The exact cause of telangiectasia is unknown. Researchers believe several causes may contribute to the development of telangiectases. These causes may be genetic, environmental, or a combination of both. It's believed that most cases of telangiectasia are caused by chronic exposure to the sun or extreme temperatures.

Sclerotherapy is a more effective procedure for larger veins, so it is the standard treatment for telangiectasias on the legs. It is a minimally invasive procedure in which a dermatologist injects a solution , called a sclerosant, into the affected veins. The solution irritates vessel tissue, causing inflammation.

If you already have spider veins, you might be wondering what you can do about them. In general, telangiectasias do not go away on their own, but there are many treatments to get rid of them. Read more about these treatments below.

Telangiectasias can be seen anywhere on the body, but they are most common on the face (nose, cheeks, and chin) and legs (particularly the thighs, just below the knees, and the ankles). Telangiectasias are red, blue, or purple linear marks measuring about 1 mm in width and several millimeters to centimeters in length.