In this Article

• What are eosinophils?
• What is fascia?
• What is eosinophilic fasciitis?
• How is eosinophilic fasciitis diagnosed?
• How is eosinophilic fasciitis treated?
• Eosinophilic Fasciitis Glossary
• Eosinophilic Fasciitis Index

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. Many patients will improve spontaneously. Others can be afflicted with persistent tissue and joint pain, in addition to thickening of the involved tissues.

For aggressive eosinophilic fasciitis, cortisone medications (such as prednisone and prednisolone) are considered along with immune suppression medications (such as cyclophosphamide [Cytoxan] and penicillamine [Depen, Cuprimine]).

Recent medical research has shown that the immune-suppression drug methotrexate can provide an added benefit in treating eosinophilic fasciitis. This methotrexate research strongly suggests that methotrexate can reduce both the immune inflammation and the need for continued cortisone medications.

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• prednisone, Deltasone, Liquid Pred - Defines the medication prednisone (Deltasone, Liquid Pred) a drug used for suppressing the immune system and inflammation. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interaction, and side effects.
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