Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) is a condition where small blood vessels in the body (particularly in the skin, intestines, and kidneys) become sore and swollen and cause a rash. HSP is common in children aged 2 to 8 years. HSP may be started by a virus like a cold or flu. It cannot be passed on to other people.
Signs and symptoms
- Raised rash with reddish-purple spots on the backside, legs and elbow
- Swollen hands and feet
- Pain in the joints (usually in the knees or ankles)
- Pain in the tummy
- Blood in your child’s poo or wee
How is it diagnosed?
There is no test for HSP. Your doctor can usually diagnose HSP by looking at the rash on your child’s skin and asking about other symptoms.
Your doctor will take your child’s blood pressure and get a urine (wee) sample to test for protein and blood in the wee. They may also do a blood test to check the kidneys.
Treatment
- Mild pain – Give pain medicine to your child, make sure your child rests, keep your child’s legs lifted.
- Moderate pain – Your child may need steroid therapy (talk to your GP about this treatment option)
- Severe pain – Your child may need further tests and may need to go to hospital
Most children will recover from HSP within 4 weeks, and joint pain should go away after the first 3 days. It is common for symptoms to come back within the first few months for some children. However, the symptoms won’t be as bad.
Care at home
- Make sure your child drinks enough fluids including water.
- Give paracetamol (Panadol or Dymadon) and ibuprofen (Nurofen) to help relieve pain. Follow the instructions on the bottle or package for the correct dosage. Do not give your child more than what is recommended for the day.
Follow-up appointments
Your child will need regular check-ups with a GP for 6 -12 months after being diagnosed, including urine (wee) tests and blood pressure checks. This is to make sure your child does not develop kidney problems. Please make an appointment with your GP to start these checks as soon as possible – use the appointment schedule below.
If your child has kidney problems after 3 months, your GP will refer them to a specialist.
| Appointment schedule | Completed |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | |
| Week 2 | |
| Week 3 | |
| Week 4 | |
| Week 6 | |
| Week 8 | |
| Week 10 | |
| Week 12 (your child will be referred to a specialist if kidney problems are detected) | |
| 6 months | |
| 9 months | |
| 12 months (and then yearly) |
When to seek help
See your GP if your child has any common symptoms, or if they have:
- joint pain or swelling
- tummy pain
- blood in their poo or wee.
In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
If you're not sure whether to go to an emergency department, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) and speak to a registered nurse.
Developed by Emergency Department, Queensland Children’s Hospital. We acknowledge the input of consumers and carers.
Resource ID: FS135. Reviewed: July 2022.
Disclaimer: This information has been produced by healthcare professionals as a guideline only and is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your child’s doctor or healthcare professionals. Information is updated regularly, so please check you are referring to the most recent version. Seek medical advice, as appropriate, for concerns regarding your child’s health.