Henoch-Schönlein Purpura v7

Henoch-Schönlein Purpura 

Patient Information

Child Health Department

• Author ID: MF
• Leaflet ref: CH 015
• Version: 7
• Leaflet title: Henoch-Schönlein Purpura
• Last review: March 2022
• Expiry Date: March 2024

What is Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP)?

Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (say ‘hen-awk shern-line purr-purr-ah’) causes blood vessels to get inflamed (irritated and swollen). This inflammation is called vasculitis. It usually affects the small blood vessels in the skin (called capillaries). It can also affect blood vessels in the bowel and the kidneys. When the blood vessels get inflamed, they can bleed into the skin, causing a rash that is called purpura. The intestines and the kidneys may also bleed.

What causes HSP?

HSP is caused when a person’s immune system doesn’t fight an infection like it’s supposed to. It occurs most often in children from two to 11 years of age, but it can occur in anyone. Its exact cause is unknown. It might be triggered by bacterial infections, medicines, insect bites, vaccinations or exposure to chemicals or cold weather. You may catch an infection that caused someone’s immune system to respond with HSP, but HSP itself isn’t contagious. Doctors don’t know how to prevent HSP yet.

What are the symptoms of HSP?

HSP causes a skin rash, pain in the joints (such as the knees and ankles) and stomach pain. The rash looks like small bruises or small reddish-purple spots. It’s usually on the buttocks, around the elbows and on the legs. It can also appear in larger areas and look alarming. HSP can also cause fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. The symptoms usually last for about 4 to 6 weeks.

If the blood vessels in the bowel and the kidneys get inflamed, HSP can make you bleed when you have a bowel motion (poo) or when you pass urine (wee). Serious kidney problems don’t happen very often, but they can occur. In rare cases, an abnormal folding of the bowel called intussusception (say ‘in-tuh-suh-sep-shun’) can occur. This causes a blockage in your intestines that might need surgery.

How is HSP treated?

There is no specific treatment for HSP. Medicines can help you feel better and treat an infection that may have triggered HSP. Fortunately, HSP usually gets better without any treatment. Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen can help the pain in your joints. Sometimes medicines like prednisone can help people with severe joint and stomach pain.

What happens to people with HSP?

Most people do fine. Usually, HSP gets better on its own and doesn’t cause lasting problems. About half of the people who have had HSP once will get it again. A few people will have kidney damage because of HSP. We may want to check for kidney problems. You may be asked to test your child’s urine by a dipstick test at home to monitor for any abnormalities.

Please feel free to ask

If you have any questions or queries, which we have not covered in this leaflet, the staff will be pleased to answer your questions as clearly and honestly as they can.

Rainbow Ward, Tel: 01942 778762, Ward open 24 hours. Please note that we can only give specific advice where we have recently been involved in the care of a child.