Skin vascularitis is characterized by a group of diseases in which inflammation of blood vessels occurs, specifically small and medium vessels of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, which can cause a reduction or blockage of blood flow in these vessels or make these walls thinner., causing its dilation.
Inflammation and subsequent dilation of these vessels can lead to symptoms such as purple spots on the skin, petechiae, loss of sensation in the area and ulcers, which should be treated as soon as possible.
- Treatment depends on the cause of skin vascularitis.
- Which may include rest.
- Limb elevation and use of compression stockings and.
- In some cases.
- Administration of antihistamines.
- Corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants.
Some of the most common symptoms of skin vascularitis occur most often in the legs, with purple spots on the skin, hives, tingling, loss of sensation in the area, ulcers and petechiae.Find out what petechiae are and what are the main causes.
While skin manifestations are secondary to systemic vascularitis, other symptoms, such as fever, discomfort, body pain, fatigue, weight loss, and joint pain, may also occur.
Learn more about vascularitis and see how it manifests in different parts of the body.
Some of the main causes that can lead to the development of skin vascularitis are infection by bacteria or viruses, injuries caused by the action of the individual’s immune system (autoimmune diseases) and as a side effect of the use of certain drugs, such as beta-lactam antibiotics, diuretics, sulfamides and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for example.
Diagnosis is usually made by an angiologist or rheumatologist, and involves observing the symptoms you have, taking into account a person’s health history, in some cases laboratory tests on blood and urine, as well as a biopsy, may be needed to determine the cause of vascularitis to guide specific treatment.Understand what a biopsy is and how it is performed.
Treatment depends on the cause of vascularitis and can be performed with the administration of antihistamines and/or corticosteroids, in more severe cases the use of immunosuppressants may be necessary, which work by reducing the action of the immune system against the body itself.
In addition, rest with limb elevation and the use of compression stockings may, in some cases, be sufficient to treat skin vascularitis and contribute to improving symptoms.