Allergic vasculitis

Allergic vasculitis

Definition:

Hypersensitivity to a drug or foreign agent leads to a skin disorder with inflammation and damage to blood vessels of the skin.

Alternative Names:

Vasculitis; Vasculitis - allergic; Vasculitis - hypersensitivity

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Vasculitis occurs because of inflammation and damage to blood vessels. The inflammation of allergic vasculitis is the result of an allergic reaction to a drug or other foreign agent.

Symptoms:

skin lesions usually located on legs, buttocks, or trunk
palpable (able to be felt with the fingers) purpura
- multiple papules (small, solid, raised skin areas)
- purpura (bleeding into the skin)
blisters on the skin
urticaria (hives), may last longer than 24 hours
necrotic ulcers (open sores with dead tissue)

Signs and tests:

The diagnosis is primarily based on a history of skin lesions that develop after exposure to medications or a foreign substance (antigen) and the clinical presentation (pattern of symptoms).

The ESR (sed rate) may be elevated.
Skin biopsy shows vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels).

This disease may also alter the results of a platelet aggregation test.

Treatment:

Treatment is aimed at reducing the inflammation, allowing the natural healing process to occur. If possible, stop exposure to the causative medication (or other antigen). Aspirin or corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation of the blood vessels. (DO NOT give aspirin to children except as advised by the health care provider.) In severe cases, treatment with corticosteroids may be necessary.

Expectations (prognosis):

Allergic vasculitis usually resolves in time.

Complications:

permanent damage to the blood vessels or skin with scarring
vasculitis affecting the internal organs (kidney, bone, and so on)

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms indicate allergic vasculitis may be present.

Prevention:

Avoid exposure to medications to which there are known allergies.

Review Date: 11/30/2001
Reviewed By: Birgit Kovacs, M.D., Division of Rheumatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.