I never knew this illness existed until this week. Also called Henoch-Schoenlein Purpura, this illness is both mysterious and part of our household. My six year old daughter developed little spots on her feet and ankles. To a seasoned Minnesotan, these spots looked like gnat bits. She said they were really itchy, so we gave her some medicine to treat the itchiness. Since our bugs are finally gone here in Minnesota, we were fairly certain the spots weren’t bug bites.
Then they started to spread and cover both her feet, along with dark purple spots that looked like bruising. My daughter, who never complains and has a high threshold for pain, started saying that it hurt to walk. My mommy radar went up, and I called the ER. Since it was Saturday night, and they were fairly certain they wouldn’t be able to find us the answers we needed (and she had NO fever), they told us to watch her and wait until Monday to see the pediatrician. We decided to do that.
Yesterday, they ran a bunch of tests and chest xrays. It was determined to be Anaphylactoid Purpura which can involve many different organs in the body. The most critical is the kidneys, but luckily her tests showed no blood in her kidneys yet.
The cause of the illness doesn’t seem to be understood, but apparently upper respiratory issues such as colds, infections, and even asthma can cause inflammation in the blood vessels which causes the rashes, bruises, and swelling. Antibodies in her body that are normal and healthy may have contributed to developing this illness. Other symptoms can be abdominal pain, which she did complain of periodically. We’ll watch closely for any future fevers or blood in her urine.
There doesn’t appear to be any medicine to treat this illness, except ibuprophen to reduce the pain and swelling. She is starting to feel better, and we’ll keep a close eye on her. She is not allowed to go into grandma and grandpa’s new hot tub over the holidays, which will be the worse part of all of this. The hot water can cause issues with her blood vessels, immune system, etc. I think we’ll pass….
Please don’t use this personal story blog post to diagnose or treat yourself or anyone else. Seek medical advise for any medical concerns. I would love to hear from others who have had this illness in a child.
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I just learned today that my 5 yr old has been diagnosed with this condition today. How long did it last w/ your daughter? I was told it might last 2 more weeks, but read online that it could last up to a month. I’ve never heard of this illness before now and appreciate any insight.
Many Thanks!
My daughter was diagnosed the end of November, and we were told it could last up to 6 months. She is going to be checked every 4 weeks for 6 months. She also has chronic asthma which tends to lead to sinus/bronchitis type issues that have apparently been linked to this anaphylactoid purpura condition. The bruising and rashes have gone away, along with the itching. But it can come back without any warning. We are watching her very closely. You have my prayers for a speedy recovery and no ongoing issues. Apparently 80% recover and never deal with it again.
My five year old daughter has been fighting HSP since Feburary 1, 2010. It seems like the swelling has stopped. Her knee at one time was the size of a baseball. Ankles, hands, elbows, eyelids have all swelled as well. Her rash has been everywhere with little ‘poc’ marks on her face and ears. Tonight I noticed bumps, unlike her rash, on her fingers. We have only done urine test to make sure her kidneys are ok. Would you recommend any other tests? Are your children healed up? She is very happy and mobile–should I still just ride it out. T appreciate your opinions! Has the skin discoloration gone away in your child? Thanks Norma
My daughter has cleared up. We’ve brought her in for checks though every month. She’s due for her last one, however, I know I’ll recognize it if I ever see it again. From what I understand, the kidneys are the most serious, but it can happen in the stomach and intestines too. We were instructed to watch for complaints of stomach aches etc. I hope your little one feels better soon and that this all passes. I’m hopeful it won’t come back, but I’ll be watching! I wish I knew more to help you…this was all new for us too.
My son was diagnosed with Anaphylactoid Purpura when he was 2 years old (year 2000) he is now 13. He started off with just not feeling well and a slight fever. The next morning I went to work to open up the Day Care that I worked at, but knowing that I was going to leave to take my son to his doctors office as soon as the first staff person came in. I left around 530 am that morning and was home by 700 am. From the time that I left the house and came back he had a rash all over his body and had a 103 temp. Well mommy radar went off and I rushed him to the ER. They got my so right into a room and all doctors and nurses were wearing mask and tell us that we also should put one on. At this point they were not telling me what was going on. Even tho we asked and they said it was just for there safety. At this point my Husband and myself was a mess.
The doctors told us that they were pretty sure that my 2 year old son has spinal meningitis and that they would have to do a spinal tap on him to make sure. Talking about my heart braking into a billion little piece. Well after doing it. The fluid came out clear, so that he did not have that.
They admitted him to the hospital because they did not know what was wrong with him.
My son was in so much pain. And no one knew why. After 2 days they told us it was Anaphylactoid Purura. And there is no treatment for it. He had so much pain in his joints and body. We spent 4 or 5 days there. After we went him he started to get better and then about 3 weeks later it came back. But not as bad.
Still to this day he has a huge mark on his leg where his blood vessels popped. A mark that will always remind us of that horrible sad day.
Wow, that is quite the story! I can imagine how scare you would have been. It was scary for us too, but not quite to that level! Glad he’s doing well after all these years. My daughter’s hasn’t come back yet, fingers crossed.