Allergic vasculitis is an extreme reaction to a drug, infection, or foreign substance that leads to inflammation and damage to blood vessels of the skin.
Allergic vasculitis is caused by an allergic reaction to a drug or other foreign substance. Most patients are older than 15 years.
Even with a thorough history, the cause of this condition cannot be identified.
The diagnosis is based on your symptoms and how the skin looks after you take a certain medicine or are exposed to a foreign substance (antigen).
Results from an ESR test may be high. Skin biopsy shows inflammation of the blood vessels.
The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation.
Your health care provider may prescribe aspirin or corticosteroids to reduce inflammation of the blood vessels. (DO NOT give aspirin to children except as advised by your health care provider.)
If possible, your doctor may tell you to stop taking the medicine that caused this condition. Do not stop taking any medicine without first talking to your doctor.
Allergic vasculitis usually goes away over time. On occasion, people will have repeated episodes.
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of allergic vasculitis.
Avoid exposure to medications to which you have known allergies.
Vasculitis - allergic; Hypersensitivity vasculitis; Cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis
Stone JH. Immune complex-mediated small vessel vasculitis. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Harris Jr. ED, McInnes IB, Ruddy S, eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders Company; 2008: chap 85.
Updated by: Neil J. Gonter, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Columbia University, NY and private practice specializing in Rheumatology at Rheumatology Associates of North Jersey, Teaneck, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
MedlinePlus Topics
Images
Read More
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 an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics 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 1997-2012, A.D.A.M., Inc. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized in writing by ADAM Health Solutions.