A vascular asterisk on the face of a child: causes and treatment

In the article, we consider the causes of spider veins on the face of a child.

When the subcutaneous small vessels expand, they become visible in the form of an asterisk or net on the surface of the skin. In most cases, this condition is called rosacea. This vascular manifestation can occur on almost any area of ​​the body. But the greatest concern among doctors is the rosacea that appears on the face. Often such a diagnosis is made to children. But for a child, a slightly different state is characteristic, although it looks similar to rosacea. What leads to the appearance of spider veins on the face of a child?

How does a child develop subcutaneous vascular networks?

First, on the face, areas of local increased blood supply are formed. Initially, this can be expressed in an intense blush on the face, which occurs when emotional experience or the action of high temperatures. With the passage of time, along with local hyperemia in the described situation, vessels appear. When the vascular walls lose their elasticity, networks of dilated arterioles will be constantly visible. A similar condition of the subcutaneous vessels in medicine is called rosacea.

Vascular telangiectasia

There is another condition where red dots are visible on the skin, from which small vessels diverge in all directions. Such formations under the skin are called vascular telangiectasias or asterisks; they have nothing to do with rosacea, except for a number of external similarities. Teleangiectasia is formed due to a number of diseases and has diagnostic value. Vascular asterisks on a child's face can accompany some collagenoses and severe liver diseases.

Types of rosacea

Subcutaneous visible networks can be formed by vessels of various functional purposes, and are arterial, venous and mixed. In the first case, red vessels are often manifested on the face. Blue venous nets mainly occur on the trunk and lower extremities. When both types of blood formations are expanded at the same time (in this case they speak of a mixed type), they differ in a cyanotic color, closer to a purple hue. Such spots are located in open areas, especially on the face, mainly on the cheeks.

Causes of vascular networks on the face in children and adults

In most situations, a hereditary predisposition plays a role, especially when it comes to venous formation under the skin. Vascular asterisks on the face of a child often appear during a sharp hormonal surge, which are noted in adolescence.

A genetic tendency to the appearance of a subcutaneous mesh of a mixed and arterial type also takes place. This can be tracked by the example of people who work under the same conditions (representatives of a number of professions, for example, steelworkers, are inclined to the constant expansion of subcutaneous small vessels). When in some people rosacea occurs in childhood, in others it comes closer to retirement or does not make itself felt.

Provocative factors

In addition to predisposition, the following factors serve as the main causes of dilated blood vessels, especially on the face in children:

• Exposure to high temperature in children’s open skin.
• The effect on the skin of a child of atmospheric effects and ultraviolet radiation.

In adults, this symptom is a consequence of taking alcohol. Against this background, the vessels expand sharply, remaining as such until the effect of ethyl alcohol passes completely. In the event that there is a daily intake of alcohol, then the blood formations over time become constantly expanded, which leads first to permanent skin redness, and then to a distinct manifestation of venous and arterial networks of a mixed type. For this reason, against the background of chronic alcoholism, the face in people acquires a bluish tint.

Frequent exposure to high temperatures occurs among representatives of a number of professions (whether they are workshop workers or grain growers). In children, exposure to high temperatures is caused by the love of taking a hot bath or shower regularly. Traces of ultraviolet radiation and atmospheric influences can be seen in children who spend a lot of time in the sun, sunbathe and do not hide their face under a panama hat.

Another reason can be dermatitis and allergies that adversely affect the condition of the skin. In this case, the skin becomes thinner, the tone of the dermis decreases, and the reactions of superficial vascular formation are provoked. In the presence of a hereditary predisposition, all this inevitably leads to rosacea, especially on the cheeks.

What other factors are the causes of the appearance of stars in children?

