Venous Lake

What is a Venous Lake?

A venous lake is a common bluish soft macule or papule due to vascular dilatation. They typically appear as a small, soft, compressible, dark blue to purple bump on the lip or skin.

They can however arise anywhere, most venous lakes are diagnosed on the lower lip (on the vermilion margin or mucosal surface), they may occur on an earlobe, or elsewhere on the face, neck, or upper trunk.

Appearance: They are soft, squashable, and range from 0.2 to 1 cm in diameter.
Location: Most commonly found on the lower lip, but they can also occur on the face, neck, earlobes, and other sun-exposed areas.
Cause: The exact cause of venous lakes remains unknown.
Diagnosis: Clinically, they are easily diagnosed by their appearance. The color disappears when the lesion is compressed due to blood clearance from the dilated venule. Dermoscopy reveals a structureless blue or purple appearance.
Differential Diagnosis: Venous lakes can occasionally be confused with conditions such as blue naevus, cherry angioma, or spider telangiectasis.
Treatment: Venous lakes are harmless and do not require treatment unless they are unsightly. Removal options include cryotherapy, electrocautery, sclerotherapy, or vascular laser. Surgical excision is rarely necessary and may result in a scar.

While venous lakes may look concerning, they are generally benign and pose no serious health risks.

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