Index
Definition:
It is the inflammation of small blood vessels in the body. The prognosis and treatment are very frustrating, as it leads to bleeding and, in some cases, damage to the surrounding tissues. People who suffer from this disease may experience an acute attack or become chronic and repeated several times.
The skin is the main area where leukocytoclastic vasculitis manifests, especially in the legs, although it can occur in other body parts.
Changes occur with small purple or red spots, bleeding under the skin, and can usually be painful or itchy. The lesions can be small or grow together to form more areas. In some cases, the purple obstructs the blood flow in the skin, causing tissue death or necrosis.
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis can also occur internally, affecting specific organs, usually the kidneys or parts of the gastrointestinal tract, although the heart, lungs, joints, and nervous system may also be affected.
Causes of leukocytoclastic vasculitis
Infections: Occurs in response to an infection.
Diseases of the immune system: Vasculitis can also occur due to some immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma.
Allergic reactions: Sometimes, an allergic reaction to a medication can cause vasculitis.
Cancer of cells in the blood affects blood cells, including leukemia and lymphoma, causing leukocytoclastic vasculitis.
symptom
- Purple spots on the skin
- Skin sores are mainly located on the legs, hips, or trunk
- Blisters on the skin
- Hives (urticaria) that can last more than 24 hours
- Open sores with dead tissue (necrotic ulcers).
Treatment
- Elevating the legs or compression stockings can be helpful because the disease usually affects the dependent areas.
- Elimination of the causative drug of Vasculitis Leukocytoclastic.
- Treat the chronic disease that mainly affects the skin with non-toxic modalities; avoid using systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents.
- Patients with ulcerative disease often require a short service of systemic corticosteroids to achieve disease control more quickly
- Patients with progressive or chronic skin disease may need systemic corticosteroids and steroid-sparing agents such as azathioprine, methotrexate, or mycophenolate mofetil.
- The use of Rituximab for patients with leukocytoclastic vasculitis, particularly those with neutrophil antibodies.
