Living with Livedoid vasculopathy
A blood vessel condition that causes painful sores and scars on the feet and lower legs.
Understanding Livedoid vasculopathy
Lesions begin as painful red or purple marks and spots and may progress to small, tender, irregular ulcers. It may occur alone or along with another condition such as lupus or thrombophilia (a tendency to form clots). It usually begins in the teens or adulthood.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Painful red or purple spots on the feet and lower legs
- Open sores (ulcers)
- Scarring (atrophie blanche)
- Swelling around the ankles
- Net-like skin pattern (cutis marmorata)
- Abnormal blood clots
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include skin, hair, and nail specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Vasculitis Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Vasculitis Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Vasculitis Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition. It may occur alone or with lupus or thrombophilia.
Also known as: idiopathic livedo reticularis with summer ulceration; livedo reticularis with summer ulcerations; livedoid vasculitis; milian atrophie blanche; segmental hyalinizing vasculitis
Patient organizations
- Vasculitis FoundationLivedoid vasculopathy · United States
- Children's Skin Disease FoundationSkin diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Livedoid vasculopathy.
Explore research for Livedoid vasculopathy
Explore actively recruiting Livedoid vasculopathy studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Livedoid vasculopathy with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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