What is the connection between vasculitis and collagenosis?

Collagenosis is a disease of the connective tissue, while vasculitis is mainly an inflammation of the vessels. Collagenosis manifests itself mainly through fever and a deterioration of the general condition. It can also lead to dryness of the eyes and mouth. Small bleedings into the skin (petechiae) are also possible. Thus, collagenosis can be very similar to vasculitis or vasculitis can also occur in the context of collagenosis.

Diagnostics

There are several treatment options for vasculitis. Which one is chosen depends on the type of vascular inflammation and the extent to which the organs are affected. As a rule, vasculitis is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.

These include, for example, cortisone, which can be used as a cream for external application, or as tablets for systemic therapy. In some cases, especially when the kidneys are severely affected, it is necessary to suppress the body’s own immune system. For this purpose, special drugs, the so-called immunosuppressive drugs, are used.

It is also possible to combine different active substances. Often vasculitis cannot be cured, but drug therapy has a positive influence on the course of the disease and can reduce the symptoms. After a vasculitis has been healed, the risk of developing another one is quite high.

Therefore it is very important to pay attention to early signals of the body and to consult a doctor immediately in case of persistent weakness, fever, night sweats or weight loss. If vasculitis is suspected or if you have been suffering from vasculitis for some time, the first place to go is your family doctor. He can write a referral to a specialist.

An emergency presentation can of course be made at any time at the hospital or at a medical on-call service. Specialized in vasculitis are doctors of internal medicine (internists) and especially rheumatologists. If vasculitis has been diagnosed, one should introduce oneself regularly in order to be able to optimally coordinate the therapy.