Covenant Family Practice - Allergic Purpura

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Allergic Purpura

Written by Robert A Wilson

Thursday, 15 February 2007

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Allergic Purpura
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Allergic Purpura, (also known as Henoch-Schonlein purpura, vascular purpura, skin hemorrhages, or blood spots), is an allergic disorder resulting in sudden bleeding into the skin (causing a rash), joints, intestines, or other internal organs. The cause is unknown but thought to be an autoimmune reaction (a reaction caused by inflammation and destruction of tissues by the body’s own antibodies). Children are more commonly affected with it occurring in boys twice as often as girls. Risk increases with a recent illness, especially a sore throat caused by a bacterial infection, respiratory infection, and the use of sulfa drugs.

Symptoms may include:

A sore throat 2 weeks prior to other symptoms appearing
Large hive-like spots (ecchymoses) or small spots (petechiae) with bruises or blood spots (usually purple) in the center. The rash may be anywhere on the body but often is more concentrated on the legs and lower abdomen. The rash is very itchy.
Abdominal pain or cramps, vomiting
Inflammation of the joints including the knees, ankles, hips, elbows or wrists
Blood in the stools, black tarry stools, or diarrhea
Low grade fever (<101°F).

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