A horrifying skin problem – Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis
Would it not be gruesome if your veins and arteries are both affected by a skin disorder, known as Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis? Of course yes!
In fact, Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis is a skin disorder characterized by fixed urticarial lesions that appear histologically as a vasculitis. It can be clearly recognized by various specific symptoms, including hives, breathing difficulty, joint pain, blood in urine and excess protein in the urine.
For more information about Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis read this detailed article which describes the symptoms and treatment of this weird skin problem.
Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis is a skin disorder characterized by fixed urticarial lesions that appear histologically (study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals) as a vasculitis. Vasculitis is a diverse group of disorders that can be characterized by inflammatory destruction of blood vessels. In hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis, both arteries and veins of the patient are affected.
Urticarial Vasculitis
Urticarial vasculitis is the outbreak of erythematous wheals that apparently look like urticaria; however, histologically show variations of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. It can be further subdivided into hypocomplementemic variants and normocomplementemic. The hypocomplementemic form is mostly associated with systemic symptoms and is related to connective-tissue syndrome. Women are more likely to be affected, as the male to female ratio for urticarial vasculitis is 1:2.
Urticarial Vasculitis Symptoms
There are several symptoms of urticarial vasculitis, including hives, breathing difficulty, chronic hypocomplementemia, joint pain, arthritis, inflammation of uvea of the eye, episcleritis, recurrent abdominal pain, venulitis of dermid, glomerulonephritis, blood in urine, and sometimes, excess protein in urine.
Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis Syndrome
Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis syndrome or HUVS is an uncommon skin problem related to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). It is considered to be an independent immunological disease. HUVS is sometimes also refered to as McDuffie syndrome, after the researcher who published the first description about this disease.
The most obvious sign of HUVS is Chronic Urticarial Vasculitis with harmonized deficiency of C1q antibody in the serum. In addition, many other organs are also involved, sometimes with severe effects. The diagnosis can be confirmed by a specialist who performs a skin biopsy.
If you are suffering from Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis Syndrome, you should identify and avoid physical or drug triggers. Sometimes, intake of systematic antihistamines can be useful.
