If AAV affects other areas of your body, additional specialists may be drafted to help with diagnosis and treatment. It’s important to start this care soon after your diagnosis, Warrington says, so you can manage your condition effectively.
Neurologist
When AAV causes inflammation of the small blood vessels connected to your nerves, you may see a neurologist. This doctor addresses issues with your nervous system, including your brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include weakness, trouble walking, and a tingling “pins and needles” feeling in your hands and feet.
[2]
These symptoms may affect as many as 70 percent of people with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), a type of AAV, as well as those with the AAV type called microscopic polyangiitis (MPA).
[9]
[10]
Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist specializes in treating eye issues and vision problems. About half of people with GPA encounter eye and vision problems, though they occur with other types of AAV, too. Common symptoms include painful redness in your eyes, blurred vision, and inflammation of layers of your eye, such as uveitis.
[11]
An ophthalmologist can help you catch eye problems quickly before they threaten your vision permanently.
Dermatologist
Skin rashes and discoloration are common AAV symptoms, which is where a dermatologist may come into play in your treatment.
[2]
In addition to treating skin conditions, a dermatologist specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the hair and nails. About a quarter of people with AAV may get some type of skin lesion as well.
[12]
These skin issues may be indicative of a deeper health issue. Your dermatologist will work with you and your care team to pinpoint the cause and treatment.
Vascular Surgeon
Surgery to repair damaged blood vessels may be necessary to treat complications from AAV.
“While vascular surgery is not used to control the underlying inflammatory process, it may be required in certain cases where vascular damage has already occurred,” says Daniel Torrent, MD, MPH, Society for Vascular Surgery ambassador and vascular surgeon at Longstreet Clinic in Gainesville, Georgia.
In these cases, a vascular surgeon will repair damaged blood vessels once inflammation is under control, he says. Usually, however, surgery only occurs when AAV is more serious.
“Surgical intervention is typically reserved for organ- or limb-threatening complications, such as critical arterial stenosis, ischemia (low blood flow), aneurysm formation with risk of rupture, or thrombosis,” Dr. Torrent says.
