National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Lymphocytic vasculitis


Other Names:
Vasculitis lymphocytic, nodular
Categories:
Lymphocytic vasculitis is one of several skin conditions which are collectively referred to as cutaneous vasculitis. In lymphocytic vasculitis, white blood cells (lymphocytes) cause damage to blood vessels in the skin. This condition is thought to be caused by a number of factors, but the exact cause of most cases is not known. This disease can present with a variety of symptoms, depending on the size, location, and severity of the affected area. In a minority of patients, cutaneous vasculitis can be part of a more severe vasculitis affecting other organs in the body - this is known as systemic vasculitis.[1][2]
Last updated: 11/13/2014
Lymphocytic vasculitis can cause a number of different symptoms.  Hives, red or purplish discolored patches, a bump (nodule), or an open sore (ulcer) have all been described as symptoms of this condition.  The size, location, and severity of symptoms varies widely among affected individuals.  Additional symptoms may occur if the vasculitis also affects internal organs; this is known as systemic vasculitis.  The symptoms of systemic vasculitis depend on which organs are affected and to what degree.[2]

Last updated: 11/13/2014

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

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Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Abnormality of metabolism/homeostasis
Laboratory abnormality
Metabolism abnormality
[ more ] 		0001939
Autosomal dominant inheritance 0000006
Nodular inflammatory vasculitis 0005300
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Last updated: 7/1/2020
Lymphocytic vasculitis is thought to be caused by a number of different factors, such as infection, trauma, drug reaction, or an underlying condition such as arthritis.[2]  Because this condition is rare and not yet well understood, it is believed that a full list of possible causes has yet to be assembled.[3]
Last updated: 11/13/2014
The prognosis of lymphocytic vasculitis depends on the extent and severity of the disease.  In most cases, lymphocytic vasculitis affects only the skin and may be a mild, benign condition that eventually heals.  One study found that the skin findings lasted an average of two and a half years.[2]  However, a minority of individuals with this condition may progress to systemic vasculitis such that the damage to the blood vessels affects internal organs.  This suggests a less favorable outlook that could result in a chronic, debilitating condition; the severity of systemic vasculitis depends on which organs are affected.  [2]
Last updated: 11/13/2014

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • DermNet NZ is an online resource about skin diseases developed by the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated. DermNet NZ provides information about this condition.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Lymphocytic vasculitis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

  • I have just been diagnosed with lymphocytic vasculitis. What causes this condition? What are the symptoms? Could this be a chronic debilitating condition? See answer


  1. Cutaneous Vasculitis. DermNet NZ. September 2014; http://dermnetnz.org/vascular/vasculitis.html. Accessed 11/13/2014.
  2. Carlson JA, Ng BT, Chen KR. Cutaneous vasculitis update: diagnostic criteria, classification, epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, evaluation and prognosis. The American Journal of Dermatopathology. 2005; 27(6):504-528. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16314707. Accessed 11/13/2014.
  3. Carlson JA, Chen KR. Cutaneous vasculitis update: neutrophilic muscular vessel and eosinophilic, granulomatous, and lymphocytic vasculitis syndromes. The American Journal of Dermatopathology. 2007; 29(1):32-43. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17284960. Accessed 11/13/2014.