What is the main cause of telangiectasia?

It’s believed that most cases of telangiectasia are caused by chronic exposure to the sun or extreme temperatures. This is because they usually appear on the body where skin is often exposed to sunlight and air.

What is hereditary telangiectasia?

HHT is a disorder in which some blood vessels do not develop properly. A person with HHT may form blood vessels without the capillaries (tiny blood vessels that pass blood from arteries to veins) that are usually present between arteries and veins.

What causes Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome?

What Causes Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome? People with OWR inherit an abnormal gene that causes their blood vessels to form incorrectly. OWR is an autosomal dominant disorder. This means that only one parent needs to have the abnormal gene to pass it on to their children.

Is HHT life threatening?

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), or Rendu-Osler-Weber disease, is a dominantly inherited disorder. Emergencies are not uncommon and can be lethal, but it is also a chronic and often socially disabling disease.

Can telangiectasia go away?

There is no cure for telangiectasia, but the condition is treatable. Doctors will often devise a treatment plan based on the results of diagnostic tests. For example, if acne or rosacea is the underlying cause, the doctor may prescribe an oral or topical antibiotic.

How common is hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia?

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is widely distributed, occurring in many ethnic groups around the world. It is believed to affect between 1 in 5,000 and 1 in 10,000 people.

Is Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome rare?

Osler-Weber-Rendu disease, also known as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, is a rare autosomal dominant condition causing systemic fibrovascular dysplasia. It has an incidence of 1-2/100,000.

How do you treat Osler-Weber-Rendu?

If the gastrointestinal tract is affected by the condition, iron replacement therapy is used as treatment. Other medicines may be prescribed for the condition, and endoscopic ablation (removal of diseased tissue) may also be used. Some patients with severe cases of anemia may need a blood transfusion.

How do I know if I have HHT?

Signs and symptoms of HHT include: Nosebleeds, sometimes on a daily basis and often starting in childhood. Lacy red vessels or tiny red spots, particularly on the lips, face, fingertips, tongue and inside surfaces of the mouth. Iron deficiency anemia.

When do HHT symptoms start?

HHT may manifest differently among different families, and even in different people within the same family. The age when people begin having HHT symptoms varies. Most experience some symptoms by the age of 20, and almost all affected individuals will have some signs or symptoms by the age of 50.