Final answer:
Small vessel vasculitis can cause cutaneous manifestations such as petechiae, hypopigmented skin, skin lesions, nodules, and, in severe cases, loss of peripheral nerve function or extremities. Skin involvement may vary from petechial rashes to larger hemorrhagic lesions depending on the severity of the vasculitis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Small vessel vasculitis involves inflammation of the small blood vessels, leading to a variety of cutaneous manifestations. One of the most telling signs of this condition is the presence of petechiae, which are small red or purple spots on the skin caused by blood leakage from damaged vessels. Additionally, vasculitis can also cause other types of skin lesions, such as hypopigmented skin, nodules, and potentially severe outcomes like loss of peripheral nerve function or even loss of fingers, toes, and extremities if blood flow is severely compromised.
In infections like meningococcal meningitis, which can cause vasculitis, the cutaneous manifestations can include a petechial rash and possibly larger hemorrhagic lesions in more severe cases. Other skin-related symptoms of small vessel vasculitis, influenced by the underlying cause, may include inflamed swollen patches of skin, often on the face (erysipelas), and small red nodules on the shins (erythema nodosum).