What is eosinophilic fasciitis?
Eosinophilic fasciitis is a specific disease of the skin that leads to inflammation and thickening of the skin and fascia underneath. In patients with eosinophilic fasciitis, the involved fascia is inflamed with the eosinophil type of white blood cells. This leads to symptoms of progressive thickening and often redness, warmth, and hardness of the skin surface. Occasionally, the onset of eosinophilic fasciitis follows a period of exertional physical activity. Eosinophilic fasciitis is sometimes confused with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome and scleroderma. Eosinophilic fasciitis sometimes occurs associated with cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma. How is eosinophilic fasciitis diagnosed? The diagnosis of eosinophilic fasciitis is made with a biopsy of a full thickness of involved skin. How is eosinophilic fasciitis treated? Treatment of eosinophilic fasciitis is directed at eliminating the tissue inflammation and includes aspirin, other antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and cortisone.
