What does it mean when your leg looks purple?

What does it mean when your leg looks purple?

Cyanosis occurs when there's too little oxygen in the blood. Oxygen-rich blood is deep red and causes your skin's normal color. Under-oxygenated blood is bluer and causes your skin to look bluish purple. Cyanosis can develop quickly due to an acute health problem or external factor.

What causes discoloration of your lower legs?

Venous stasis dermatitis, commonly referred to as leg discoloration, occurs due to problems with your veins located in your feet or lower legs. Leg discoloration can occur in individuals with circulation issues.

When should I worry about purpura?

Patients who experience purpura with any of the following symptoms should seek medical treatment: low platelet count, which may lead to increased bleeding after an injury, bleeding gums or nose, or blood in urine or bowel movements. sore, swollen joints, particularly in the ankles and knees.20 Jan 2022

Is purpura an emergency?

Purpura fulminans is a rare, life-threatening disease state, classically defined as a cutaneous marker of disseminated intravascular coagulation, which can be present in both infective and non-infective disease states [1].Purpura fulminansPurpura fulminansSpecialty. Hematology. Purpura fulminans is an acute, often fatal, thrombotic disorder which manifests as blood spots, bruising and discolouration of the skin resulting from coagulation in small blood vessels within the skin and rapidly leads to skin necrosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation.https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Purpura_fulminansPurpura fulminans - Wikipedia is a rare, life-threatening disease state, classically defined as a cutaneous marker of disseminated intravascular coagulation, which can be present in both infective and non-infective disease states [1].23 Jun 2019

What infection causes purpura?

Nearly half the people who have Henoch-Schonlein purpura developed it after an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold. Other triggers include chickenpox, strep throat, measles, hepatitis, certain medications, food, insect bites and exposure to cold weather.21 Sept 2021

How do you know if purpura is serious?

The rash often becomes widespread, so for example conjunctiva can occur as well as pinpointing on the skin, and in more severe cases the mucosal surfaces may bleed. Other signs include worsening abdominal pain, increased vomiting, liver enlargement, high haematocrit with low platelet count, lethargy or restlessness.4 Jan 2019

Can purpura be normal?

Purpuric lesions can appear in normal patients, usually women. Bruises, either single or multiple, appear spontaneously, mainly on arms or legs, and resolve without any specific treatment. Senile purpura is usually seen on areas exposed to mild repeated trauma, such as the back of hands.14 Dec 2021

Can purpura be harmless?

Purpura spots are generally benign, but may indicate a more serious medical condition, such as a blood clotting disorder. Sometimes, low platelet levels can cause excessive bruising and bleeding.

What causes blotchy purple skin?

Livedo reticularis is thought to be due to spasms of the blood vessels or an abnormality of the circulation near the skin surface. It makes the skin, usually on the legs, look mottled and purplish, in sort of a netlike pattern with distinct borders. Sometimes livedo reticularis is simply the result of being chilled.