Is Henoch-Schönlein purpura serious?
The most serious complication of Henoch-Schonlein purpura is kidney damage. This risk is greater in adults than in children. Occasionally the damage is severe enough that dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed.
What is the most common primary symptom of schönlein Henoch purpura?
Causes and Risk Factors for Henoch-Schonlein Purpura The main symptom is a rash with numerous small bruises, which have a raised appearance, over the legs or buttocks. Other symptoms can include joint and abdominal pain as well as kidney impairment. HSP most commonly occurs in children and in boys more than girls.
What is Henoch-Schönlein purpura HSP?
Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a condition that involves swelling (inflammation) of small blood vessels. The swollen blood vessels leak into the skin, joints, intestines, and kidneys. HSP is seen most often in children between ages 2 and 6. It occurs more often in boys.
Can Henoch-Schönlein purpura be cured?
There is currently no cure for HSP, but in most cases, the symptoms will resolve without treatment. A person may take steps to relieve and manage any joint pain, abdominal pain, or swelling they are experiencing. Pain can be initially managed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
What autoimmune diseases cause purpura?
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a rare autoimmune disorder that causes you to have low platelet levels. Platelets are cell fragments that are found in the blood and normally help the blood to clot. In people with ITP, the body produces antibodies that attack and destroy the platelets.
Can adults get Henoch Schonlein?
Clinical Features. Adult-onset HSP been described [4,8,12-20], (though 90% of cases still occur in children), with only 3.4 to 14.3 cases per million reported in the adult population [4].
How is HSP diagnosed?
There is no specific test to diagnose HSP. It is diagnosed based on recognition of the classic symptoms, and exclusion of other conditions that can cause a similar rash. In many children with a classic rash, minimal testing is needed to establish a diagnosis of HSP.
What is the best treatment for purpura?
How is purpura treated?
- Corticosteroids. Your doctor may start you on a corticosteroid medication, which can help increase your platelet count by decreasing the activity of your immune system.
- Intravenous immunoglobulin.
- Other drug therapies.
- Splenectomy.
How do you test for Henoch Schonlein?
There is no definitive test to diagnose Henoch-Schönlein purpura. The clinical triad of purpura, abdominal pain, and arthritis should raise concern. Palpable purpura in the absence of thrombocytopenia is most suggestive and is present in all patients.
Where does HSP come from?
The cause of HSP is unknown, but it is most commonly triggered by a viral illness (e.g. a cold), and it occurs most often in the spring. HSP usually affects children from two to 10 years of age, but it can happen in anyone. HSP itself is not contagious, but the infection that has triggered HSP may be contagious.
How do you prevent Henoch-Schonlein purpura?
HSP can be prevented only to the extent that one minimizes exposure to viruses and certain drugs that could cause the abnormal immune response. As it is impossible to know who will get HSP, it is not possible to actually prevent it.