The opening paragraph asks you a question, what do you understand allergies?
Itchy eyes, itchy nose, sneezing? Or is the skin red, itchy, and rash?
But in fact, allergies can also cause bleeding, this disease is - henoch-schönlein purpura.
The so-called purpura, that is, subcutaneous hemorrhage, allergic purpura, is due to the body's contact with allergic substances, allergic reactions, resulting in subcutaneous vasodilation, congestion and edema, red blood cells oozing out of the blood vessels, the appearance of skin purpura.
Moreover, this allergic reaction can manifest itself not only in the skin, but also in the joints and other tissues and organs.
Depending on the symptoms, Henoch-Schönlein purpura can be divided into 5 categories
/ Cutaneous Henoch-Schönlein purpura /
When the allergy is mild, it is of the skin type and manifests as skin purpura.
There may be some small rashes and blisters on the surface of the skin, similar to urticaria, the rash often protrudes from the surface of the skin, rough touch, can appear on the trunk, can also appear on the limbs, especially the inner thighs are more common.
Cutaneous Henoch-Schönlein purpura is generally less harmful and often affects only aesthetics.
/ Articular Henoch-Schönlein purpura /
When the allergy is more serious, vasodilation and bleeding occur in the joint cavity, it may cause edema and pain in the joint cavity, resulting in lameness, unable to walk, and even lead to chronic arthritis.
This type is called the articular type, and is usually mixed with the skin type, and is rarely present alone.
/ Abdominal Henoch-Schönlein purpura /
When bleeding occurs in the abdomen, acute abdominal pain occurs in mild cases, and diarrhea, blood in the stool, and may even cause intestinal perforation and intestinal obstruction.
This type is called abdominal type and is often confused with acute abdomen such as acute appendicitis and acute cholecystitis.
/ Renal Henoch-Schönlein purpura /
Renal henoch-schönlein purpura accounts for about 40% of all henoch-schönlein purpura.
When the renal blood vessels are dilated and congested and edematous, hematuria and proteinuria may appear, and over a long period of time, about 20% of patients may develop chronic nephritis.
That said, about 8% of people with Henoch-Schönlein purpura will develop chronic nephritis.
/ Mixed Henoch-Schönlein purpura /
When the skin type of Henoch-Schönlein purpura is combined with two or more other types, it is called a mixed type.
In addition, a small number of people will have eye, brain, and meningeal vascular hemorrhage, resulting in optic nerve atrophy, iritis, retinal hemorrhagic edema, or some central nervous system related symptoms.
It should also be noted that allergic reactions do not necessarily occur immediately after exposure to the allergen, but may also occur at intervals (such as 2 weeks or more).
Henoch-schönlein purpura tends to occur in both groups
People of all ages may develop Henoch-Schönlein purpura, but it is more common in children and young people.
Children under the age of ten, the development of immune function is not very sound, is more prone to allergic reactions, resulting in body damage.
Young adults in their twenties and thirties may be more active due to their physical development stage, and may also cause hyperimmunity for some reason, and they are prone to allergic reactions.
On the contrary, the elderly are less prone to allergic reactions due to decreased autoimmune function.
Treatment of Henoch-Schönlein purpura, staying away from allergens is the focus
The first thing for people with Henoch-Schönlein purpura is to stay away from allergens.
About 1/3 to 1/2 of patients are aware of their allergens, and when daily attention is taken away from allergens, henoch-schönlein may no longer occur.
More people may not know exactly what their allergens are, so Henoch-Schönlein purpura often recurs. At this time, you should pay attention to carefully observe what you touch, eat, and drink, or go to the hospital for allergen screening.
Daily can also try to avoid contact with dust mites, pollen, avoid ingestion of common allergens such as seafood, eggs, milk, etc., often change bed sheets, dry quilts, prevent mosquito bites, etc.
If the allergen is clarified and economic conditions allow, desensitization treatment can also be carried out to help alleviate allergy symptoms and even establish tolerance.
At present, if it is impossible to get rid of the allergen, henoch-schönlein purpura is difficult to cure completely, often recurrent attacks, and the treatment is mainly anti-allergic treatment.
If the symptoms are mild, only some mild rashes, joint pain, hematuria are present, and no serious kidney damage is caused, some anti-allergic drugs such as loratadine and cetirizine can be taken orally.
If symptoms are severe, the rash is pervasive throughout the body, joint pain is unbearable, accompanied by diarrhea, and severe proteinuria, it may be necessary to use hormones such as prednisone, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone.
A very small number of people, who cannot be controlled by hormone therapy alone, may also need to incorporate some immunosuppressants.
Of course, these treatments need to be carried out under the guidance of a doctor, so it is recommended that once symptoms appear, seek medical treatment in time, do not delay patience, and do not use drugs indiscriminately.
References: Medical Microvision official website - Chen Wenming, Chief Physician of "Henoch-Schönlein Purpura"