A ruptured capillary can appear anywhere in the body and lead to various symptoms such as bleeding, redness, or pain. A well-known example is nosebleeds triggered by small cracked capillaries in the nasal mucosa (resulting from a fall, stroke, etc.). Small bleeding in the eyes is also a common and mostly harmless phenomenon, often due to strong sneezing or coughing. Besides, cracked capillaries can appear, for example, on the hand or finger, and the face is also often affected by redness, as is the case with skin disease rosacea. Depending on the cause, medications or a vascular laser are used for treatment, but both home remedies and lifestyle changes are enough to alleviate the symptoms.
Ruptured capillary in the eye
A common occurrence is a ruptured capillary in the eye, which doctors call “hyperphagia.” It is characterized by more or less pronounced redness of the eyes, depending on whether one or more capillaries are affected. This cracking is manifested through a small amount of bleeding, while in many cases, it occurs due to a strong cough or sneezes in the context of a cold or pollen allergy (pollen fever). The resulting pressure on the small blood vessels leads them to rupture. Deep lifting and pressure during childbirth, vomiting, or constipation can also lead to increased pressure in the head and bleeding in the eye.
Even if the blood trace in the eye seems worrying, a ruptured blood vessel is usually harmless and will go away on its own after about one to two weeks. The red color usually remains, and there are no other symptoms such as pain, visual impairment or burning, itching, etc. However, as a precaution, you should always consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis – especially if the capillaries in the eye are often cracked, or the “red spot” has not disappeared or even increased, because in this case, there may be serious background indications such as high blood pressure, conjunctivitis or blood clotting.
The same applies if accompanying symptoms such as headache, sensitivity to light, impaired vision, tingling, itching, or watery eyes appear. A doctor’s visit is also necessary if the bleeding is caused by an injury (shock or blow). Here, it must be carefully examined whether there is additional eye damage.
Cracked capillaries on the face
It is widespread to see that people have cracked capillaries on their faces. There are various possible causes for this, and accordingly, they can also be very different in impact. In most cases, however, the capillaries did not burst but only dilated, and therefore, from a medical point of view, they are usually a harmless phenomenon. Many sufferers are bothered by red spots on their cheeks, chin, or nose.
Besides, vascular malformations (angiomas) can be present, which can be tumors and developmental and congenital. A well-known example is the so-called “blood sponges” (hemangiomas). These are benign tumors of blood vessels in newborns that occur in up to 10% of a healthy child and 30% of premature babies. Blood sponges form when the smallest blood vessels become “spongy” for reasons not yet found and usually develop in the first days and weeks after birth. However, in most cases, hemangiomas go away on their own in early childhood.
A special form of so-called “tardive” or “senile” hemangioma often occurs in advanced age. Characteristics are small, round, light to dark red nodules on or on the skin, usually distributed on the upper part of the body. In some cases, the face is affected, and red spots and globules mostly appear on the nose and chin. The nodules can grow to the size of a pea. However, late hemangioma is not a disease and usually does not require any treatment. It is not always clear whether a “senile” hemangioma or redness has another cause. To avoid health risks, a doctor should always, as a precaution, assess and clarify skin problems.
Even with chronic inflammatory skin disease, rosacea (or “facial rose” or “copper rose”) often appears as if the capillaries on the face have ruptured. This mainly affects the elderly and is characterized by large changes in the appearance of the skin with visible vascular dilatations on the face (couperosis) and scaly parts of the skin, purulent pustules, and inflammatory papules in the later course of the disease. The changes usually occur in the forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks and can also affect, for example, the chest and neck.
During inflammatory processes, the skin becomes thicker and rougher and thickens (especially in men) nasal tissue (rhinophyma), also known as “bulbous nose.” The term “drunk nose” is often misused, although there is no known link between rosacea and excessive alcohol consumption. It is assumed that alcohol such as nicotine, stress, cosmetics, heat or cold, or hot spices can accelerate the development of the disease and affect its severity – but the specific cause of this chronic skin disease has not yet been fully elucidated.
Regular work in the fresh air (e.g., farmers, construction shops, etc.) can promote red, cracked capillaries on the face and heat (e.g., cooks). Certain inherited diseases such as Osler’s disease and the sporadic Louis Barr’s syndrome can also be considered causes, such as the rare autoimmune disease lupus erythematosus. The immune system is unregulated and therefore directed against a healthy cell body. As a result, organs and organ systems such as the skin are damaged, manifested externally, among other things, by strong redness of the skin and scales on the nose, forehead, cheeks, etc.
Cracked capillaries on palm or fingers
A small blood vessel or small vein (viola) may also rupture on the palm or finger and result in bruising. The trigger of the so-called “paroxysmal hematoma of the finger or hand” (also known as “Achenbach’s syndrome”) results in severe, stabbing pain in the hand or finger, which subsides after a few days, the hematoma usually disappears within one to two weeks.
