Spider naevi decompensated liver cirrhosis

[Dotandken]

Have noticed a lot of spider veins on my upper chest area, that have got a lot worse this last week. Any clue as to why that is?

[AyrshireK]

Spider naevi or angiomata are common in cirrhosis and are most likely due to portal hypertension, muscle weakness in the blood vessels and/or increased oestrogen.

"Spider angiomas form due to failure of the sphincteric muscle surrounding a cutaneous arteriole. The central red dot is the dilated arteriole and the red "spider legs" are small capillaries carrying away the freely flowing blood. If momentary pressure is applied, it is possible to see the emptied capillaries refilling from the center. No other angiomas show this phenomenon.

The dilation, in turn, is caused by increased estrogen levels in the blood."

Katie

[Dotandken in reply to AyrshireK]

Thankyou, I have an ultrasound and endoscopy next week so hopefully they may shed some light.

[Sqwarks in reply to AyrshireK]

Do you think they fade with time? x

[GrandmaDylan in reply to Sqwarks]

My first symptom of liver cirrhosis was spider naevi some years before I was diagnosed with cirrhosis. I've had several bouts of laser treatment which helped on my face and chest but to be honest more just pop up randomly, even on my fingers. My hepatologist says that they happen even when your cirrhosis is stable.

[Sqwarks in reply to GrandmaDylan]

I was thinking if they didn’t fade i’d have laser treatment,so it did help at least! main area of concern is my chest in the summer people comment 🙄 but know what you mean about them keep popping up, especially as to what your con said, perhaps live with it and find a good concealer.x

[Dotandken in reply to Sqwarks]

I don't fancy the laser treatment, concealer for me I think, one of the lovely side effects we just have to live with!! Xx

[Sqwarks in reply to Dotandken]

yes your right definitely concealer and at least there not harmfull xx