What You Need to Know About Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP)

What is vasculitis?
Vasculitis is a general term that refers to the inflammation of arteries, or blood vessels.

What is HSP?
Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP or anaphylactoid purpura) is a form of blood vessel inflammation or vasculitis. Each of the forms of vasculitis tends to involve certain characteristic blood vessels. HSP affects the small arterial vessels in the skin, gastrointestinal tract and frequently the kidneys. HSP results in skin rash, most prominent over the buttocks and behind the lower extremities associated with joint inflammation (arthritis