Purpura
Purpura is purple-colored spots and patches that occur on the skin, organs, and in mucus membranes, including the lining of the mouth.
Alternative Names
Blood spots; Skin hemorrhages
Considerations
Purpura occurs when small blood vessels join together or leak blood under the skin.
When purpura spots are very small, they are called petechiae
. Large purpura are called ecchymoses.
Platelets
help the blood clot. A person with purpura may have normal platelet counts (nonthrombocytopenic purpuras) or low platelet counts (thrombocytopenic purpuras).
Common Causes
Nonthrombocytopenic purpuras may be due to:
Thrombocytopenic purpura may be due to:
Call your health care provider if
Call your doctor for an appointment if you have signs of purpura.
What to expect at your health care provider's office
Your doctor will examine your skin and ask you questions 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 medications 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.
References
Korman NJ. Macular, papular, vesicobullous, and pustular diseases. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 465.
Coller BS, Schneidermann PI. Clinical evaluation of hemorrhagic disorders: the bleeding history and differential diagnosis of purpura. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone; 2008: chap 121.
Updated: 5/20/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.