Leukocytoclastic vasculitis
Evidence: Immune-mediated
Names
LCV
Cutaneous Leukocytoclastic vasculitis
Hypersensitivity Vasculitis
Hypersensitivity Angitis
Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
Description
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis refers to the inflammation of the small blood vessels in your skin. This occurs when neutrophils (a type of immune cell) enter the walls of small blood vessels where they disintegrate, leaving behind fragments. It may be triggered by a variety of different factors; however, approximately half of the cases are idiopathic (i.e. have unknown cause). Some triggers include infections, certain drugs, collagen vascular disease, autoimmune disease, or neoplastic disease. Drugs and infections are the most common triggers.
Symptoms of the skin usually develop about a week after the triggering event. Approximately, 90% of patients will have spontaneous healing of skin lesions within weeks to months, and about 10% will have chronic or recurrent disease.
Henoch-Schonlein Purpura is a subtype of Leukoclastic vasculitis that affects children and is usually triggered by an upper respiratory infection.
Patient Groups
Bloggers
Prevalence
US Cases per year: 4,500 [Arora 2014] Most cases resolve in a few months, chronic cases resolve in 2 to 4 years.
Typical Age of onset
Occurs in all ages and both males and females, however, it typically presents in adults.
Henoch-Schonlein Purpura: 6 years of age.
Baigrie D, Bansal P, Goyal A, et al. (2020)
Symptoms
Raised purple-red spots (palpable purpura)
Pain and burning
Itchiness
Fluid-filled sacs (bullae)
Bumps on the skin containing pus (pustules)
Abnormal lumps below the skin (nodules)
Crusted ulcers
Mottled skin (livedo reticularis)
Generalized systemic symptoms (low-grade fever, weight loss, muscle aches, joint pain, abdominal pain, vomiting, coughing, weakness)
Rash on lower legs (1 out of 3 individuals also develop rash on the trunk and upper extremities)
