Vascular conditions affect the veins and arteries, which are blood vessels that carry blood to and away from the heart. When the small blood vessels underneath the skin are damaged or develop abnormally, they can cause lesions, bumps and discoloration of the skin. Vascular skin problems can develop any time from shortly after birth to late in life.
Angiomas
Angiomas are clumps of lymph vessels or blood in the skin. Cherry angiomas are fairly common, benign skin growths with no known cause. They are bright, cherry-red skin lesions that are smooth and the size of a pinhead. Tufted angiomas are vascular tumors that occur at birth or in early childhood. They are an area of small purple or red patches on the skin of the upper trunk and neck. The patches grow slowly and may affect large areas of the skin. These angiomas are associated with a trapping of platelets. Lymphangiomas are clumps of lymph tissue that occur under the skin. While they are most often found in the neck and head, they can also occur in the abdomen and axilla. Lymphangiomas are benign and often occur in children.
Purpura
Purpura is the appearance of purple patches and spots on the skin. It can also occur in mucous membranes and on organs. This condition is caused by the leakage of small blood vessels under the skin. If the spots caused by purpura are small, they are referred to as petechiae. When the spots are large, they are referred to as ecchymoses. This condition can be caused by rubella, cytomegalovirus, weak blood vessels, vasculitis and drugs that affect platelet count.
Hemangioma
Hemangiomas are overgrowths of the blood vessels that cause lumps in the skin. These lumps are purple or red and may appear soon after birth. After 18 months, they begin to shrink. While hemangiomas often disappear by the time a child turns 7, the affected area usually remains discolored. This condition may also develop after someone reaches middle age. While hemangiomas do not cause pain, they can break open and cause bleeding. Hemangiomas on the face can affect breathing and vision.
Cutaneous Vasculitis
Cutaneous vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels under the skin. The condition may cause purple spots, patches or nodules to develop. Lesions, itching and ulcers of the skin may also occur. Cutaneous vasculitis can be caused by infections, autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivity to drugs and some cancers. This condition is diagnosed through routine tests and biopsies. Laboratory tests may be done to determine the cause of vasculitis.
Port-Wine Stain
Port-wine stain, also called nevus flammeus, is a birthmark caused by swollen blood vessels. The swelling causes the skin to become reddish-purplish in color. These birthmarks start out as flat marks that are pink in color. As a child ages, the color deepens. This condition is often diagnosed with a visual examination of the skin, but in rare cases, a skin biopsy may be needed. If the port-wine stain is on the face, tests may be done to determine if it has caused an increase in intraocular pressure. Port-wine stains can be treated with laser therapy.
Pyogenic Granuloma
Pyogenic granuloma is a skin growth that is red and bleeds. It is often compared to raw hamburger in its appearance. This skin condition occurs after a minor injury and rapidly grows to approximately 1/2 inch in size. While a pyogenic granuloma can occur anywhere on the body, they are most commonly found on the skin of the upper trunk, head, hands, neck and feet. These benign growths may be biopsied to determine the best treatment. The granulomas may be scraped off with a curette and cauterized to discourage recurrence.