Middle-aged women are particularly affected by Achenbach syndrome, but the exact cause is unknown. Among other things, hormonal disorders and instability or damage to the vascular wall are suspected. Because paroxysmal hematoma of the finger or hand is harmless in itself, it usually does not require any treatment. It is good to cool and protect the affected area. If the pain does not subside after a few days and the accompanying symptoms such as severe movement limitations, overheating of the hand or finger, fever, you should consult a doctor.
Treatment of ruptured capillaries
Cracked capillaries in the eye usually do not require any special treatment. If there is another reason for redness, it depends on the specific type of cause or underlying disease. If, for example, excessive eye strain is the trigger, it is often useful to provide sufficient protection, e.g., by avoiding strong stimuli such as long hours at the computer or television. If there is an infection or allergy, treatment with appropriate medications, eye ointments, or eye drops is often prescribed. To support the regeneration process, it can help put a cold compress on the closed eye.
The treatment of cracked capillaries on the face also depends on their cause. If there is a small hemangioma (blood sponge), treatment is usually unnecessary. However, since it is impossible to predict how big the hemangioma will be and whether it will really disappear on its own, treatment measures are usually taken at an early stage as soon as it starts to grow, especially with blood sponges in the eyes, lips, and nose. Depending on the case, different topical ones are used in the therapy procedures, such as cold or laser treatment. Surgery is necessary only in rare cases (such as a fast-growing blood sponge on the eye).
Chronic inflammatory skin disease rosacea is not curable, but in most cases, it can be brought under control with proper and consistent therapy. Antibiotics are often used for oral and/or topical administration; if the disease is more pronounced, the use of acid derivatives vitamin A isotretinoin may also be helpful. Even with rosacea, transparent red capillaries can be removed with a laser’s help, and the thickening of the nasal arch tissue can be surgically removed.
In addition to medical treatment for the copper rose, thorough skincare with mild cleansers without soap is also important. Care should be taken to protect your face well from the heat and avoid, for example, hot meals and drinks, spicy spices, hot baths, showering, and using the sauna. It is equally important to recognize which influences damage the skin to avoid them constantly. It is often about, e.g., strong UV radiation, alcohol, nicotine, or stress.
Home remedies burst capillaries
Red spots in the eye caused by cracked capillaries can also be effectively treated with simple home remedies. For example, sage is effective because it has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect and thus can support the healing process. To prepare, first, make tea from a quarter of a liter of water and a spoonful of sage. When this has cooled, the cotton cover is moistened with tea and placed on the affected eye for a while. Steamed and cooled bags of fennel tea can also be an effective aid for ruptured capillaries on the conjunctiva if placed on the reddened several times a day for about a few minutes a day.
In the field of homeopathy, especially eye drops, Arnica planta tota Rh D3 has been shown to be effective for conjunctival hemorrhage, one drop of which is usually instilled into the conjunctival sac once to three times a day. If there is inflammation of the eye, Euphrasia (eye light) in potency D3 can also be a good help because this has an anti-inflammatory and astringent (contractile) effect and relieves pain and itching.
Whether the capillaries on the face that “shoot” people perceive as annoying varies from case to case. However, it is important for those affected to help themselves and with the help of close people in order to clarify whether the existing skin change really requires medical treatment. Some people are so critical of themselves that even normal skin reactions and the slightest redness are perceived as unaesthetic “spots.”
To reduce red, cracked capillaries on the face, it is recommended to examine them better and find out which effects have a positive or negative effect on the skin. For example, often, the heat from hot food, hot spices, sauna, or hot shower leads to the strengthening of visible capillaries. Other patients react especially violently to anger or psychological stress, and strong UV radiation, nicotine, alcohol, tea, and coffee are typical triggers of red spots on the face.
Naturopathy for cracked capillaries on the face
If red, seemingly “burst” capillaries on the face can lead to chronic skin disease rosacea. Then naturopathy can provide effective help. For example, in lighter forms, it has proved useful if the face is gently massaged with fingertips for about five to ten minutes a day in circular motions. However, the skin should be well moisturized beforehand so as not to risk additional irritation or injury.
For example, u homeopathy, Abrotanum is used to treat inflammatory diseases, especially if the person complains of swelling of the lymph nodes , fatigue and loss of appetite. If there is restlessness, weak nerves, exhaustion, diarrhea or stomach problems related to skin problems, Kalium phosphoricum can be the chosen homeopathic remedy. If symptoms worsen in fresh, cold air and intensify with heat, Kalium sulfuricum should be considered.
Another option for alternative therapy are Schussler’s salts. This includes “sodium phosphoricum”, which is considered a “salt of metabolism” and, thanks to its detoxifying effect, can, among other things, alleviate skin problems. The so-called “clarifying salt”, sodium sulfuricum, can also help with rosacea, and salt (potassium chlorate) is often recommended, especially for second-stage inflammation.
Since emotional stress is one of the strongest driving factors for rosacea, avoiding psychological stress should also be of great importance. Various relaxation techniques and ways to reduce stress are available to those affected, which help them cope better with external stimuli and strengthen their internal balance. For example, exercises such as yoga, breathing exercises or autogenic training, but traditional Chinese movement teachings such as Taijiquan (also “Tai-Chi Chuan”) or Qigong are becoming increasingly popular.
