VENOUS LAKES
Venous lakes are usually a soft compressible, violet colored bump, resembling a blood blister, found commonly on the vermilion border of the lips, the ears and on the face and neck. Venous lakes most frequently affect men over 50 years old with a history of sun-damaged. They usually measure 0.2- to 1-cm and are not painful. Venous lakes are usually not painful; although pain, tenderness, and excessive bleeding can occur once a lesion has been traumatized.
The cause of these lesions is attributed to years of sun exposure that damages the elastic fibers in the blood vessels. This damage causes a week spot that bulges out causing the bump.
Treatment is not necessary. If treatment is sought for cosmetic reasons, the lesions can be treated with surgical excision, laser therapy, cryotherapy, and sclerotherapy.