Can allergic purpura be cured?

Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Allergic purpura is a common vasculitic hypersensitivity response, which means that it is a vascular inflammatory response caused by allergies and is particularly prevalent among adolescents, with a higher occurrence in males. Most cases are associated with infections or allergies, with the most common infections being bacterial, viral, parasitic, and mycoplasmal. Seafood and high protein can lead to allergies, triggering allergic purpura. This condition cannot be cured and tends to recur, but as individuals age and their immune system strengthens, the frequency and likelihood of episodes significantly decrease. However, if kidney damage occurs, which means the development of allergic purpura nephritis, it is crucial to regularly monitor kidney function and urine routine to check for the presence of proteinuria. If necessary, cardiac puncture should be performed, and corticosteroids should be administered.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
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Symptoms of Allergic Purpura Nephritis

Kidney damage caused by allergic purpura is called allergic purpura nephritis. This disease is commonly seen in children. Once allergic purpura nephritis occurs, the typical clinical symptoms in patients include joint pain, recurrent rashes on both lower limbs, and abdominal pain. Of course, some patients may also experience gastrointestinal bleeding and the passing of black stools. The main clinical manifestations concerning the kidneys are hematuria and changes in urine color, which can be macroscopic or microscopic hematuria, increased urine foam, and proteinuria. Of course, some patients may also experience edema, especially noticeable swelling of the eyelids and facial area upon waking up in the morning, as well as increased blood pressure. In severe cases of allergic purpura nephritis, patients may also experience renal dysfunction and more.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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How to deal with abdominal pain from allergic purpura?

The most common clinical manifestations of allergic purpura are bleeding spots on the lower limbs, hematuria, melena, and joint pain. The presence of melena or bloody stools accompanied by abdominal pain often indicates bleeding from the intestinal mucosa. It is recommended to complete a mesenteric vascular color Doppler ultrasound as soon as possible to identify the bleeding sites. At this time, fasting is absolutely necessary, meaning no food or water should be consumed, as this can exacerbate abdominal pain and bleeding. Fasting should continue until the melena and pain are alleviated. If symptoms continue to worsen, surgery may be necessary to prevent intestinal perforation and the onset of acute peritonitis.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Mild symptoms of allergic purpura

Allergic purpura mainly includes three pathological types. The symptoms of the mild type mainly involve changes in the skin, primarily purpura-like rashes around the lower legs and ankle joints. If there are only skin lesions, it is considered a very mild case of allergic purpura. Additionally, more severe cases may involve kidney impairment, such as the presence of protein in the urine. Some patients primarily experience joint pain, also known as the arthritic type. Another group of patients presents mainly with sudden abdominal pain, primarily known as the abdominal type. Therefore, mild symptoms of allergic purpura might just be typical rashes. As long as there is no involvement of the visceral system, it is considered relatively mild.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Does allergic purpura spread to others?

Firstly, allergic purpura is neither a genetic nor a contagious disease, so there is no need to worry about it being inherited or transmitted to others. It is an allergic reaction caused by drugs, food, or infections, typically manifested by bleeding and bruising on the skin and mucous membranes of the limbs, joint pain, and hematuria. Diagnosis requires the combination of clinical manifestations and related tests such as urinalysis. If it is merely a case of the skin type, it only necessitates bed rest and observation of the number and extent of bleeding points on the skin and mucous membranes without special treatment. If there are symptoms like black stools or proteinuria, bed rest is imperative along with the use of anti-allergy medications or corticosteroids to enhance treatment, continuing until the proteinuria resolves.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Is allergic purpura serious?

Firstly, allergic purpura is caused by infections, drugs, or food allergies leading to skin ecchymosis and petechiae; in addition, it can also manifest as joint pain, hematuria, and melena. The presence of protein in a routine urine test along with hematuria or melena often indicates gastrointestinal allergic purpura and renal allergic purpura. The presence of proteinuria suggests kidney involvement, which is the most severe type among various forms of allergic purpura. If it is solely a cutaneous type, no special treatment is needed other than drinking more water and ensuring bed rest to alleviate skin ecchymosis. If proteinuria or hematuria occurs, one must rest in bed until the protein levels improve before resuming activities. Concurrently, corticosteroids and anti-allergy medications should be administered. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)