Purple Glove Syndrome Definition, Pictures, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Purple glove syndrome is a skin disease. It is a rare condition which is commonly known as the rare complication of use of drug named phenytoin. It occurs due to the poor intravenous infiltration of the phenytoin. The exact pathophysiology is not known. Purple glove syndrome is a rarely occurring syndrome which is least understood yet. In this skin disease, the extremities become swollen. Patient feels pain and discomfort. It is a rare but serious pathological condition. Elder people are more prone to this purple glove syndrome.
Other than this, people taking a large amount of phenytoin may develop this syndrome readily. Phenytoin is a drug used in a CNS disease named epilepsy. So people taking treatment of epilepsy may develop purple glove syndrome readily. Though it is a rare complication but once it occurs, it may prove fatal for the patient. Purple glove syndrome may occur within 24 hours after the infusion of phenytoin. It will take about days to week to recover completely. Due to its symptoms, it can easily be mixed up with other diseases like cellulitis, abscess, erysipelas, lymphangitis and many other diseases. Not only on the basis of symptoms, but it's appearance also matters a lot.
It is a skin disease and can easily be seen on the surface. The redness is the initial symptom of purple glove syndrome. There may be peripheral edema and this peripheral edema basically cause redness. This syndrome appear in the form of blisters and patient feels pain on these blisters. The area of blisters may become discolored and it is the most prominent symptom of purple glove syndrome making it different from other diseases. Patient may feel no sensation on the region. There may be no pulse. Necrosis occurs on the ski surface due to itching on blisters.
Intravenous phenytoin is the main cause behind purple glove syndrome appearance. Phenytoin is famous for its neurological side effects. It is a rare complication of phenytoin but it may prove fatal and can cause limbs amputation. The exact pathophysiology behind this is not known but the possible mechanisms may be
Vasculitis, chemical irritation to the agents named sodium hydroxide and propylene glycol, micro thrombus formation, vasoconstriction and leakage of phenytoin in the soft tissue nearby having edema. All these mechanisms may lead to the purple glove syndrome with excess amount of phenytoin on the blood stream.
As it is the complication of phenytoin so physician recommends to quit the use of phenytoin. Reducing or quiting the intake of phenytoin helps a lot in controlling purple glove syndrome. Other than this, heat packs are applied on the skin to relief pain. Other than intravenous phenytoin, oral phenytoin may also cause purple glove syndrome. Topical nitroglycerin is used on rash. Elevation and massage of soft tissue helps to relief symptoms. Another way to relief symptoms is blockage of brachial nerve plexus. In some cases, anticoagulants are also used but its effect is not known till now.
Other than this, people taking a large amount of phenytoin may develop this syndrome readily. Phenytoin is a drug used in a CNS disease named epilepsy. So people taking treatment of epilepsy may develop purple glove syndrome readily. Though it is a rare complication but once it occurs, it may prove fatal for the patient. Purple glove syndrome may occur within 24 hours after the infusion of phenytoin. It will take about days to week to recover completely. Due to its symptoms, it can easily be mixed up with other diseases like cellulitis, abscess, erysipelas, lymphangitis and many other diseases. Not only on the basis of symptoms, but it's appearance also matters a lot.
Purple Glove Syndrome Images
Purple Glove Syndrome Syndrome
It is a skin disease and can easily be seen on the surface. The redness is the initial symptom of purple glove syndrome. There may be peripheral edema and this peripheral edema basically cause redness. This syndrome appear in the form of blisters and patient feels pain on these blisters. The area of blisters may become discolored and it is the most prominent symptom of purple glove syndrome making it different from other diseases. Patient may feel no sensation on the region. There may be no pulse. Necrosis occurs on the ski surface due to itching on blisters.
Purple Glove Syndrome Causes
Intravenous phenytoin is the main cause behind purple glove syndrome appearance. Phenytoin is famous for its neurological side effects. It is a rare complication of phenytoin but it may prove fatal and can cause limbs amputation. The exact pathophysiology behind this is not known but the possible mechanisms may be
Vasculitis, chemical irritation to the agents named sodium hydroxide and propylene glycol, micro thrombus formation, vasoconstriction and leakage of phenytoin in the soft tissue nearby having edema. All these mechanisms may lead to the purple glove syndrome with excess amount of phenytoin on the blood stream.
Purple Glove Syndrome Treatment
As it is the complication of phenytoin so physician recommends to quit the use of phenytoin. Reducing or quiting the intake of phenytoin helps a lot in controlling purple glove syndrome. Other than this, heat packs are applied on the skin to relief pain. Other than intravenous phenytoin, oral phenytoin may also cause purple glove syndrome. Topical nitroglycerin is used on rash. Elevation and massage of soft tissue helps to relief symptoms. Another way to relief symptoms is blockage of brachial nerve plexus. In some cases, anticoagulants are also used but its effect is not known till now.
Purple Glove Syndrome Definition, Pictures, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Reviewed by Simon Albert
on
February 11, 2019
Rating:
Reviewed by Simon Albert
on
February 11, 2019
Rating:
