Overview
Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy (CCV) is a very rare skin condition that affects the tiny blood vessels (capillaries and small veins) in the skin. In this disease, thick layers of collagen — a structural protein normally found in skin — build up in the walls of these small blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to become widened and visible through the skin, creating a pattern of small red or purple spots and lines, most commonly on the legs and lower body. The condition can spread to involve the arms, trunk, and other areas over time. The main symptom people notice is the gradual appearance of widespread, tiny red-to-purple spots on the skin (called telangiectasias or purpura-like lesions). These spots are usually not painful or itchy, but they can be cosmetically concerning. The condition tends to appear in middle-aged or older adults and progresses slowly over months to years. Currently, there is no established cure for cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy. Treatment options are limited and mostly focus on managing the appearance of the skin changes. Some doctors have tried laser therapy to reduce the visible blood vessels, but results vary. The condition is considered benign, meaning it does not typically lead to serious internal organ problems. However, because it is so rare, research is still ongoing to better understand its causes and find more effective treatments. CCV is sometimes confused with other conditions that cause widespread small blood vessel changes in the skin, so a skin biopsy is usually needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Widespread tiny red or purple spots on the skinVisible small blood vessels on the legsGradual spread of skin spots to arms and trunkBlanchable or non-blanchable red marks on the skinSkin discoloration on the lower legsSpots that look like broken blood vesselsSlowly progressive skin changes over months to yearsGenerally no pain or itching at the affected areasCosmetically noticeable skin changes
Clinical phenotype terms (10)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy.
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Caregiver Resources
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Family & Caregiver Grants
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Social Security Disability
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How can you be sure this is cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy and not another condition?,Will the skin spots continue to spread, and is there any way to slow the progression?,Are there any treatments, such as laser therapy, that might help improve the appearance of my skin?,Do I need any blood tests or other evaluations to rule out related conditions?,Is this condition hereditary, and should my family members be concerned?,How often should I follow up with a dermatologist?,Are there any clinical trials or new research I should know about?
Common questions about Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy
What is Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy?
Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy (CCV) is a very rare skin condition that affects the tiny blood vessels (capillaries and small veins) in the skin. In this disease, thick layers of collagen — a structural protein normally found in skin — build up in the walls of these small blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to become widened and visible through the skin, creating a pattern of small red or purple spots and lines, most commonly on the legs and lower body. The condition can spread to involve the arms, trunk, and other areas over time. The main symptom people notice is the gradual ap
How is Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy inherited?
Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy typically begin?
Typical onset of Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.