Eosinophilic Fasciitis
(Shulman's Syndrome)
Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What are eosinophils?
Eosinophils are a particular type of white blood
cells, usually representing a small percentage (less than 8% of
the total white blood cell population). The number
of these cells (eosinophil count) increases in certain illnesses, including allergies,
asthma, Addison's disease, sarcoidosis, parasite infections, drug
reactions, and connective tissue diseases (such as rheumatoid
arthritis and scleroderma).
What is fascia?
The fascia is a lining tissue under the skin that covers a
surface of underlying tissues. When the fascia is inflamed, the condition is
referred to as "fasciitis."
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.
Next: How is eosinophilic fasciitis diagnosed? »
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