OTHER FORMS OF FOOD ALLERGY: INFLAMMATION OF THE BLOOD VESSELS AND SPONTANEOUS BRUISING
If inflammation occurs in the walls of the blood vessels, the vessels become more permeable as we have already seen. When the inflammation is not too serious, and mainly affects the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in the skin, the result is likely to be urticaria or nettle-rash. In such circumstances it is mainly fluid that leaks from the blood vessels, with few cells making an escape.
If the inflammation is more serious, then the blood vessels can become much more leaky and even break open, so that red and white blood cells escape into the surrounding tissue, as well as fluid. This condition is known as vasculitis and it may affect larger blood vessels as well as capillaries.
The first noticeable sign of vasculitis is usually swelling, or oedema, due to water leaking from the blood into the surrounding tissues. If there is generalized oedema – a reaction that affects the whole body – there will be a marked gain in weight, as much as 5 kg (over 11 lb) in 24 hours. There may also be aches and pains, especially in the legs, that tend to come and go.
As the condition gets worse, the blood vessels become more leaky and eventually rupture. Red blood cells start to seep into the tissues and are noticeable externally as tiny reddish spots, which then turn purple or black, and finally yellowish before disappearing – the same sort of colour changes as are seen in a bruise. The condition is known as purpura. Larger escapes of blood produce spontaneous bruising.
If vasculitis is allowed to continue unchecked, more serious damage to the vessel wall may occur, and this can eventually lead to a vein becoming permanently inflamed or even completely blocked. Such damage is serious and often irreversible, so it is important to treat vasculitis at an early stage.
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