Angiomas: definition
Angiomas are benign pathological forms affecting arterial, lymphatic or biliary vessels: commonly, angiomas are called "birthmarks". They come in the form of red-purple spots, with a marked tendency to extend over time; however, there is no lack of cases in which the angioma regresses spontaneously, without leaving obvious traces on the skin. Unfortunately, however, in most cases it is necessary to contact a specialist, dermatologist or surgeon, to clear the patch. Angioma is not contagious and is unlikely to result in pathological forms.
Symptoms
In general, the angioma is asymptomatic, since it manifests itself without causing disturbance to the subject and the damage is only aesthetic; if the individual with angioma perceives discomfort, it means that the angioma is positioned in a critical area of the body, or is an indication of an excessive extension of the stain. Angiomas can bleed if scratched or damaged. Mild symptoms include: migraine, headache, and some sporadic cases of seizures that can be easily controlled with medical treatments.
In some subjects, following a possible hemorrhage, the arteriovenous angioma could cause more serious consequences in the brain; if an abnormal vessel breaks, a hematoma could be created in the brain mass, to the point of causing neurological deficits. However, if they occur in non-critical areas, bleeding tends to leave no permanent damage.
Causes
The etiopathological factors that trigger the manifestation of the angioma are still a reason for research, since the causes are not precise, let alone clear. Only some types of angiomas have registered a close correlation with other pathologies: for example, spider angioma could be a consequence of liver cirrhosis. Furthermore, a greater incidence of spider angiomas was observed in pregnant women, but the causes have not yet been clarified.
The Diseases Database indicates, with a list, the possible causes that could trigger, or in any case favor, the onset of angiomas, including pregnancy, liver cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease and repeated microtraumas.
Care
Generally, angiomas do not require special treatments, since, as mentioned, the disorder only results in aesthetics. In the case in which the angiomas begin to bleed or to create discomfort, then it is advisable the medical opinion: if the angiomas are found in areas more subject to stresses (tongue, lips, anus, genitals), the most indicated treatment is surgical removal .
In some subjects, angiomas form at the level of the eyelids: in addition to being an aesthetic problem, the angioma could cause vision problems.
Angiomas, like most of the benign aesthetic manifestations of pathological manifestations, could create serious psychological problems in the suffering subject due to his disfigured image: it will be the duty of the doctor to advise, in addition to a possible resolving treatment of the angioma, a psycho-therapeutic treatment.
As regards small asymptomatic angiomas, limited in some areas, the most indicated treatment is the only control of their evolution.
Depending on the patient, the resolutive treatments for different angiomas are: laser therapy, plastic surgery, cryosurgery, radiotherapy, embolization.
- Laser therapy : it is a very effective treatment, suitable for young people. More specifically, an instrument called Dye laser is used, a selective laser for the elimination of red spots on the skin. The Dye laser is recommended for angiomas, because they appear red: this particular instrument, in fact, is selective only for the red color (indicated, in fact, also for the treatment of couperose, scars, stretch marks at the inflamed stage, and telangiectasias). During the session, there is no pain, if not a little annoyance. It should be remembered that the angioma cannot be eliminated with a single session; after some treatments, there is a progressive depigmentation of the skin. Before undergoing laser therapy, exposure to the sun is absolutely not recommended: it is a good rule to avoid drugs and photosensitizing substances before treatment.
- Cryosurgery : is a technique for the resolution of dermatological disorders. The cryosurgical technique exploits the cold to treat skin disorders, such as angiomas, warts, acne and hypertrophic scars. The etymology of the term "cryotherapy", whose derivation is Greek, already refers to the use of cold for therapeutic purposes (cryotherapy = treatment with cold). Cryosurgery is a treatment indicated for angiomas, as it is able to cause freezing burns with possible formation of erythemas and boils. If done correctly, this technique leaves no traces in the surrounding cells, since only the tissue affected by the angioma must be affected.
- Radiotherapy : recommended only for the rare cases in which surgery cannot restore the tissue, because angiomas are perhaps positioned in critical and dangerous areas for the correct functioning of nearby organs. Generally, radiotherapy should be applied in bone or orbital angiomas. This technique generally involves the application by contact through loaded plates with radioactive isotopes.
- Embolization (or sclerotization) : special technique, useful for the resolution of angiomas that communicate with the systemic vascular circulation or for those placed at the extremities or at the roots of the limbs. This complicated procedure consists in obstructing the blood flow of the affected area in a selective way: embolization, as the word itself already suggests, creates an embolus, which temporarily reduces blood emission so that the surgeon can remove the angioma avoiding excessive bleeding.
- Plastic surgery : this remedy must be "the last resort" and the subject should undergo a surgical operation only if absolutely necessary. If the angioma is dangerous, large, bleeds easily and does not regress spontaneously, the specialist can suggest an invasive surgical treatment.
The treatments analyzed are drastic, because they eradicate the angioma in an invasive way. If the blemish is considered acceptable, opaque cosmetics can be used, which hide the disorder without actually eliminating the angioma. Make-up must be chosen carefully, preferring quality and non-irritating products: in fact, it should not be forgotten that the skin affected by the angioma is more sensitive and delicate; consequently, the use of aggressive or irritating cosmetics could accentuate the disorder.
There are no natural remedies (phytotherapic) useful in the healing of angiomas.
