GET usually is asymptomatic, but tingling burning or numbness occasionally is reported. The age of onset usually is in the fourth or fifth decade, but symptoms may be observed in younger adults. The progressive development of the telangiectases, without spontaneous regression, is the usual course. Most often, GET presents as numerous discrete pink and red capillaries, appearing punctate, linear, or as a lacework or syncytial network. Occasionally, discrete, well-circumscribed, red macules lend the skin a speckled appearance.
Capillaries usually are bilateral and are symmetrically distributed on the skin.
When they are numerous enough to become confluent, the skin appears diffusely erythematous, and discerning individual telangiectases becomes impossible. Telangiectases rarely protrude above the normal plane of the skin. On infrared photography, the underlying venous vasculature appears normal. Even in the presence of significant cutaneous involvement, mucous membranes and conjunctivae usually are not affected, although extracutaneous involvement of the oral mucosa and conjunctiva has been reported. No changes occur within the epidermis or dermis.