Is allergic purpura nephritis contagious?

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on September 27, 2024
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Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis and allergic purpura are not infectious diseases; there is no contagious element involved. Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis is actually kidney damage caused by allergic purpura, which is an allergic disease itself. Patients suffer from an abnormal immune response in the body’s immune system after coming into contact with allergenic drugs or foods, leading to necrotizing vasculitis. This disease is unrelated to pathogens. Generally, there is no direct damage to the kidneys caused by a specific pathogen in this disease, nor do patients carry pathogens that can cause Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis, such as bacteria or viruses, thus making the disease non-contagious.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
1min 19sec home-news-image

Can allergic purpura be inherited?

Allergic purpura is mostly caused by exposure to infections, medications, or foods, leading to skin and mucous membrane ecchymoses, which are essentially petechiae and a manifestation of vasculitis. It falls under autoimmune diseases, not genetic diseases, and thus is not contagious. Bacterial, viral, mycoplasmal, or parasitic infections are the most common causes. Secondarily, medications and foods can also trigger allergic purpura, such as high-protein foods like seafood and milk. Therefore, if there are symptoms like ecchymoses on the lower extremities accompanied by joint pain, or signs of blood in the stool or black stool, it is necessary to complete routine blood tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and autoimmune antibody tests to rule out other autoimmune diseases. During the acute phase, it is advisable to rest in bed, eat a light diet, avoid infection, and use corticosteroids for anti-allergy treatment if necessary.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
1min 6sec home-news-image

How to treat allergic purpura nephritis?

Kidney damage caused by allergic purpura is called allergic purpura nephritis. The main clinical manifestations include joint pain, rash, black stools, abdominal pain, as well as hematuria, increased urinary protein, elevated blood pressure, and even edema and renal insufficiency. During the acute phase of allergic purpura nephritis, patients should rest in bed, and if there is edema, intake of water and salt should be strictly restricted. It is also important to actively identify the allergens to conduct etiological treatment. Intake of certain suspected foods or medications should be prohibited. If the patient has obvious rashes and joint pain, antiallergic medications can be used for treatment. If the effect is not satisfactory, hormones and immunosuppressive agents can be introduced. Depending on the patient's condition, Traditional Chinese Medicine can also be used to invigorate blood circulation and remove blood stasis. If the condition is severe, combined treatment can be considered for better results.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Can people with allergic purpura take baths?

Patients with allergic purpura can take baths, but the water temperature should not be too hot. This is because excessive heat or vigorous exercise can potentially trigger a recurrence of allergic purpura. Additionally, patients should avoid getting cold to reduce the risk of infection, as infections can also provoke episodes of allergic purpura. During an episode of allergic purpura, it is necessary to take some anti-allergy medications and medications that reduce rashes, such as desloratadine dispersible tablets and compound glycyrrhizin tablets. If there is significant involvement of vital organs, such as the kidneys or gastrointestinal tract, some patients may also need to use corticosteroids. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
1min 6sec home-news-image

Are there many children with allergic purpura?

Firstly, allergic purpura is commonly found in adolescents and children, with children being the most commonly affected, particularly between the ages of 8 to 15. It typically occurs during the spring and autumn seasons. The most common clinical manifestations are bleeding spots on the lower limbs, hematuria, black stools, and joint pain, which are the most typical clinical presentations. If there are only bleeding spots on the skin, no special treatment is required at this time; rest in bed is necessary, and these bruises can be absorbed. Once the kidneys are involved, it indicates a relatively severe condition, and at this time, active and standard treatment is necessary, including the need to improve routine urine and kidney function indicators. If protein quantification is relatively high, then glucocorticoids are needed, combined with anti-allergic medication. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
1min 9sec home-news-image

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.