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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.
Petechiae
Bleeding into the skin can occur from broken blood vessels that form tiny red dots (called petechiae). Blood also can collect under the tissue in la...
Platelets help the blood clot. A person with purpura may have normal platelet counts (non-thrombocytopenic purpuras) or low platelet counts (thrombocytopenic purpuras).
Platelets
A platelet count is a lab test to measure how many platelets you have in your blood. Platelets are parts of the blood that help the blood clot. The...
Causes
Non-thrombocytopenic purpuras may be due to:
- Amyloidosis
- Blood clotting disorders
-
Congenital cytomegalovirus
Congenital cytomegalovirus
Congenital cytomegalovirus is a condition that can occur when an infant is infected with a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) before birth. Congenit...
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Congenital
rubella
syndrome
Rubella
Rubella, also known as the German measles, is an infection in which there is a rash on the skin. Congenital rubella is when a pregnant woman with rub...
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- Fragile blood vessels seen in older people (senile purpura)
-
Hemangioma
Hemangioma
A hemangioma is an abnormal buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs.
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Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis), such as
Henoch-Schönlein purpura
, which causes a raised type of purpura
Henoch-Schönlein purpura
Henoch-Schönlein purpura is a disease that involves purple spots on the skin, joint pain, gastrointestinal problems, and glomerulonephritis (a type o...
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Scurvy
(vitamin C deficiency)
Scurvy
Scurvy is a disease that occurs when you have a severe lack of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in your diet. Scurvy causes general weakness, anemia, gum d...
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- Certain infections
- Injury
Thrombocytopenic purpura may be due to:
- Drugs that reduce the platelet count
-
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (IT...
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets, which are necessary for normal blood ...
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Immune neonatal
thrombocytopenia
(can occur in infants whose mothers have ITP)
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia is any disorder in which there is an abnormally low amount of platelets. Platelets are parts of the blood that help blood to clot. ...
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Meningococcemia
, a raised type of purpura
Meningococcemia
Meningococcemia is an acute and potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream.
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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 tests may be ordered to determine the cause of the purpura.
Skin biopsy
A skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined. The skin is tested to look for skin conditions or diseases. A...
References
Marks JG, Miller JJ. Purpura. In: Marks JG, Miller JJ, eds. Lookingbill and Marks' Principles of Dermatology . 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 17.
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Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the lower legs - illustration
Henoch-Schonlein Purpura: This disorder usually presents with red to purple bumps on the legs, often accompanied by aching in the joints and fever. This condition follows an infection and usually resolves without treatment. Skin lesions most commonly occur below the knee but may also be seen on the thigh, buttocks, and rarely on the arms.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the lower legs
illustration
-
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's foot - illustration
Henoch-Schonlein purpura is more commonly seen in children than adults and often occurs after an upper respiratory infection. It causes skin rashes that bleed into the skin (petechiae and purpura). Bleeding may also occur from the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's foot
illustration
-
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs - illustration
Henoch-Schonlein purpura is more commonly seen in children than adults and often occurs after an upper respiratory infection. It causes skin rashes that bleed into the skin (petechiae and purpura). Bleeding may also occur from the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs
illustration
-
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs - illustration
Henoch-Schonlein purpura is more commonly seen in children than adults and often occurs after an upper respiratory infection. It causes skin rashes that bleed into the skin (petechiae and purpura). Bleeding may also occur from the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs
illustration
-
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the legs - illustration
Henoch-Schonlein purpura is more commonly seen in children than adults and often occurs after an upper respiratory infection. It causes skin rashes that bleed into the skin (petechiae and purpura). Bleeding may also occur from the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the legs
illustration
-
Meningococcemia on the calves - illustration
Meningococcemia is a life-threatening infection that occurs when the meningococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, invades the blood stream. Bleeding into the skin (petechiae and purpura) may occur. The tissue in areas may die (become necrotic or gangrenous). If the person survives, the areas heal with scarring.
