Henoch Schonlein Purpura (HSP) Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Henoch Schonlein Purpura?

Henoch Schonlein Purpura is a disorder that causes inflammation and bleeding in the small blood vessels in the skin, joints, intestines and kidneys.

HSP is characterized by deposition of immune complexes containing the antibody IgA; the exact cause for this phenomenon is unknown.

Causes Of Henoch Schonlein Purpura:

In Henoch-Schonlein purpura, some of the body’s small blood vessels become inflamed, which can cause bleeding in the skin, joints, abdomen and kidneys.

Why this initial inflammation develops isn’t clear, although it may be the result of an overzealous immune system responding inappropriately to certain triggers.

Some common risk factors include:

The disease affects primarily children and young adults with the majority of cases occurring in children between 2 and 6 years of age.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura is slightly more common in boys than girls.

White and Asian children are more likely to develop Henoch-Schonlein purpura than black children are.

• Time of year.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura strikes mainly in autumn, winter and spring but rarely in summer.

Symptoms Of Henoch Schonlein Purpura:

HSP is marked by four major symptoms.

However, it is not necessary that patients exhibit all of the four symptoms.

• Rash (purpura).
• Reddish-purple spots, which look like bruises appear.
• The rash develops mainly on:

1. the buttocks,
2. legs and feet,
3. arms,
4. face
5. trunk

• Spots may be worse in areas of pressure, such as the sock line and waistline.
• Swollen, sore joints (arthritis).
• Painful, swollen joints, mainly in the knees and ankles.
• Joint pain sometimes precedes the classical rash by one or two days.
• Gastrointestinal symptoms.
• abdominal pain,
• nausea,
• vomiting
• Bloody stools.

These symptoms sometimes occur before the rash appears.

• Kidney involvement.

Diagnosis Of Henoch Schonlein Purpura:

A diagnosis of HSP is easily made if rash or gastrointestinal symptoms are present.

In case of absence of such symptoms, the following tests help in diagnosing HSP:

• Lab test
• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Imaging tests
• Biopsies

Treatment Of Henoch Schonlein Purpura:

HSP usually improves on its own after running its course.

Bed rest, plenty of fluids and over-the-counter pain relievers may help.

By : Natural Health News