Vasculitis - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
By ScanSkinAI Editorial Team✓ Reviewed for medical safetyLast updated June 2026
Inflammation of blood vessels that can cause vessel walls to thicken, weaken, or scar. It can affect skin and internal organs depending on which vessels are involved.
Concerned this might be vasculitis? Scan it with our AI skin checker for instant analysis, or use our AI mole checker for pigmented lesions. Browse all 80+ skin conditions in our directory.
Quick Answer
Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels that causes them to thicken, weaken, or scar. When it affects vessels near the skin, you might notice firm, purple spots known as purpura, along with nodules or even ulcers. Sometimes, the condition is limited exclusively to the skin and resolves by addressing triggers like specific medications or infections. However, it can also affect internal organs, requiring close medical evaluation. Because it varies greatly in severity, seeing a doctor ensures you receive the correct tests and an appropriate treatment plan.
Clinical Context
Vasculitis encompasses a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by inflammation and damage to blood vessel walls. Classification is based on vessel size: large (giant cell arteritis, Takayasu), medium (polyarteritis nodosa), and small vessel (ANCA-associated vasculitis, IgA vasculitis). Cutaneous vasculitis affects skin vessels, presenting as palpable purpura, nodules, or ulcers. It may be limited to skin (cutaneous small vessel vasculitis) or reflect systemic disease. Up to 50% of cases are idiopathic; others are triggered by infections, drugs, or underlying autoimmune conditions. Skin biopsy showing vessel wall inflammation and fibrinoid necrosis confirms diagnosis.
Symptoms
- Purpura (non-blanching purple spots)
- Ulcers
- Nodules
- Livedo reticularis
- May have systemic symptoms depending on organs involved
Severity & Progression
Causes & Risk Factors
- Autoimmune disease
- Infections
- Medications
- Cancers
- Often unknown
Treatment & Management
Treatment depends on type and severity. Cutaneous small vessel vasculitis often resolves with treatment of triggers (stopping offending drugs, treating infections). NSAIDs and colchicine help mild cases. Systemic vasculitis requires immunosuppression. Corticosteroids are first-line for most types. Steroid-sparing agents (azathioprine, methotrexate, mycophenolate) maintain remission. ANCA-associated vasculitis requires cyclophosphamide or rituximab for induction. Giant cell arteritis needs high-dose steroids to prevent blindness. Skin ulcers need wound care. All patients require monitoring for organ involvement and treatment side effects.
- Treating underlying cause
- Corticosteroids
- Immunosuppressants
- Colchicine for mild cases
- Biologics for severe cases
Red Flags & Complications
Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Organ damage (kidney, lung, nerve, heart)
- Skin ulceration and necrosis
- Blindness (giant cell arteritis)
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Bowel ischemia
- Treatment-related complications (infections, osteoporosis)
Self-Care Tips
- Report new symptoms promptly (especially vision changes, numbness, abdominal pain)
- Take medications as prescribed
- Attend regular follow-up appointments
- Avoid known triggers if identified
- Keep legs elevated if lower extremity involvement
- Protect skin from injury
- Get recommended vaccinations (immunosuppression increases infection risk)
When to See a Doctor
If you develop unexplained purpura, especially with other symptoms
Frequently Asked Questions
What does vasculitis look like on my skin?
Skin vasculitis usually appears as palpable purpura, which are raised, purple or red spots that do not fade when you press on them. Depending on the size of the inflamed blood vessels, you might also notice deeper lumps under the skin, painful ulcers, or a lace-like purplish rash known as livedo reticularis. Because these spots can resemble other conditions, medical testing is usually necessary.
What triggers this blood vessel inflammation?
The exact cause is often unknown, though it happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks your blood vessels. This reaction can be triggered by a recent infection, starting a new medication, or an underlying autoimmune illness such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. In rare cases, it can be linked to certain cancers or viruses like hepatitis. Identifying the trigger is a key part of managing the condition.
When should I go to the doctor for these purple spots?
You should see a doctor promptly if you develop an unexplained rash of raised purple spots, especially if it is accompanied by systemic symptoms like fever, extreme fatigue, joint pain, or unexplained weight loss. Vasculitis can range from a mild skin reaction to a severe condition affecting your kidneys, lungs, or nerves. Prompt medical evaluation is crucial to check internal organ health and prevent permanent damage.
How is skin vasculitis treated?
Treatment depends entirely on the condition's cause and severity. If the inflammation is limited to the skin and caused by a medication or infection, it might resolve once the trigger is removed. For more persistent or severe cases, doctors frequently prescribe corticosteroids to reduce inflammation quickly. Stronger immunosuppressant medications or biologics may be needed to manage long-term symptoms and protect your organs.
Can anyone get vasculitis, or is it mostly in older adults?
People of any age can develop vasculitis, but certain types affect specific age groups. For example, IgA vasculitis primarily affects children, while giant cell arteritis almost exclusively occurs in adults over fifty. Having an existing autoimmune disease, a history of hepatitis, or taking certain medications can also increase your overall risk of developing different forms of the condition.
Will these purple spots eventually go away?
Yes, in many cases involving only the skin, the spots will clear up once the underlying cause is pinpointed and treated. Mild cases often respond well to basic anti-inflammatory medications. However, if the spots are part of a systemic disease, they might come and go in flare-ups. A healthcare professional can help you establish a long-term management plan to keep your symptoms under control.
Is vasculitis contagious if someone touches the rash?
No, vasculitis is absolutely not contagious. It is an internal inflammatory process driven by your own immune system, not an infection that can be passed to others through physical contact. While an infection like hepatitis or strep throat might sometimes trigger the autoimmune response that causes the inflammation, the resulting blood vessel condition itself cannot be caught by or transmitted to anyone else.
How can ScanSkinAI help me check for signs of vasculitis?
ScanSkinAI can analyze photos of your skin to help identify visual patterns associated with conditions like vasculitis, such as purpura or ulcers. However, our AI is purely a screening aid and cannot provide a medical diagnosis. Because vasculitis often involves complex internal factors and vital organs, you must consult a doctor for a proper evaluation, blood tests, and a potential skin biopsy.
Related Conditions
Medical References
Information on this page is sourced from and verified against reputable medical resources:
Concerned About Your Skin?
Upload a photo and get instant AI-powered analysis across 80+ skin conditions. Track your condition over time with photo timelines, or use our dedicated AI mole checker for moles and pigmented lesions.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content on this page should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for proper medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of your condition.