Weber-Christian Disease
What is Weber-Christian disease?
Weber-Christian disease is also referred to as Christian disease.
Christian disease is the correct term for a disease that is associated
with a skin condition that features recurring inflammation in the fat
layer of skin (panniculitis). The involved areas of skin become reddish,
tender, and raised (inflamed). Usually both sides of the body are affected
and the thighs and lower legs are the most frequent areas. The inflamed
areas can loose their blood supply, the skin can actually die in the area,
ooze yellowish drainage, and become infected. Scarring is common.
Weber-Christian disease is also referred to as idiopathic nodular panniculitis.
What are other symptoms of Weber-Christian disease?
Weber-Christian disease can also cause symptoms other than in the skin,
such as fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and joint pain.
Occasionally inflammation occurs in other organs of the body to cause
heart, lung, kidney, liver, and/or spleen problems. Symptoms come and go.
What causes Weber-Christian disease?
The cause of Weber-Christian disease is not known.
What is the prognosis of Weber-Christian disease?
The prognosis or longterm outlook is very different for each patient
with Weber-Christian disease and depends on the severity of organ
involvement. Some patients have mild, annoying symptoms, while in others
Weber-Christian disease can be fatal. After several years of symptoms,
Weber-Christian disease frequently goes away permanently (remission).
What is the treatment for Weber-Christian disease?
Treatment usually includes medication for pain as well as topical salves
to treat and prevent infection in the local skin areas. When internal
organs are inflamed, medicines directed toward the underlying inflammation
are considered. There is no treatment that is specific for Weber-Christian
disease and antiinflammation therapy may not be effective.
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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
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Last Editorial Review: 4/24/2002
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