Leukoclastic vasculitis

Posted by S.H. on July 19, 1999 at 23:00:59
I have had a Biopsy of sores on my legs that was Leukoclastic vasculitis about 6 months ago.  These past 6 months have been spent on various specialists and tests to pin down a diagnosis and treatment plan.  No one has ever said anything about if these marks will go away.  They were really red and dark and "yucky" looking, with dry to touch, but "liquidy looking"  centers  for about 2 months.  Then they began to sort of heal over and became a brownish-purple color.  They don't hurt or itch or anything, but they look like I have plague or something.  Will these marks ever disappear?  Will they turn into sores again?  Does the vasculitis in my sinuses look like this too?  Thank you for your time and opinions.  

Posted by DERM M.D. ASR on July 20, 1999 at 09:52:49
S.H.:
Although you don't say explicitly, it sounds like the basic condition is quiet or under control (When this condition affects the skin, it usually doesn't have serious internal implications.  I assume your doctors tested for these and told you the results.)
Even after the problem "goes away," however, red mraks can last on the legs for months and months.  They usually do go away, though.  Some people feel putting Vitamin E lotion on them makes the redness go away faster.  That's innocuous enoughy, anyway.  Sun exposure does not prevent fading.  Some people use leg makeup to hide the marks and limit embarrassing remarks from other people.  (If you're a guy, let me assure you that there IS somethingt called leg makeup.)
Hang in there.
Dr. R
Keywords: vasculitis, redness