Urticarial Vasculitis

Due to certain reasons, cells of the immune system release inflammatory chemicals in the body. These chemicals are usually histamines, which trigger a leakage in the blood vessels. This in turn allow excess fluid to seep into the skin. Due to this, the body responds by developing an inflammatory skin disorder known as urticarial. Now, this condition may progress to become urticarial vasculitis when blood vessels get inflamed. In most cases, the condition is known to be idiopathic. Meaning, there are no specific causes to this ailment. However, doctors associated this condition with certain disorders of the immune system. These disorders may include immunoglobulin disorders, leukemia, Sjorgen syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Also, there are certain viral diseases which may cause this condition. These may include hepatitis B and C, and infectious mononucleosis. Urticarial vasculitis and lupus are related to each other as the latter could be a cause of the former. To add to this, the condition may be a manifestation of side effects of medications like penicillin, ACE inhibitors and antidepressants.

Symptoms

Skin redness, pain and itching sensations are the prominent and the early symptoms that indicate urticarial vasculitis. Painful lesions may develop and these are indicative of the inflammation of the blood vessels. These lesions have a reddish appearance and are pale at the center. The itching may get severe if the inflammation worsens. Presence of small spots of blood under the skin is also a symptom. The lesions may stay for one day or more, before they begin to recuperate. And when they do, they may appear more like bruises and the affected skin becomes darker before returning to its normal color.

Some people may also suffer from other symptoms, in addition to the above ones. They might include fever, joint pain, sensitivity to light, abdominal pain, swollen lymph nodes and breathing problems. Although rare, but disorders related to kidneys and lungs may also show up as the symptoms.

Treatment

Recuperation of this condition is known to be slow, although it has a good prognosis behind it. It may take months, a year or longer for the condition to be resolved. It is not fatal in most cases, except those where the affected person has developed disorders of the kidneys or lungs, or both. Some people may even require long-term treatment, if the condition takes on the form of a chronic issue. The state of the symptoms, such as that of the lesions is used to determine the kind of treatment. So if the lesions are painful, burning or itchy, treatment will be provided accordingly. Mild to moderate cases are treated with antihistamines and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. On the other hand, severe or complex cases which might be related with dysfunction of other organs of the body, may be addressed with the help of short to medium course of corticosteroids to suppress the inflammation.

To conclude, people might consult different specialists for their type of urticarial vasculitis. Some might get themselves diagnosed and treated by a dermatologist while, some might have to make the choice of getting seen by a rheumatologist. Visiting an allergist or clinical immunologist becomes necessary if the condition is related to some kind of allergy.