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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
There are four main characteristics of Henoch-Schonlein purpura, although not everyone with the disease develops all four. They include:
- Rash (purpura). Reddish-purple spots, which look like bruises, are the most distinctive and universal sign of Henoch-Schonlein purpura. The rash develops mainly on the buttocks, legs and feet, but it can also appear on the arms, face and trunk and may be worse in areas of pressure, such as the sock line and waistline.
- Swollen, sore joints (arthritis). People with Henoch-Schonlein purpura often have painful, swollen joints — mainly in the knees and ankles. Joint pain sometimes precedes the classical rash by one or two days. These symptoms subside when the disease clears and leave no lasting damage.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms. More than half the children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura develop gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or bloody stools. These symptoms usually develop within eight days of developing the classic rash.
- Kidney involvement. About 20 to 50 percent of people with Henoch-Schonlein purpura have some degree of kidney involvement. In most cases, this manifests itself as protein or blood in the urine, or both, which you may not even know is there unless you have a urine test done. Usually this goes away once the illness passes, but in a few cases, kidney disease may develop and even persist.
When to see a doctor
In some cases, Henoch-Schonlein purpura causes serious problems of the bowel or kidneys. See your doctor or your child's pediatrician as soon as possible if you notice the distinctive rash and other symptoms.
References
- McCarthy HJ, et al. Clinical practice: Diagnosis and management of Henoch-Schonlein purpura. European Journal of Pediatrics. 2010;169:643.
- Dedeoglu F, et al. Management of Henoch-Schonlein purpura. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 2, 2010.
- Dedeoglu F, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Sept. 7, 2010.
- Gedalia A, et al. Systemic vasculitis in childhood. Current Rheumatology Reports. 2009;11:402.
- Henoch-Schonlein purpura. Vasculitis Foundation. http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/HenochSchonleinpurpura. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
- Henoch-Schonlein Purpura. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/HSP. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
- Niaudet P, et al. Renal manifestations of Henoch-Schonlein purpura. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
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