Purpura

Alternative names:

blood spots; skin hemorrhages

Definition:

Purplish discolorations in the skin produced by small bleeding vessels near the surface of the skin. Purpura may also occur in the mucous membranes (such as the lining of the mouth) and in the internal organs.

Considerations:

Purpura by itself is only a sign of other underlying causes of bleeding.

When purpura spots are very small, they are called petechiae. Large purpura are called ecchymoses.

Purpura may occur with either normal platelet counts (nonthrombocytopenic purpuras) or decreased platelet counts (thrombocytopenic purpuras). Platelets help maintain the integrity of the capillary lining and are important in the clotting process.

Common causes:

Conditions that cause purpura are grouped into two categories: nonthrombocytopenic and thrombocytopenic.

NONTHROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURAS

• pressure changes associated with vaginal delivery of an infant
• Henoch-Schonlein purpura (anaphylactoid purpura)
• congenital cytomegalovirus
• congenital rubella syndrome (changes in the baby that can occur when a pregnant woman has rubella)
• drug-induced platelet dysfunction (some drugs can affect the action of platelets)
• senile purpura (the blood vessels become more fragile as a person ages)

THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURAS

• idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
• immune neonatal thrombocytopenia (a disorder that can occur in infants whose mothers have ITP)
• platelet consumption in cavernous hemangioma
• drug-induced thrombocytopenia (some drugs can prevent the formation of platelets)
• meningococcemia (an infection caused by meningococcus bacteria)

Note: There may be other causes of purpura. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for purpura, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.