Treatment
No specific treatment has been developed for HSP. Most children and adults afflicted by the disease will see the symptoms resolve over time without any complications, especially if medication is taken and wound care is applied to the skin to protect it from complications. Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are usually prescribed by doctors to help ease any joint pain, except for cases with kidney involvement.
Some studies have found that steroid use can lead to a rapid improvement in the bowel for children and can even help with clearing up the rash.
The important thing to know is that if there is any kidney involvement or severe bowel issues, then treatment with immunosuppressants and steroids will be necessary to reduce the overall inflammation. To protect the kidneys should treatment last a while, blood pressure lowering medication could be prescribed.
The main drugs prescribed for Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) are:
• MMF (mycophenolate mofetil)
• Steroids
• Azathioprine
• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB)
• Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (AVE inhibitor)
• Dapsone
