What is hsp

It can also affect blood vessels in the intestines and the kidneys. HSP can lead to complications in the lungs or brain, but this is extremely rare. The cause of HSP is unknown, but it is most commonly triggered by a viral illness e. HSP usually affects children from two to 10 years of age, but it can happen in anyone.

There is no known way to prevent HSP. The signs of HSP can take days to weeks to fully develop. The distinctive rash almost always occurs in HSP, but is not always the first symptom to develop. In rare cases, an abnormal folding of the bowel called intussusception can occur. This causes a blockage in the intestines that may need surgery. Take your child back to the GP if they have HSP and they have increasing pain or swelling, blood in their stools or urine, or if you are worried at all.

If your child is unwell with a fever and a skin rash small bright red spots or purple spots or unexplained bruises that does not turn to skin-colour blanch when you press on it, this may be a sign of meningococcal infection see our fact sheet Meningococcal infection. Your child may not need any medicines; however, the GP may prescribe a drug called prednisolone to help with severe stomach pains or very painful joints.

It rarely occurs in adults. HSP can occur at any time of the year, though it is more common in the winter. The exact cause of HSP is unknown. In some patients, the symptoms start after an upper respiratory tract infection or cold, but HSP is not contagious.

Inflammation in the blood vessel wall leads to bleeding into the skin, which causes the rash of HSP. Bleeding into the stool and urine can also occur. 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.

The rash is necessary for the diagnosis of HSP but is not always the first symptom to appear. When joint pain, swelling, or abdominal pain start before appearance of the rash, diagnosis can be challenging. Tests in children with suspected HSP depend on the patient, but might include the following:. Most children with HSP do not require any specific treatment and recover with time alone. Joint pain can often be controlled with rest and over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

Steroids given by mouth or through an IV infusion are typically given for severe abdominal pain. Show references Henoch-Schonlein purpura. Accessed May 13, Kliegman RM, et al. Henoch-Schonlein purpura. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Philadelphia, Pa. Dedeoglu F, et al. IgA vasculitis Henoch-Schonlein purpura : Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. IgA vasculitis Henoch-Schonlein purpura : Management. Ferri FF. IgA vasculitis.

It is more common to have a purpuric outbreak on the lower extremities. However, an outbreak can occur on the abdomen, chest, or as in the case with this woman, on the upper extremities. Note the hive-like lesions that appear larger than the papules. The rash may also be itchy. Colonoscopy of HSP-affected bowel. This image shows what the lining of the bowel could look like when it is inflamed and swollen, as in HSP.

Looks painful…it is. All information contained within the Johns Hopkins Vasculitis website is intended for educational purposes only. Physicians and other health care professionals are encouraged to consult other sources and confirm the information contained within this site. Consumers should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something they may have read on this website.

Therefore, treatment is not indicated in all cases, and full recovery is the rule. HSP is more common in children than adults, but has a tendency to be more severe when it occurs in adults. In a small minority of cases, HSP can cause severe kidney or bowel disease. First Description Dr. Usually, HSP affects a child shortly after an upper respiratory infection has resolved. Figure 3.