirth. In women taking oral contraceptives, they may resolve after stopping these contraceptives.[citation needed]
For spider angiomas on the face, techniques such as
; however, it usually leaves nothing.See also
- List of cutaneous conditions
References
- ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
- ^ "spider angioma" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^ a b Nevus Araneus at eMedicine
- ^ a b c d e f g h "What Are Signs And Symptoms Of Hepatitis C". Recovery Care Blog - What Are Signs And Symptoms Of Hepatitis C. March 16, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
- PMID 22357834. Retrieved 11 April 2018 – via jama.jamanetwork.com.
- PMID 20525327.
- ^ McCluskey D R Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 2004, 34: 104 - 105
- PMID 10423070.
- PMID 1862028.