Conditions & Treatments

Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) - Symptoms

Skin rash is the leading symptom that begins with raised and red spots/patches/bumps, which in time change to a purple bruise. Classically, these spots occur over the legs/buttocks although they can appear anywhere.
Other symptoms may occasionally precede the appearance of skin rash by a few days. They may appear simultaneously or gradually in a different order.

Arthritis: Painful and swollen joints with limitation of movement. The joint symptoms are temporary and disappear within a few days to weeks.
Soft tissue swelling most often occurs in the hands, feet, face and scrotum
Abdominal pain: It is typically intermittent, and around the belly button. If there is mild to severe bloody diarrhoea, we would be concerned for an abnormal telescoping of the bowel (intussusception). This is an emergency and may need surgery.

Kidney involvement: In some patients, there may be kidney involvement. In rare cases, kidney disease may last for months or years and may progress to kidney failure. In such cases, consultation with a kidney specialist (nephrologist) is needed.