Purpura occurs when small blood vessels burst, causing blood to pool under the skin. This can create purple spots on the skin that range in size from small dots to large patches. Purpura spots are generally benign, but may indicate a more serious medical condition, such as a blood clotting disorder.
What is the most common cause of purpura?
Aging skin is thought to be the most common cause of senile purpura. As the body ages, the skin becomes thinner and more delicate. Over time, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays weakens the connective tissues that hold the blood vessels in their place.Aug 6, 2017
How do I know if I have purpura?
The four main characteristics of Henoch-Schonlein purpura include: Rash (purpura). Reddish-purple spots that look like bruises develop on the buttocks, legs and feet. The rash can also appear on the arms, face and trunk and may be worse in areas of pressure, such as the sock line and waistline.
What does senile purpura look like?
Senile purpura is characterised by irregularly-shaped macules, 1 4 cm in diameter, that are dark purple with well-defined margins. The lesions do not undergo the colour changes of a bruise and take up to three weeks to resolve.
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].
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.
What are the signs and symptoms of purpura?
- 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.
- gut problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain.
Do I have purpura?
Purpura means you have dark spots or patches on the skin. They're purple on light skin and dark brown or black on darker skin. Spots are caused by leaks in small blood vessels. They can show up on the skin and mucous membranes.
How do you identify purpura?
Symptoms of purpura The main symptom of purpura is a purplish-red rash just beneath the skin's surface. This rash may appear dark brown or black on darker skin tones. The rash can appear anywhere on the body, including on mucous membranes such as the lining of the mouth.
What disease causes purpura?
When blood vessels get inflamed, they can bleed into the skin, causing a reddish-purple rash (purpura). Henoch-Schonlein purpura (also known as IgA vasculitis) is a disorder that causes the small blood vessels in your skin, joints, intestines and kidneys to become inflamed and bleed.
When should I be concerned 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.