Skin Glossary · Appearance of the skin

Telangiectasia

Name: Meaning of Telangiectasia
Published: 2026-08-25

Related terms: broken capillaries, red blood vessels

Telangiectasia is a change where thin red lines are persistently visible on the cheeks, nose, etc. It may appear alongside temporary flushing, but they do not mean the same thing.

Reviewed by Korean Medicine Doctor Choi Yeon-seung · Last updated 2026-08-25

What does telangiectasia mean?

It is a condition where thin blood vessels near the skin surface dilate and become visible. Telangiectasia refers to the persistent appearance of thin red lines on the cheeks, nose, etc. It may appear alongside temporary flushing, but they do not mean the same thing.

How is it different from similar conditions?

Temporary flushing may fade, but dilated blood vessels may remain visible normally.

Why is this important in skin care?

This is checked to differentiate between rosacea and persistent facial redness.

What should be checked based on my symptoms?

If stinging or irritation of the eyes persists along with facial redness, ocular involvement is also evaluated.

Related conditions and medical guidance

Check guides where this term is used

Condition GuidanceRhinophymaRosacea may begin with recurring redness on the face, centered around the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin, or with the skin becoming darker than the usual skin tone, such as purple or brown, with the color persisting over time. It may be accompanied by burning, stinging, sensitivity, visible fine blood vessels, and papules, pustules, or edema that look like acne. In some cases, the skin on the nose, forehead, and chin thickens. Dryness, a foreign body sensation, redness, or eyelid swelling in the eyes may appear before skin symptoms; severe eye pain, light sensitivity, or changes in vision require a prompt ophthalmological evaluation.Condition GuidanceFacial FlushingFacial flushing is a symptom where the skin suddenly becomes red, hot, or burning due to increased blood flow to the face, neck, and upper chest. It may appear briefly and disappear after emotional stress, exercise, heat, temperature changes, spicy food, or alcohol consumption. Rosacea is characterized by more frequent flushing centered on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin, accompanied by persistent red, purple, or brown discoloration, visible capillaries, stinging, pain, and papules. It may also cause bloodshot eyes, dryness, a foreign body sensation, or eyelid swelling. Swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, eye pain, photosensitivity, changes in vision, sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, or slurred speech require immediate evaluation.Medical Evaluation GuidePrepare for your visit with skin photos, symptoms, and medications usedRather than a single photo, please prepare a chronological record of the date the symptoms first appeared, the timing of when they disappear and reappear, itching and pain, and the medications used and your reactions to them. It is helpful for the medical evaluation to take photos of the same area from the same distance during both normal states and when symptoms are most severe.

Evidence and Update Information

The definitions and safety standards in the materials below were referenced.

NCBI Clinical Methods: Principles of Skin Lesion ObservationClinical terms describing the shape, arrangement, and distribution of lesions have been verified.

What does telangiectasia mean?

How is it different from similar conditions?

Why is this important in skin care?

What should be checked based on my symptoms?

Check guides where this term is used

Terms to know for easier distinction