Henoch Schonlein Purpura

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is an immune-mediated anaphylactoid reaction to bacterial or viral infection (especially beta-hemolytic streptococcus), drugs (penicillin, sulfonamides, and sedatives), and chemical toxins. It is idiopathic and causes vasculitis of the small vessels. It most commonly affects school-aged children.

Causes

Doctors think Henoch Schonlein Purpura is caused when a person's immune system doesn't fight an infection like it's supposed to. It might be triggered by such as includes bacterial, medicines, insect bites, vaccinations, exposure to chemicals or cold weather. You may catch an infection that caused someone's immune system to respond with Henoch Schonlein Purpura, but Henoch Schonlein Purpura itself isn't contagious.

This infection occurs most often in children from 2 to 11 years of age, but it can occur in anyone. 

Symptoms

• Migratory joint pain and swelling
• Colicky abdominal pain
• Rash on the lower extremities or dependent regions

Signs

• Physical findings of this illness are the result of showers of immune complexes throughout the body with resultant microhemorrhages at sites of deposition. The skin, joints, gut, and kidney are affected.
• Rash is purpuric with isolated petechiae at the ankles, lower extremity, and buttocks, along with edematous plaques, vesicles, and central necrosis

Treatment

Henoch-Schonlein purpura usually goes away without treatment within four to six weeks. When needed, treatment may include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to relieve joint pain and swelling
• Corticosteroids

Medicines can help you feel better and treat an infection that may have triggered Henoch-Schonlein purpura. Fortunately, Henoch-Schonlein purpura usually gets better without any treatment. Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can help the pain in your joints. Sometimes medicines like prednisone can help people with severe joint and stomach pain.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura may recur. Rarely, it may cause kidney damage.