Among the many known prerequisites for capillary fragility, the most common for babies are:

• The influence of a genetic factor. In the event that fragile capillaries were diagnosed in the baby’s parents, the likelihood that similar vascular asterisks will also appear on the child’s face also increases.
• The presence of dysfunction of the internal organs. When a child is diagnosed with diseases of certain internal organs, for example, the liver, the risks of a similar problem also increase.
• The effect of temperature changes. Spider veins in babies can occur on the face as a result of regular changes in ambient temperature. For example, during a visit to several countries with different climatic conditions.
• Due to mechanical damage to the skin. For example, such damage may result from manual cleansing of the skin from acne or blackheads.
• Improper nutrition. Constant overeating and low activity of the child can lead to the fact that capillaries begin to burst and, thus, rosacea is activated. Preschool children need a balanced diet that affects the proper functioning of important organs.

Photos of spider veins on the face of a child are presented below.

What determines the appearance of stars on the face in children

Regarding children, we can say that in their case the situation with the vascular subcutaneous manifestation is ambiguous. Firstly, a lot depends on the age of the baby. In addition, rosacea in a child can occur only in exceptional cases, due to the fact that the skin along with the walls of the blood vessels in children is very elastic. Thus, persistent vascular expansion cannot happen just like that.

The exception is the teenage period, when excessive hormonal imbalance is noted, and vascular formations appear on the skin. It is worth noting that the expansion of blood subcutaneous formations among adolescents in most situations is exclusively transient.

In addition, in the event that a child develops stars with subcutaneous vascular networks, then you need to think about other conditions. Spider veins, often appearing on the limbs and trunk, can signal problems with various internal organs. Usually, after the cure of the provoking disease, the stars in the child go away on their own.

Hemangioma

A disease that is mistaken for rosacea, children usually have a benign neoplasm, which is called hemangioma. Such a disease does not conceal any threat to health, but it is very unpleasant with cosmetic defects. Before solving such a cosmetic nuisance in specialized salons, it is mandatory to consult an oncologist.

Therapy of stars on the face in children

Parents are interested in how to get rid of a spider vein on a child’s face and which doctor to contact.

What should be done if six months have passed and the redness in the child’s face has not disappeared at all? First you need to get a doctor's consultation. After the appointment of the examination and clarification of the individual characteristics of the body, along with possible contraindications, the specialist will certainly offer one of the methods of therapy.

With a vascular asterisk on the face of a child, which doctor should I contact? A pediatrician will come to the rescue.

special instructions

It is important to understand that the treatment of rosacea through local treatment (using ointments, lotions or compresses) in children is not only ineffective, but also dangerous. It is necessary to keep in mind the fact that at an early age the sensitivity of the skin is increased, and its response to drugs can be quite difficult to predict. We should not forget about the possible allergic reaction of the child's body to herbs and medicines.

Treatment of spider veins on the face of a child

The modern methods of treatment of the problem in children include:

• Conducting sclerotherapy. This minimally invasive treatment technique does not require skin incisions, and, in addition, does not involve any traumatic surgical intervention. The essence of this procedure is that a thin needle with a special scleroting component is introduced into the damaged vessel. Sclerosant acts on the inner capillary membrane and at first destroys it, and then leads to gluing of the vascular wall. As a result of this, the lumen of the vessel immediately narrows and as soon as the swelling subsides, the spider veins disappear. To prevent a phenomenon such as telangiectasia from appearing again, it is recommended that the first time after sclerotherapy, doctors wear tightening underwear, and, in addition, do not touch the face. Still how to get rid of spider veins on the face of a child?
• Performing laser coagulation. This procedure is carried out using a special laser that heats the blood in the affected area to seventy degrees Celsius. Thus, gluing of the vessel walls is achieved. The main advantage of laser treatment is that it has no effect on the surrounding tissue and blood vessels, and red streaks disappear immediately after the end of laser coagulation.

How to treat spider veins on the face of a child is now clear.

Conclusion

The fact of the expansion of blood vessels located on the surface, in the overwhelming majority of situations, absolutely does not pose any threats. But sometimes this manifestation serves as an indicator of the dysfunction of a certain organ or the whole organism as a whole. It is important to note that it is necessary to deal with such a phenomenon as couperosis on the face as a cosmetic defect exclusively from reliable specialists, and not in the first salon found. But it is better to try to prevent the manifestation of visible small vessels and factors that provoke rosacea should be avoided.

We examined the symptoms and causes of the appearance of spider veins on the face of a child.