Anaphylactoid purpura also called henoch-schoenlein purpura is a condition that mainly affects children, and occurs when inflamed blood vessels leak causing blood to accumulate under the skin and creating a purple rash that resembles a bruise, according to MayoClinic.com. The rash typically appears on the lower legs and buttocks, but it can appear on other parts of the body. The exact cause of the condition is unknown, but it may be triggered by an abnormal reaction from the immune system. While complications are rare, some people may experience obstructed bowels and/or kidney problems.
Bowel Obstruction
In rare cases, people with anaphylactoid purpura may experience a bowel obstruction called intussusception, according to MayoClinic.com. Intussusception is a serious disorder that mainly affects children and occurs when the small intestine or colon slides into another part of the intestine, blocking the intestine, inflaming blood vessels, cutting off the blood supply to that area and preventing food or fluid from successfully passing through it, according to MayoClinic.com. When blood flow to the intestines is decreased, it causes other organs such as the pancreas to become inflamed. Symptoms of bowel obstruction include severe abdominal pain that comes and goes, stools that are mixed with mucus, fever, a lump in the abdomen and lethargy. Treatment typically consists of emergency surgery to free the part of the intestine that is trapped, clear the obstruction and remove any tissue that has died.
Gastrointestinal Problems
People with anaphylactoid purpura may experience severe abdominal pain, frequent vomiting, diarrhea, black or bright red stools and bleeding within the gastrointestinal tract, according to the Vasculitis Foundation. The symptoms typically develop within eight days of the appearance of the purple rash or bruise. Swollen, irritated and leaky blood vessels can cause bloody stools and gastrointestinal problems. Treatment generally consists of antibiotics, corticosteroids such as prednisone, anti-inflammatory medications, and/or painkillers.
Glomerulonephritis and Kidney Failure
A serious complication associated with anaphylactoid purpura is glomerulonephritis or kidney failure. Glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease that damages the kidneys' ability to excrete waste and fluid from the body, according to MayoClinic.com. People with anaphylactoid purpura may experience blood in the urine, swelling and high blood pressure when the blood vessels in the kidneys inflame and bleed, causing the kidneys to malfunction. Approximately five percent of older children or adults develop progressive kidney disease and/or kidney failure as a result of anaphylactoid purpura, according to the website, BBC Health. In severe cases, glomerulonephritis can lead to kidney failure, in which dangerous levels of fluid and waste accumulate within the body, causing a high blood pressure, retention of fluid, decline in red blood cells and eventually causing a permanent loss of kidney function, according to MedlinePlus. Treatment for glomerulonephritis or kidney failure consists of dialysis or in severe cases, a kidney transplant.
