Skip navigation | ||
|
||
Medical Encyclopedia |
|
Other encyclopedia topics: | A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
Contents of this page: | |
|
|
|
Alternative names Return to top
Vasculitis - allergic hypersensitivity; Cutaneous Leukocytoclastic VasculitisDefinition Return to top
Allergic vasculitis is hypersensitivity to a drug or foreign agent that leads to inflammation and damage to blood vessels of the skin.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
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 Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
The diagnosis is primarily based on a history of skin lesions that develop after exposure to medications or a foreign substance (antigen) and the pattern of symptoms.Treatment Return to top
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) Return to top
Allergic vasculitis usually resolves in time.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms indicate allergic vasculitis may be present.Prevention Return to top
Avoid exposure to medications to which there are known allergies. Update Date: 8/3/2003 Updated by: Megan Clowse, M.D., Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Home | Health Topics | Drug Information | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Selection Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |