Does allergic purpura cause itchy skin?

Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
Updated on January 07, 2025
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The skin of patients with allergic purpura generally does not show symptoms of itching, although it is called allergic purpura. However, the main clinical manifestations are inflammation of the capillaries at the extremities of the lower limbs, accompanied by a characteristic rash, without noticeable symptoms of skin itching. If a patient with allergic purpura also has symptoms of skin itching, it may be necessary to consider whether there is a concurrent allergic dermatitis or similar condition. Besides the typical purpuric rash on both lower limbs, some patients with allergic purpura may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and these symptoms are referred to as the gastrointestinal type of allergic purpura. Some patients may experience joint pain, which belongs to the joint type of allergic purpura, and others may present with proteinuria, which belongs to the renal type of allergic purpura.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Is allergic purpura prone to recurrence?

First and foremost, allergic purpura refers to a hemorrhagic disease that affects the capillaries in the skin or other organs; it is categorized as a rheumatic immune disease. It primarily occurs in adolescents and children aged between five to fourteen years, and cannot be cured. The disease is prone to recurring, which is its main clinical characteristic. The primary causes are infections, drugs, or food allergies, with infections being the most significant factor. Therefore, upon the appearance of skin purpura or bleeding spots, joint swelling, or signs such as hematuria and proteinuria, timely and comprehensive examinations should be conducted for diagnosis. Once the kidneys are involved, it is essential to rest in bed until the proteinuria alleviates. Moreover, it is crucial to conduct a 24-hour urinary protein quantification to assess the extent of kidney damage. If there is a significant amount of proteinuria, it is advisable to promptly perform a renal biopsy to clarify the type of pathology.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Is allergic purpura dangerous?

Firstly, allergic purpura is a type of hypersensitivity reaction and also a specific type of vasculitis. The main triggering factors include infections, medications, and food allergies, among others. It is not curable and tends to recur. Allergic purpura can be categorized into skin type, joint type, abdominal type, renal type, and mixed type. The presence of black stool, hematuria, vomiting, or proteinuria often indicates abdominal or renal types, which are the most severe forms of allergic purpura. In cases of black stool and severe vomiting, it is crucial to eat timely, replenish fluids, and maintain electrolyte balance. Additionally, it is important to complete a mesenteric vascular ultrasound to check for mesenteric vascular embolism. Moreover, if hematuria and proteinuria occur, it is necessary to rest in bed and, if needed, perform a kidney biopsy to assess the extent of kidney damage. Allergic purpura can be life-threatening because if not treated promptly, it may lead to purpuric nephritis, which can cause symptoms like proteinuria, hematuria, and even hypertension and bodily edema. In severe cases, it may lead to renal failure and induce uremia, greatly harming health. Furthermore, children with allergic purpura may also develop serious complications such as intussusception, which can be life-threatening. If this condition is identified, surgical treatment should be administered promptly.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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What medicine is taken for allergic purpura?

The medication for allergic purpura should be determined based on the severity of the patient's condition. If the patient only shows symptoms like rashes, the focus should be on reducing the rashes, and medications such as compound glycyrrhizin and desloratadine can be used for their anti-allergic effects. If the main clinical manifestation of allergic purpura is joint pain, some non-steroidal pain relief medications can be added for pain relief. However, if the patient primarily exhibits involvement of internal organs, such as gastrointestinal involvement in allergic purpura starting with abdominal pain, or kidney damage marked by significant proteinuria, then corticosteroids and immunosuppressants should be considered for treatment. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor).

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Written by Li Jing
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Allergic purpura belongs to which department?

Allergic purpura is a common vasculitis related to hypersensitivity, essentially a type of vasculitis that belongs to hematological diseases. It is mostly caused by infections or allergies to food and drugs, predominantly occurring in adolescents. It is more common in males, but a minority of adults may also develop allergic purpura. The main types include abdominal, renal, articular, mixed, and cutaneous forms. However, when allergic purpura nephritis occurs, presenting with proteinuria or decreased kidney function, it is necessary to visit a nephrology department. Treatment should aim to control proteinuria, protect kidney function, and reduce damage to kidney functions. Therefore, it is essential to visit a nephrologist at this time. Allergic purpura must be differentiated in treatment; if it is merely a cutaneous or abdominal type, a hematologist can manage it. However, if the kidneys are involved, it requires consultation in a nephrology specialty. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Can people with allergic purpura eat durian?

Patients with allergic purpura should not eat durian, as durian is considered a food that can trigger allergies, which in turn can provoke the onset of allergic purpura. Besides avoiding such trigger foods in their diet, patients with allergic purpura should also avoid getting cold, as catching cold can lead to infections, which may also trigger an episode of allergic purpura. Furthermore, intense physical activity, like fast running, should be avoided as well, because such activities can also lead to outbreaks of allergic diseases. Allergic purpura is also a self-limiting disease, and can improve on its own after reaching adulthood.