Welcome and thank you for your interesting question.
For the benefit of all our readers, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, sometimes called vascular purpura, is a rare disease in which the smallest blood vessel,s which are called capillaries, swell and become tender. The inflammation itself then causes changes in the blood vessels. It is the most common form of childhood vascular inflammation.
The symptoms of the disease usually develop suddenly. Symptoms may include bloody stools, fever, headaches, and joint pain. A person with the disorder may have loss of appetite, painful menstruation, and red or purple spots that develop on the skin of the buttocks, lower legs and elbows. Gastrointestinal symptoms include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
The cause is yet unknown, but research indicates that it maybe an autoimmune disorder in which the body's defense systems attack the body itself. It may be an abnormal response to a virus or an infection. In rare cases, it may be caused by an extreme allergic reaction to a food, a drug such as penicillin, exposure to cold, insect bites or other irritating substances.
The syndrome is seen more often in children, but people of any age can develop Henoch-Schönlein purpura. About half of the children who develop the condition had an infection of the lungs and upper respiratory tract before the symptoms developed. It is more common in boys than in girls.
Anonymous, there is no cure. There is no specific treatment for this disorder. Most cases disappear without treatment. If symptoms persist, therapy with corticosteroids such as prednisone is usually tried.
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Hello Anonymous,
Welcome and thank you for your interesting question.
For the benefit of all our readers, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, sometimes called vascular purpura, is a rare disease in which the smallest blood vessel,s which are called capillaries, swell and become tender. The inflammation itself then causes changes in the blood vessels. It is the most common form of childhood vascular inflammation.
The symptoms of the disease usually develop suddenly. Symptoms may include bloody stools, fever, headaches, and joint pain. A person with the disorder may have loss of appetite, painful menstruation, and red or purple spots that develop on the skin of the buttocks, lower legs and elbows. Gastrointestinal symptoms include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
The cause is yet unknown, but research indicates that it maybe an autoimmune disorder in which the body's defense systems attack the body itself. It may be an abnormal response to a virus or an infection. In rare cases, it may be caused by an extreme allergic reaction to a food, a drug such as penicillin, exposure to cold, insect bites or other irritating substances.
The syndrome is seen more often in children, but people of any age can develop Henoch-Schönlein purpura. About half of the children who develop the condition had an infection of the lungs and upper respiratory tract before the symptoms developed. It is more common in boys than in girls.
Anonymous, there is no cure. There is no specific treatment for this disorder. Most cases disappear without treatment. If symptoms persist, therapy with corticosteroids such as prednisone is usually tried.
I hope this information is helpful.
Regards,
September 5, 2014 - 8:38amMaryann
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