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Purpura
     
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Purpura

Blood spots; Skin hemorrhages

 

Purpura is purple-colored spots and patches that occur on the skin, and in mucus membranes, including the lining of the mouth.

Considerations

 

Purpura occurs when small blood vessels leak blood under the skin.

Purpura measure between 4 and 10 mm (millimeters) in diameter. When purpura spots are less than 4 mm in diameter, they are called petechiae. Purpura spots larger than 1 cm (centimeter) are called ecchymoses.

Platelets help the blood clot. A person with purpura may have a normal platelet count (non-thrombocytopenic purpuras) or a low platelet counts (thrombocytopenic purpuras).

 

Causes

 

Non-thrombocytopenic purpuras may be due to:

  • Amyloidosis (disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs)
  • Blood clotting disorders
  • Congenital cytomegalovirus (condition in which an infant is infected with a virus called cytomegalovirus before birth)
  • Congenital rubella syndrome
  • Drugs that affect platelet function or clotting factors
  • Fragile blood vessels seen in older people (senile purpura)
  • Hemangioma (abnormal buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs)
  • Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis), such as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, which causes a raised type of purpura
  • Pressure changes that occur during vaginal childbirth
  • Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency)
  • Steroid use
  • Certain infections
  • Injury

Thrombocytopenic purpura may be due to:

  • Drugs that reduce the platelet count
  • Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) -- a bleeding disorder
  • Immune neonatal thrombocytopenia (can occur in infants whose mothers have ITP)
  • Meningococcemia (bloodstream infection)

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your health care provider for an appointment if you have signs of purpura.

 

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

 

The provider will examine your skin and ask about your medical history and symptoms, including:

  • Is this the first time you have had such spots?
  • When did they develop?
  • What color are they?
  • Do they look like bruises?
  • What medicines do you take?
  • What other medical problems have you had?
  • Does anyone in your family have similar spots?
  • What other symptoms do you have?

A skin biopsy may be done. Blood and urine tests may be ordered to determine the cause of the purpura.

 

 

Open References

References

Dinulos JGH. Principles of diagnosis and anatomy. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 1.

Kitchens CS. Purpura and other hematovascular disorders. In: Kitchens CS, Kessler CM, Konkle BA, Streiff MB, Garcia DA, eds. Consultative Hemostasis and Thrombosis. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 10.

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  • Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the lower legs

    Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the lower legs

    illustration

  • Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's foot

    Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's foot

    illustration

  • Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs

    Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs

    illustration

  • Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs

    Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs

    illustration

  • Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the legs

    Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the legs

    illustration

  • Meningococcemia on the calves

    Meningococcemia on the calves

    illustration

  • Meningococcemia on the leg

    Meningococcemia on the leg

    illustration

  • Rocky mountain spotted fever on the foot

    Rocky mountain spotted fever on the foot

    illustration

  • Meningococcemia associated purpura

    Meningococcemia associated purpura

    illustration

    • Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the lower legs

      Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the lower legs

      illustration

    • Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's foot

      Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's foot

      illustration

    • Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs

      Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs

      illustration

    • Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs

      Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs

      illustration

    • Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the legs

      Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the legs

      illustration

    • Meningococcemia on the calves

      Meningococcemia on the calves

      illustration

    • Meningococcemia on the leg

      Meningococcemia on the leg

      illustration

    • Rocky mountain spotted fever on the foot

      Rocky mountain spotted fever on the foot

      illustration

    • Meningococcemia associated purpura

      Meningococcemia associated purpura

      illustration

    Tests for Purpura

     
       

      Review Date: 6/7/2023

      Reviewed By: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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