Vasculitis
Vasculitis is characterized by inflamed blood vessels, leading to vessel wall thickening, scarring, and eventual weakness, which can be fatal. Vasculitis comes in a wide variety of forms. Some are short-lived and severe, while others might last long. Only 10 percent of hypersensitivity vasculitis instances progress to chronic or recurrent disease. Inflammation of the microcirculation usually occurs suddenly and acutely in patients with vasculitis. Symptoms include skin redness and swelling after contact with a reactive chemical and numbness in the limbs. One potential adverse effect is the hardening of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Ischemia, or lack of blood supply to organs and tissues, might develop if inflammation causes blood vessels to close up. Patients may have vasculitis neuropathy if inflammation is seen in the blood vessels that feed the peripheral nerves. It can also cause numbness in the feet and ankles due to neuropathy associated with vasculitis. Possible but less frequent indications and symptoms include pain in the joints, increased lymph node size, and renal inflammation in severe cases.
Regulating the underlying vascular inflammation is crucial for treating vasculitis neuropathies. Immunomodulatory treatments are generally effective against vasculitis neuropathy since the underlying blood vessel inflammation is an autoimmune condition.
