Hello everyone, I have recently heard many parents say that their children have a rash on their body and went to the hospital to be diagnosed with "Henoch-Schonlein purpura", but some parents thought it was just ordinary dermatitis at first. As a result, the blind use of drugs made the condition worse. Today we will talk about why Henoch-Schonlein purpura is not dermatitis and what parents should pay attention to when diagnosing and treating.
What is Henoch-Schonlein purpura?
Henoch-Schonlein purpura is an inflammation of blood vessels caused by abnormalities in the immune system. To put it simply, the body's immune system "misunderstands the enemy" and attacks its own blood vessels, causing the capillaries to rupture, forming purplish-red bleeding spots. The disease not only affects the skin, but can also involve the joints, kidneys, and digestive system. The rash is only an outward manifestation, and the deeper is inflammation of the blood vessels.
Why can't it be used as a dermatitis treatment?
Dermatitis is usually inflammation of the surface of the skin, such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, etc., which is mainly the reaction of the skin to external stimuli, which can usually be relieved with anti-allergy ointments or anti-inflammatory drugs. But the fundamental problem with Henoch-Schonlein purpura lies in the blood vessels, not the skin itself. If you mistake it for dermatitis, applying ointment can not only be ineffective, but it can also mask the condition, worsen inflammation, and even lead to more serious complications, such as kidney damage.
So how do you tell the difference?
Parents should pay attention to their children's symptoms, the rash of Henoch-Schonlein purpura is very different from ordinary dermatitis. The rash of purpura is usually small red or purplish-red dots that do not fade with pressure and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as joint pain and abdominal pain. If your child has these symptoms in addition to the rash, it is best to take them to the hospital for examination rather than treating them yourself.
What are the most common mistakes parents make?
When many parents see that their children have skin problems, their first reaction is to buy some ointment to apply, and feel that there is no need to make a fuss about small problems. As a result, when the condition worsened, I realized that the problem was serious and that the best time for treatment had been missed. There are also some parents who think that the rash is better when they see it subside, and do not adhere to the treatment, and as a result, the disease recurs. Therefore, parents must be vigilant and not take it lightly.
So how to treat Henoch-Schonlein purpura?
The key to the treatment of Henoch-Schonlein purpura is to control the immune response and prevent inflammation from further damaging blood vessels. Doctors usually prescribe medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, hormones, etc., depending on the child's specific situation. Parents must follow the doctor's instructions for treatment, and cannot stop or change the medicine on their own. In addition, the child's diet should also be light, avoid eating foods that are easy to cause allergies, such as seafood, eggs, etc., and be more careful in daily care.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura is not just a skin problem, but can also affect the internal organs, especially the kidneys. If the child's urine is abnormal, such as hematuria or increased protein in the urine, parents must pay attention to it and recheck it in time to ensure that the condition does not deteriorate.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura is not dermatitis, and parents can't simply apply some ointment to finish the matter. If you find a problem, you should take your child to the hospital in time and treat and care according to the doctor's advice. Only in this way can we avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment, help children recover as soon as possible, and stay away from the trouble of Henoch-Schonlein purpura!