Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a short-term inflammation of certain blood vessels (vasculitis) thought to be triggered by a malfunction of the immune system. Symptoms include a purple spotted skin rash, abdominal pain and gastrointestinal upsets such as diarrhoea.
New rash with tender, purple or brownish-red spots over large areas. Skin sores mostly located on the legs, buttocks, or trunk. Blisters on the skin. Hives (urticaria), may last longer than 24 hours.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura (also known as IgA vasculitis) is a disorder that causes the small blood vessels in your skin, joints, intestines and kidneys to become inflamed and bleed. The most striking feature of this form of vasculitis is a purplish rash, typically on the lower legs and buttocks.
This rash occurs when small blood vessels begin to leak blood under the skin. Rashes from immune complex vasculitis may also appear red and bumpy. They may begin on a small area of the body, such as the ankles, and then spread to other areas, such as the abdomen and hands.
Rashes associated with aplastic anemia usually appear as tiny red or purple dots under your skin (petechiae). The dots can form large patches but aren't usually itchy or painful. These skin changes can occur anywhere on your body.
Autoimmune rashes can look like scaly red patches, purplish bumps, or more. The appearance of autoimmune rashes will be different, depending on which autoimmune condition is triggering the skin rash. What is this? For example, cutaneous lupus may cause a scaly red patch that does not hurt or itch.
Stasis dermatitis is a red itchy rash on the lower legs. It occurs after long-term swelling of the lower leg, usually from poor blood circulation.
Symptoms of peripheral vascular disease
Intermittent pain (claudication), which may feel like cramps, muscle fatigue or heaviness (usually in the legs) Worsening pain during exercise (usually in the legs) Easing of pain during rest (usually in the legs) Coldness of the affected body part.
If a blood vessel in the skin with vasculitis is small, the vessel may break and produce tiny areas of bleeding in the tissue. These areas will appear as small red or purple dots on the skin.
Symptoms. Urticarial vasculitis usually begins with an eruption of skin lesions (wheals) and hives (urticaria), which cause itching, pain and burning sensations.
Over-the-counter pain medicines can relieve symptoms of mild vasculitis. For more serious cases, your provider may prescribe medicines. Corticosteroids reduce swelling in your blood vessels. For some types of vasculitis, you will need steroids for months or years.
Changes in the skin can be the first visible symptoms of collagen vascular disease and can be instrumental in diagnosing the disease before it progresses. Symptoms vary depending on the specific disease, but may include: Skin rash. Fatigue.
Giant Cell Arteritis
This disease was previously named “temporal arteritis”, and is the most common type of vasculitis in adults in North America. It is a large vessel vasculitis that affects people over the age of 50 (although most individuals affected are 70-80 years of age).
Crops of lesions typically appear over one or two days, with more appearing over the next days to weeks, until treatment is initiated or the allergy or other trigger goes away. Individual lesions can last up to three weeks and leave scarring, especially if they ulcerate.
Infectious endocarditis (IE) and mycotic aneurysms (MA) can mimic primary vasculitis and confound even experienced clinicians due to the similar multisystemic and progressive symptoms.
Vasculitis symptoms include rashes that look like red spots (purpura), lumps (nodules) or sores (ulcers) on the skin, headaches with visual changes, shortness of breath, cough, and numbness or weakness in the hand or foot. Some patients may have joint pain, fatigue, or nose and sinus problems.
Blood Test
Blood tests reveal other markers of inflammation or the specific type of vasculitis causing your symptoms. They are used to rule out other conditions that can cause vasculitis and are treated separately, such as an infection or blood cell cancers, including leukemia or lymphoma.
People who have disorders in which their immune systems mistakenly attack their own bodies may be at higher risk of vasculitis. Examples include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma.
Numbness, weakness, or heaviness in muscles. Pain (described as burning or aching) at rest, commonly in the toes and at night while lying flat. Paleness when the legs are elevated. Reddish-blue discoloration of the extremities.
The most common vascular diseases include peripheral artery disease (PAD) and carotid artery disease.
Unrelenting itchiness is a common side effect of the skin changes caused by chronic venous insufficiency, or poor circulation in the lower legs. Otherwise known as stasis dermatitis, itchy skin from vein disease isn't a symptom you should put up with or ignore — it's one you should treat as soon as possible.
Varicose eczema symptoms
The skin looks red and can be slightly shiny (which is why some people mistake varicose eczema for an infection). The skin should feel cool to the touch, not warm. The skin gets flaky and scaly. The skin may also look 'rusty' or brown in colour.
The most common causes of what looks like a rash or red dots on the lower legs are either immune-mediated inflammation like eczema or psoriasis, or a skin infection like cellulitis. Other causes of red blotches on the lower legs can arise from an allergic reaction to certain foods or contact with poisonous plants.