Introduction|
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Also known as Anaphylactoid purpura.
Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a
disorder that causes inflammation and bleeding in the small blood vessels in
your skin, joints, intestines and kidneys.
The most striking feature of
Henoch-Schonlein purpura is a purplish rash, typically on the lower legs and
buttocks. Henoch-Schonlein purpura can also cause abdominal pain and aching
joints. Rarely serious kidney damage can occur.
HSP can affect people of any age, but the
majority of cases occur in children under 10.
The medical term for inflammation of the
blood vessels is vasculitis. Blood vessels throughout the body become irritated
and swollen, which can cause problems such as bleeding into the skin (resulting
in a rash) and occasionally problems affecting the kidneys and bowel.
HSP is not usually serious and most cases
get better within a few weeks.
Symptoms|
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The four main characteristics of
Henoch-Schonlein purpura include:
Skin Rash (purpura). that looks
like small bruises or reddish-purple spots, usually on the buttocks, around the
elbows and on the legs, and sometimes also on the face and upper body, are the
most distinctive and universal sign of Henoch-Schonlein purpura. The rash
develops mainly on the buttocks, legs and feet, but it can also appear on the
arms, face and trunk and may be worse in areas of pressure, such as the sock
line and waistline.
Swollen, sore joints (arthritis).
People with Henoch-Schonlein purpura often have pain and swelling around the
joints — mainly in the knees and ankles. Joint pain sometimes precedes the
classical rash by one or two weeks. These symptoms subside when the disease
clears and leave no lasting damage.
Gastrointestinal symptoms. Many
children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura develop gastrointestinal symptoms, such
as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or bloody stools. These symptoms sometimes
occur before the rash appears.
Kidney involvement.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura can also affect the kidneys. In most cases, this shows
up as protein or blood in the urine, which you may not even know is there
unless you have a urine test done. Usually this goes away once the illness
passes, but in a few cases, kidney disease may develop and even persist.
