What are blood freckles?

Blood freckles are also known as telangiectasias. This condition results in flat, red, freckle-like spots on the skin, especially on the trunk and hands.

Telangiectasias are caused by blood vessels close to the surface of the skin becoming dilated. It can be related to conditions, such as scleroderma and rosacea. While these freckle-like spots are not dangerous in and of themselves, they can be a marker for more serious conditions and systemic issues, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and CREST syndrome.

Once an official diagnosis has been made, the spots can be removed by a physician using a laser. Some people with telangiectasia also choose to just cover the spots with makeup.