What causes allergic purpura?

Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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Allergic purpura commonly occurs in adolescents and children, characterized by frequent relapses and being intractable. It is primarily seen in youth aged between 5 to 14 years. As they age and their immunity strengthens, the frequency of episodes gradually decreases. The most common causes of allergic purpura include infections such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, mycoplasma infections, and allergies to medications and foods, with food allergies mainly stemming from high-protein foods like fish and shrimp, which can easily trigger allergic reactions. Therefore, once skin purpura or proteinuria appears, it is crucial to rest in bed until the pain and proteinuria dissipate and the purpura eases. During treatment, it is also important to avoid cold exposure and overexertion.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Can allergic purpura be cured?

Allergic purpura mainly occurs in adolescents and children, often in the spring and autumn seasons, and is typically related to bacterial infections, viral infections, and allergies to medications and foods. The most common clinical symptoms include bruises on both lower limbs, bleeding, black stools, joint pain, and abdominal pain. Upon the appearance of bruises on the lower limbs, it is recommended to complete routine blood tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and autoantibody tests to rule out other autoimmune diseases causing skin bruises. During the acute phase, it is necessary to rest in bed, drink plenty of water, and eat a light diet. If there are only simple skin bruises, these may resolve after rest. However, if joint pain, bloody stools, and black stools occur, formal and active treatment is required, as these symptoms will not resolve on their own. Additionally, the presence of blood or protein in urine suggests kidney involvement, indicating that the condition has worsened.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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What should I do if I have allergic purpura and my legs hurt?

Patients with allergic purpura who experience leg pain indicate the development of the arthritic type of allergic purpura. Firstly, strict bed rest should be enforced in daily life to reduce the burden on the joints. Secondly, active treatment of the primary cause of allergic purpura should be pursued, which can include taking medications like desloratadine dispersible tablets to reduce the rash. Subsequently, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, such as diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, can be taken to alleviate leg pain. If the symptoms do not significantly improve with these measures, the use of a small dose of corticosteroids may be considered if necessary. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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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.

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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 Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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Is allergic purpura contagious?

Allergic purpura is not a contagious disease; it is an autoimmune disorder, and therefore it is not transmissible. This condition is a self-limiting disease commonly found in adolescents and children. It mainly comes in four types: simple, renal, abdominal, and articular. Common symptoms include purpura on the limbs and body, and it may also involve abdominal pain, joint pain, and hematuria among other organ impairments. During the acute phase, bed rest is required. Sometimes, when the kidneys are affected, corticosteroids are necessary for timely treatment. If there is joint swelling and pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to alleviate pain, and antispasmodic analgesics can be used for abdominal pain.