Is cutaneous vasculitis serious?
Vasculitis limited to the skin has a good prognosis with most cases resolving within a period of weeks to months. The vasculitis may recur at variable intervals after the initial episode. The prognosis of systemic vasculitis is dependent upon the severity of involvement of other organs.
What causes cutaneous vasculitis?
What causes cutaneous vasculitis? Cutaneous vasculitis may be caused by an infection, medications, autoimmune diseases, malignancy (cancer) or blood disorders. In about half of cases, no cause is found.
How long does cutaneous vasculitis last?
Crops of lesions typically appear over one or two days, with more appearing over the next days to weeks, until treatment is initiated or the allergy or other trigger goes away. Individual lesions can last up to three weeks and leave scarring, especially if they ulcerate.
What is the treatment for vasculitis?
Vasculitis Treatment. The main goal of vasculitis treatment is to reduce and control the inflammation in your blood vessels. Treatment options include: Medicines like steroids and immunosuppressant drugs. Blood thinners. Plasmapheresis, a process that filters certain proteins from your blood.
What are the causes of vasculitis?
The causes of vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels, can include infections, cancers, and allergic reactions. Environmental factors can also cause the condition. Commonly, the causes of vasculitis are due to the immune system attacking the cells of the blood vessels.
What does vasculitis feel like?
Vasculitis takes different forms according to which blood vessels are affected, and symptoms vary. Many people with vasculitis feel unwell and have fever, sweats, fatigue and weight loss. These can be the first symptoms experienced, so it’s important to be seen by your GP.
What causes hypersensitivity vasculitis?
Hypersensitivity vasculitis, or cutaneous small vessel vasculitis, is caused by: An allergic reaction to a drug or other foreign substance. A reaction to an infection.