Henoch-Schonlein purpura Difinition, sign and symptoms, cause, treatment.....

I. Defintion
Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HEN-awk SHURN-line PUR-pu-ruh) is a disorder that causes inflammation and bleeding in the small blood vessels in your skin, joints, intestines and kidneys.

II. Sign and Symptoms

The four main characteristics of Henoch-Schonlein purpura 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 pain and swelling around the joints — mainly in the knees and ankles. Joint pain sometimes precedes the classical rash by one or two weeks. 
• Gastrointestinal symptoms. Many children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura develop gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or bloody stools. 
• Kidney involvement. Henoch-Schonlein purpura can also affect the kidneys. In most cases, this shows up as protein or blood in the urine, which you may not even know is there unless you have a urine test done.

III. Causes

In Henoch-Schonlein purpura, some of the body's small blood vessels become inflamed, which can cause bleeding in the skin, abdomen and kidneys. Why this initial inflammation develops isn't clear. It may be the result of the immune system responding inappropriately to certain triggers.

IV. Risk Factors

Factors that may increase the risk of developing Henoch-Schonlein purpura include:

• Age. The disease affects primarily children and young adults, with the majority of cases occurring in children between 2 and 6 years of age.
• Sex. Henoch-Schonlein purpura is slightly more common in boys than girls.
• Race. White and Asian children are more likely to develop Henoch-Schonlein purpura than are black children.
• Time of year. Henoch-Schonlein purpura strikes mainly in autumn, winter and spring but rarely in summer.

V. Treatment

Henoch-Schonlein purpura usually goes away on its own within a month with no lasting ill effects. Bed rest, plenty of fluids and over-the-counter pain relievers may help.

The use of corticosteroids, such as prednisone, in treating or preventing complications of Henoch-Schonlein purpura is controversial. They're most often used to treat severe gastrointestinal symptoms.