What Is Vasculitis?

Vasculitis refers to a group of conditions characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. It can affect the skin, kidneys, lungs, and other organs. Cutaneous vasculitis (vasculitis impacting the skin) can occur in isolation or in association with other organ involvement. Vasculitis is an autoimmune condition that is sometimes triggered by exposure to an external stimulus, such as a medication or an infection.

Clinical Features

The skin requires nutrients that are supplied by blood vessels of various sizes, from tiny capillaries to medium-sized blood vessels. Inflammation of these blood vessels leads to leakage of blood cells and multiple other symptoms related to the inflammation and possibly secondary clotting. These range from minute, palpable purpuric papules from capillaritis to large stellate (star-shaped) purpuric plaques, ulcers, and skin necrosis from inflammation of larger vessels. Current classification and treatment of cutaneous vasculitis is based upon pathologic confirmation of vessel size, characteristics of inflammatory infiltrate, and internal organ involvement.