Meningococcemia on the calves
illustration
-
Meningococcemia on the leg - illustration
Meningococcemia is a life-threatening infection that occurs when the meningococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, invades the blood stream. There is usually bleeding into the skin (petechiae and purpura), and the tissue in these areas may die (become necrotic or gangrenous). If the patient survives, the areas heal with scarring. This picture demonstrates more hemorrhage and little tissue death.
Meningococcemia on the leg
illustration
-
Rocky mountain spotted fever on the foot - illustration
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by the organism Rickettsia rickettsii and is transmitted by a tick bite. It is a serious infection that produces a classical rash in about 90% of infected individuals. This is the typical appearance of the rash. There are many symptoms that affect the entire body (systemic).
Rocky mountain spotted fever on the foot
illustration
-
Meningococcemia associated purpura - illustration
Meningococcemia is a life-threatening infection that occurs when the bacteria, Neisseria meningitidis, invades the blood stream. Bleeding into the skin (petechiae and purpura) typically occurs and the tissue may die (become necrotic or gangrenous). If the patient survives, the areas heal with scarring.
Meningococcemia associated purpura
illustration
-
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the lower legs - illustration
Henoch-Schonlein Purpura: This disorder usually presents with red to purple bumps on the legs, often accompanied by aching in the joints and fever. This condition follows an infection and usually resolves without treatment. Skin lesions most commonly occur below the knee but may also be seen on the thigh, buttocks, and rarely on the arms.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the lower legs
illustration
-
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's foot - illustration
Henoch-Schonlein purpura is more commonly seen in children than adults and often occurs after an upper respiratory infection. It causes skin rashes that bleed into the skin (petechiae and purpura). Bleeding may also occur from the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's foot
illustration
-
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs - illustration
Henoch-Schonlein purpura is more commonly seen in children than adults and often occurs after an upper respiratory infection. It causes skin rashes that bleed into the skin (petechiae and purpura). Bleeding may also occur from the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs
illustration
-
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs - illustration
Henoch-Schonlein purpura is more commonly seen in children than adults and often occurs after an upper respiratory infection. It causes skin rashes that bleed into the skin (petechiae and purpura). Bleeding may also occur from the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs
illustration
-
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the legs - illustration
Henoch-Schonlein purpura is more commonly seen in children than adults and often occurs after an upper respiratory infection. It causes skin rashes that bleed into the skin (petechiae and purpura). Bleeding may also occur from the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the legs
illustration
-
Meningococcemia on the calves - illustration
Meningococcemia is a life-threatening infection that occurs when the meningococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, invades the blood stream. Bleeding into the skin (petechiae and purpura) may occur. The tissue in areas may die (become necrotic or gangrenous). If the person survives, the areas heal with scarring.
Meningococcemia on the calves
illustration
-
Meningococcemia on the leg - illustration
Meningococcemia is a life-threatening infection that occurs when the meningococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, invades the blood stream. There is usually bleeding into the skin (petechiae and purpura), and the tissue in these areas may die (become necrotic or gangrenous). If the patient survives, the areas heal with scarring. This picture demonstrates more hemorrhage and little tissue death.
Meningococcemia on the leg
illustration
-
Rocky mountain spotted fever on the foot - illustration
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by the organism Rickettsia rickettsii and is transmitted by a tick bite. It is a serious infection that produces a classical rash in about 90% of infected individuals. This is the typical appearance of the rash. There are many symptoms that affect the entire body (systemic).
Rocky mountain spotted fever on the foot
illustration
-
Meningococcemia associated purpura - illustration
Meningococcemia is a life-threatening infection that occurs when the bacteria, Neisseria meningitidis, invades the blood stream. Bleeding into the skin (petechiae and purpura) typically occurs and the tissue may die (become necrotic or gangrenous). If the patient survives, the areas heal with scarring.
Meningococcemia associated purpura
illustration
Review Date: 4/14/2015
Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
