Health Library

Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP), also called IgA vasculitis, is a condition that causes swelling and inflammation of small blood vessels (vasculitis). This inflammation makes blood vessels leak and a rash is formed.The rash can appear anywhere, but it's most common on the arms, legs, and butt. HSP can also cause:

1. Bleeding into your bowel and kidneys.
2. Joint inflammation.
3. Kidney damage. This can lead to long-term or end-stage kidney disease.

What are the causes?

HSP is caused by the body's defense system (immune system) being overactive. This means that something triggers your immune system to produce antibodies that attack your blood vessels. This is called an autoimmune reaction. Triggers for HSP may include:

1. Infections from certain viruses or bacteria.
2. Certain medicines.
3. Certain types of cancer.

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to develop HSP if:

1. You have allergies.
2. You have a family history of HSP.
3. You are male.

What are the signs or symptoms?

The main symptom of HSP is a skin rash that may look like raised bruises or dots. The rash changes color over time from reddish-purple to rust-colored.

Other symptoms include:

1. Fever.
2. Tiredness.
3. Belly pain. This may include feeling like you may throw up, throwing up, and diarrhea, which is watery poop.
4. Blood or protein in your pee.
5. Blood in your poop.
6. Swollen and painful joints, especially the knees and ankles.
7. Swollen arms, legs, and testicles.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

1. Your symptoms and medical history.
2. A physical exam.
3. Pee tests to check for blood or protein.
4. Blood tests to check for complications and to make sure there is not another cause of your illness.
5. A skin biopsy, which is when a small piece of skin is removed for testing.
6. A kidney biopsy.

How is this treated?

There is no cure for this condition, but treatment can help to relieve symptoms. Treatment may include:

a. Staying in bed (bed rest).

b. Drinking more fluids.

c. Taking medicines to reduce inflammation and pain. These may include:

1. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, to relieve aches and fever.
2. Corticosteroids to lessen inflammation and relieve pain.

d. In very bad cases, you may need to be cared for in the hospital.

e. Kidney damage may need to be treated with medicines that reduce the activity of the immune system (immunosuppressants).

f. Kidney failure may be treated with a process to clean the blood of wastes, salt, and extra fluid (dialysis).

Follow these instructions at home:

Activity

1. Rest and avoid strenuous activities as told by your health care provider.
2. Return to your normal activities as told by your provider. Ask your provider what activities are safe for you.

General instructions

1. Take your medicines only as told.
2. Track your blood pressure. Report changes in your blood pressure as told.
3. Drink more fluids as told.
4. Keep all follow-up visits. Your provider will need to check on your condition.

Contact a health care provider if:

1. Your symptoms get worse, and medicines do not help.
2. You have blood in your pee or poop.
3. You throw up repeatedly.
4. You have pain in your belly, or haven't been pooping.
5. You become confused.

Get help right away if:

1. You have a lot of blood in your pee or poop.
2. You are not able to pee.
3. You have trouble breathing.
4. You have chest pain.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Call 108 right away.

Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.

Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.