Common Warning Signs Of Vasculitis

Night Sweats

Night sweats are another common symptom of vasculitis. While most humans occasionally sweat during the night, it is typically due to environmental factors, such as hot weather and a lack of air conditioning. Patients with vasculitis will typically experience nighttime hot flashes not related to the environment. These hot flashes result in excessive sweating, which at times may lead the patient to have to change their pajamas or bedsheets. It can also lead to feeling fatigued due to interrupted sleep and an overall feeling of unease or discomfort.

It should be noted excessive sweating during the night is a common symptom of other issues, most notably menopause, and is not attributable to vasculitis on its own. But, as with the other symptoms mentioned previously, if an individual is experiencing night sweats consistently, especially in conjunction with other symptoms, they should speak with their physician.

Rash

One of the most characteristic symptoms indicative of vasculitis is a rash on the skin. These rashes occur when there is a small blood hemorrhage into the mucous membrane, skin, or serosal surface. The inflammation of small blood vessels close to the skin in those affected by vasculitis causes damage the blood vessel walls. The walls become weak and may begin to leak blood or burst. These types of rashes are given a name based on their size. Small red dots on the skin less than five millimeters in diameter are called petechiae. When these dots are a bit larger and have a diameter of between five and nine millimeters, the lesion is called purpura.

When the diameter of the blood spot exceeds nine millimeters, it is called ecchymoses. These rashes do not blanch or change color when pressure is placed on them. These blood spot rashes usually appear in clusters on a patient's back, buttocks, lower extremities, hands, and inside area of the forearms. Vasculitis can cause these rashes to be ongoing or occur only once. Purpuric lesions can last for a duration of many weeks and may leave behind dark spots or scarring. Severe cases of vasculitis in deeper tissues may manifest in the form of ulcers, nodules, and livedo reticularis.