Generally, they are small bruise-like spots on the skin that look different than typical bruising.
On light skin, purpuras appear purple.
On dark skin, the patches appear dark brown or black.
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
You may notice them on your skin ormucous membranes(e.g., inside your mouth).
There are several possible causes of purpuras, ranging from the use of certain medications to serious medical conditions.
Some cases may be temporary, while others are longer-lasting.Treatment depends on the cause.
Jodi Jacobson / Getty Images
This article looks at the types, symptoms, and causes of purpuras and how the condition is treated.
It will help you to know when to contact your healthcare provider.
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A condition calledthrombocytopeniacauses low platelets.
It results in bruising, bleeding into tissues, and slow blood clotting.
Other types of purpura dont fit into these categories.
Instead, theyre tied to more serious conditions.
The size and distribution of purpura are usually determined by whats causing them.
What Are Petechiae?
Petechiae are tiny red dots of skin that are due to bleeding.
They are considered smaller versions of purpura and measure less than 4 mm in diameter.
When these spots reach larger than 1 centimeter (cm), they are consideredecchymosis.
Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Thrombocytopenic purpura (TP) is a consequence of thrombocytopenia.
When platelets are low, blood doesnt clot properly.FIt can be hard to stop bleeding from cuts and scrapes.
TP has other bleeding-related symptoms, other causes, and a variety of treatment options.
Signs
Thrombocytopenic purpura causes tiny purple or dark dots, and larger patches.
Its one symptom of thrombocytopenia.
Causes
TP is resulting from thrombocytopenia.
Thrombocytopenia can be due to conditions that affect the platelets.
These include:
Chemotherapy drugs can damage platelets, as well.
That leads to low levels.
Is Purpura a Symptom of Leukemia?
Someblood cancers(lymphomas and leukemias) can cause low levels of platelets.
Treatment
Treatment for TP depends on the cause.
It usually resolves once the cause is treated.
In children, often following a viral infection likechickenpox, the ITP usually goes away without treatment.
If it doesnt, the above treatments may be used.
Nonthrombocytopenic Purpura
Nonthrombocytopenic purpura (NTP) involves bleeding due to alterednot lowplatelet function or inflammation.
Damaged blood vessels leak even though platelet counts are in the normal range.
A red or purple rash, as well as joint pain, is common with IgA vasculitis.
Causes of nonthrombocytopenic purpura can include:
Senile purpura is caused bythinning and weakening skinand blood vessels.
These changes are usually related to sun damage or aging.
Some medications can cause purpura, including blood-thinning drugs likewarfarinor aspirin.
IgA vasculitis-related purpura is due to inflammation.
Inflammation damages blood vessels and allows red blood cells to leak and cause afine rash.
It usually follows a respiratory illness, such asstrep throat, but the exact cause is unknown.
IgA vasculitis can happen at any age but is most common between the ages of two and six.
Its also more common in boys than girls.
Nonthrombocytopenic purpura doesnt have specific treatments.
If its because of an underlying condition, treating that condition may help.
Otherwise, senile and IgA vasculitis-related cases usually go away on their own.
Some people use alpha-hydroxy acid cream or tretinoin cream to make skin thicker.
Wearing protective sleeves can help to prevent bumps and bruises that lead to purpura.
Some people prefer to cover the spots with makeup.
The mild joint pain of IgA vasculitis is usually treated with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications.
These include Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen).
Some cases of IgA vasculitis are severe or include kidney damage.
Its thought to be brought on by an overactive immune system.
Soimmunosuppressantsare used to treat them.
Other Types of Purpura
Other types of purpura dont fit into the thrombocytopenic or nonthrombocytopenic categories.
Theyre usually quite serious and require immediate treatment.
What Is Purpura Fulminans?
It also occurs as a rare genetic disorder.
Signs and Symptoms
Purpura all over the body is one sign of disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Later signs include numbness and weakness.
Your body recognizes heparin as a foreign invader and creates antibodies against it.
Then antibodies bind to heparin in the bloodstream.
That activates platelets, which causes too much clotting.
Purpura is one of the first signs.
Warfarin-induced skin necrosis is a rare complication of taking the drug warfarin.
For DIC, the cause of purpura needs to be treated.
Meanwhile, plasma transfusions and blood-thinning medication can help treat the symptoms.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia requires immediate treatment.
Thrombocytopenic purpura is resulting from low platelets in the blood.
Nonthrombocytopenic purpura and other types are not.
Nonthrombocytopenic purpura often doesnt need to be treated; the others do.
The treatment depends on the cause.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia needs immediate treatment.
Usually, the focus of treatment isnt the purpura itself, but the underlying condition that triggered it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Probably not.
Purpura is more likely to appear in the mouths inner lining.
Purpura can resemble a rash or bruise.
Bleeding underneath the skin causes tiny red or purple dots called petechiae.
A group of petechiae can look like a rash.
A dark blue spot on the skin can look like purpura.
Bruises heal on their own over the course of two to four weeks.
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