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By Mayo Clinic staffIn 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 of these triggers include:
- Viral and bacterial infections, such as strep throat and parvovirus infection — nearly half the children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura develop it after an upper respiratory infection
- Certain medicines, including some types of antibiotics and antihistamines
- Insect bites
- Some vaccinations, including those for measles, typhoid, yellow fever and cholera
- Cold weather
- Certain chemicals
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- Dedeoglu F, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Aug. 17, 2008.
- Gibson KL, et al. Corticosteroid therapy for Henoch-Schonlein purpura. Pediatrics. 2008;121(4):870-871.
- Henoch-Schonlein purpura. Vasculitis Foundation. http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/HenochSchonleinpurpura. Accessed Aug. 10, 2008.
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- Henoch-Schonlein Purpura. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/HSP. Accessed Aug. 10, 2008.