Information On Capillary Fragility - Capillaritis, Purpura

Information On Capillary Fragility - Capillaritis, Purpura
Capillary is the smallest type of blood vessel in the vascular
system. Capillaries connect the smallest arteries with the smallest
veins; most are so narrow that only one blood cell can pass along them
at a time. The capillary wall is the conduit for material passing from
an artery to a vein. The function of capillaries is to carry
oxygen-rich blood to the tissues, to pass food substances to tissue
cells, and to carry away waste products, such as carbon dioxide.

Capillaritis is the name given to a harmless skin condition in which
there are reddish-brown patches caused by leaky capillaries. It is also
known as pigmented purpura.

Purpura is a skin discoloration caused by bleeding (hemorrhage)
under the skin. A small hemorrhage is called a petechia and a large
one, as in a bruise, is called an ecchymosis. Purpura may result from
trauma, from fragility of the blood vessels, or from clotting disorders.

Fragility of the blood vessels usually is inherited, although it
seldom is serious. In a more serious inherited form of the disorder, a
condition known as telangiectasia, there are obvious abnormalities of
the blood vessels in the lips, mouth, and fingers.

There is no known cure for most cases of capillaritis. It can
disappear within a few weeks, recur from time to time, or frequently
persist for years.

Consider if a medication could be the cause: discontinue it for
several months to find out if the capillaritis improves. Try avoiding
food preservatives and artificial coloring agents. Return to a normal
diet if there is no improvement after several months. Topical steroids
can be helpful for itching but rarely clear the capillaritis. If the
lower leg is affected, consider wearing graduated compression elastic
hose. Currently available lasers are not particularly helpful for this
condition.

Prolonged treatment with drugs such as aspirin and cortisone may
also result in purpura. Scurvy (caused by lack of vitamin C) is another
disorder that causes purpura. A rare, but serious, cause of purpura is
Henoch-Schenlein purpura, which may follow an upper respiratory tract
infection that damages the blood vessels.

PCOs are believed to improve capillary stability, and are used for
venous insufficiency, liver cirrhosis, diabetic retinopathy,
postsurgical lymphedema, postoperative facial edema, sports injury
related edema, repeated ecchymoses, and purpuric syndromes.

PCOs are a variety of flavonoid-like proanthocyanidins
found in numerous plants. Some of the most abundant sources are grape
seeds and maritime pine bark. Other food sources include hawthorn
flowers, various berries, onions, legumes, red wine, and parsley, and
related chemicals are found in bilberry.
Collectively, they are known as procyanidolic oligomers. Recent in
vitro studies suggest that grape seed PCOs possess superior antioxidant
activity to vitamin C or vitamin E. This antioxidant effect occurs in
both polar and nonpolar media, giving PCOs a certain functional
similarity to lipoic acid. In Europe, PCOs are widely used to treat
conditions believed to be related to increased capillary fragility.
These include venous insufficiency (varicose veins and hemorrhoids),
other unsightly superficial blood vessels, easy bruising, edema of
various causes, and diabetic retinopathy. PCOs are also used for aging skin, Macular Degeneration, allergic rhinitis, and Atherosclerosis. Additionally, they are promoted as general antioxidants.