Medical Encyclopedia

 

Medical Encyclopedia

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Purpura

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the lower legs
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the lower legs
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's foot
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's foot
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the legs
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the legs
Meningococcemia on the calves
Meningococcemia on the calves
Meningococcemia on the leg
Meningococcemia on the leg
Rocky mountain spotted fever on the foot
Rocky mountain spotted fever on the foot
Meningococcemia associated purpura
Meningococcemia associated purpura

Alternative Names    Return to top

Blood spots; Skin hemorrhages

Definition    Return to top

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

Considerations    Return to top

Purpura occurs when small blood vessels under the skin leak.

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 decreased platelet counts (thrombocytopenic purpuras).

Causes    Return to top

Nonthrombocytopenic purpuras may be due to:

Thrombocytopenic purpura may be due to:

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call your doctor for an appointment if you have signs of purpura.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit    Return to top

Your doctor will examine your skin and ask you questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:

A skin biopsy may be done.

References    Return to top

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:2410.

Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Orlando, Fl: Churchill Livingstone; 2005.

Update Date: 4/17/2009

Updated by: Michael Lehrer, MD, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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