Overview
Generalized essential telangiectasia (GET) is a rare skin condition in which tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin become permanently widened, creating small red or purple lines or patterns on the skin. These visible blood vessels are called telangiectasias. In GET, these markings spread slowly and progressively over large areas of the body, often starting on the legs and gradually moving upward to involve the trunk and arms. Unlike some other conditions that cause telangiectasias, GET occurs without any known underlying disease, blood disorder, or other systemic cause — which is why it is called "essential." The condition is mostly a cosmetic concern for many patients, but some people experience burning, stinging, or mild discomfort in affected areas. GET is not associated with internal organ involvement or serious medical complications in most cases. However, the widespread and progressive nature of the skin changes can cause significant emotional distress and affect quality of life. There is no cure for generalized essential telangiectasia. Treatment is mainly focused on improving the appearance of the skin. Laser therapy, particularly pulsed dye laser, is the most commonly used treatment to reduce the visibility of telangiectasias. Multiple treatment sessions are often needed, and new telangiectasias may continue to appear over time. The condition is chronic and tends to progress slowly over years or decades.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Widespread visible tiny red or purple blood vessels on the skinSkin markings that slowly spread over large body areasTelangiectasias usually starting on the legsGradual spread to the trunk, arms, and sometimes faceBurning or stinging sensation in affected skin areasMild itching in some casesCosmetic disfigurement causing emotional distressSkin that may appear blotchy or reddish over large areasNo associated bleeding or bruising problems
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsUniversity Rovira i Virgili — NA
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center — NA
Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine — NA
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center — PHASE2
Sophiahemmet University — NA
Sint Dimpna Ziekenhuis Geel — NA
University Ghent — NA
Servei Central d'Anestesiologia — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Generalized essential telangiectasia.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Generalized essential telangiectasia at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
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 Generalized essential telangiectasia.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Generalized essential telangiectasia.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Generalized essential telangiectasia
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Get Fit for Function
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Generalized essential telangiectasia
New recruiting trial: A Home-Based Prehabilitation Exercise Intervention for Improving Physical Function in Patients With Bladder Cancer and Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer, Get Moving Trial
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Generalized essential telangiectasia
New recruiting trial: A Prospective Randomnised Controlled Trial Comparing Overall Patient Compliance in a Bariatric Surgical Pathway Using the Standard Versus a More Intensified and Interactive Version of the "Get Ready" Smartphone Application.
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Generalized essential telangiectasia
New recruiting trial: Feasibility of Symptom Management for Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer to Increase Exercise
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Generalized essential telangiectasia
New recruiting trial: Evaluation of a Digital Person-Centered Rehabilitation Program Targeting Physical Activity in Spinal Stenosis Surgery (Get Back)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Generalized essential telangiectasia
New recruiting trial: Memantine and Exercise to Improve Cognitive Function and Modulate Biological Pathways of Cognitive Decline During Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Generalized essential telangiectasia
New recruiting trial: Get Better Together: Relationship Education For Military Couples
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Generalized essential telangiectasia
New recruiting trial: Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure Registry
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Generalized essential telangiectasia
New recruiting trial: LetS Get fUnctional! FuNctional Status in pEople With intersTitial Lung Disease
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Generalized essential telangiectasia
New recruiting trial: Get With the Guidelines-Stroke Registry
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Generalized essential telangiectasia
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Are you confident this is generalized essential telangiectasia and not another condition like hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia?,What tests have been done to rule out other causes of my telangiectasias?,What laser treatment options are available, and how many sessions might I need?,Will new telangiectasias keep appearing even after treatment?,Is there anything I can do to slow the progression of the condition?,Should I be screened for any related conditions or complications?,Can you recommend any support resources for the emotional impact of this condition?
Common questions about Generalized essential telangiectasia
What is Generalized essential telangiectasia?
Generalized essential telangiectasia (GET) is a rare skin condition in which tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin become permanently widened, creating small red or purple lines or patterns on the skin. These visible blood vessels are called telangiectasias. In GET, these markings spread slowly and progressively over large areas of the body, often starting on the legs and gradually moving upward to involve the trunk and arms. Unlike some other conditions that cause telangiectasias, GET occurs without any known underlying disease, blood disorder, or other systemic cause — which is why
At what age does Generalized essential telangiectasia typically begin?
Typical onset of Generalized essential telangiectasia is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Generalized essential telangiectasia?
15 specialists and care centers treating Generalized essential telangiectasia are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.