Henoch-Schonlein Purpura – Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis

Laboratory Examinations

Doctors use different lab tests to help find Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP), especially if not all classic signs are there. These tests might include:

• Blood Tests: These check for inflammation, infection, and see if other conditions might be causing the symptoms.
• Urine Analysis: This checks for blood or extra protein, which may point to kidney issues like nephropathy or glomerulonephritis.

Elevated IgA levels in blood can support an HSP diagnosis, but they don’t confirm it by themselves. Results help rule out other possible diseases.

Tissue Sample Testing

Doctors sometimes take small samples of skin or kidney tissue for more details:

• Skin Sample: Doctors look for IgA immune complex deposits, which are common in HSP rashes.
• Kidney Sample: If patients have severe or long-lasting kidney problems, doctors may perform a kidney biopsy to see if glomerulonephritis or other damage is present. This helps guide long-term treatment for proteinuria or renal disease.

Imaging Procedures

Doctors use imaging when digestive symptoms are present. Abdominal ultrasound often checks for swelling or complications like intussusception or bowel obstruction and rules out other causes of stomach pain or bleeding.

Other scans, such as CT, help if the diagnosis is unclear or if complications are suspected.

Treatment

Medicine Choices

Doctors might suggest medicine to help manage pain and swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can ease discomfort.

Sometimes, corticosteroids reduce joint and stomach pain and shorten its duration. These steroids can have side effects, so patients should weigh the benefits and risks with a healthcare provider.

In more severe cases, especially when the kidneys are affected, doctors may consider using immunosuppressive agents or corticosteroids to control inflammation and prevent further damage.

Surgical Interventions

Doctors rarely recommend surgery, but they may perform it if part of the intestine becomes blocked, folds into itself (a condition called intussusception), or if the bowel ruptures.

Surgery fixes these problems and prevents serious complications. In severe kidney involvement, like crescentic glomerulonephritis, doctors may explore plasmapheresis and combined therapies.

Caring for Yourself

Most people feel better at home by taking simple steps. Rest is important, and drinking enough water supports recovery.

Using over-the-counter pain medicine can ease discomfort. Staying hydrated and getting enough sleep helps the body heal.

Getting Ready for Your Visit

Steps You Can Take Beforehand

Preparing for your visit can help make the appointment more productive.

Writing down details about the symptoms, such as when they began, if they started quickly or slowly, and whether any illness happened before the rash appeared, can be useful.

Keep a list of all medicines and supplements that you or your child use regularly.

Helpful questions to ask your healthcare provider may include:

• What could be causing these signs and symptoms?
• Which tests are needed to confirm the cause?
• Is this condition short-term or long-lasting?
• How can I monitor for possible kidney problems now or later?
• What are the treatment options?
• What side effects might the recommended treatments have?

Bringing a family member or friend to the appointment can provide support and help you remember important information.

Questions Your Healthcare Provider May Ask

During the visit, the healthcare provider will likely ask questions to better understand the situation.

They may ask:

Topic	Questions
Rash	What did it look like at first?
Discomfort	Was the rash itchy or painful?
Other Symptoms	Are there any stomach pains or joint aches?

Try to recall and note these details ahead of time to assist the healthcare team.