Weber-Christian disease
Types of panniculitis
The layer of fat underneath the skin is made of lobules (groups of fat cells) held together by connective tissue. Doctors sometimes classify the disease as either:
- mostly septal the inflammation mostly affects the connective tissue
- mostly lobular it mostly affects the fat lobules
Some people will also have vasculitis, where the immune system attacks the body's blood vessels. If a blood vessel is inflamed, it can narrow or close off, this can limit, or even prevent, blood flow through the vessel and potentially damage organs.
The most common type of panniculitis is erythema nodosum, which affects the shins. In about half of all cases of erythema nodosum, the cause is unknown.
A similar form of the disease is Weber-Christian disease, also known as idiopathic lobular panniculitis (idiopathic means unknown cause). This most commonly affects the thighs and lower legs of women aged 30-60, and can also cause the non-skin symptoms mentioned above, such as fever and fatigue.
Other types include:
- erythema induratum (nodular vasculitis), which usually affects the calves of young women and is often caused by tuberculosis
- cold panniculitis, which affects areas of skin exposed to the cold for example, it can affect the cheeks and forehead of infants and children
- subcutaneous sarcoidosis, when the cause is the rare disease sarcoidosis
A full list of all the different types of panniculitis can be found on DermNet NZ , which provides pictures and detailed information on the specific types.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Panniculitis is a broad term meaning inflammation of the fatty layer underneath the skin. It is usually seen in women, on the thighs and lower legs.
Other symptoms
As well as skin symptoms, panniculitis may also be associated with: fever fatigue weight loss nausea and vomiting joint pain
What are the causes?
There are a wide range of possible causes of panniculitis, although often the cause is not known. Common causes include: an infection usually a viral or bacterial infection, but sometimes Tuberculos
Types of panniculitis
The layer of fat underneath the skin is made of lobules (groups of fat cells) held together by connective tissue. Doctors sometimes classify the disease as either: mostly septal the inflammation mos
How is panniculitis treated?
Doctors will aim to treat the underlying cause of the panniculitis, if known, and relieve some of the symptoms. While treatment is underway, you will be asked to ensure you get enough rest and to elev
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