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Purpura

Show Alternative Names
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.

Platelets help the blood clot. A person with purpura may have a normal platelet count (non-thrombocytopenic purpuras) or a low platelet counts (thrombocytopenic purpuras).

Causes

Non-thrombocytopenic purpuras may be due to:

  • Amyloidosis (disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs)
  • Blood clotting disorders
  • Congenital cytomegalovirus (condition in which an infant is infected with a virus called cytomegalovirus before birth)
  • Congenital rubella syndrome
  • Drugs that affect platelet function or clotting factors
  • Fragile blood vessels seen in older people (senile purpura)
  • Hemangioma (abnormal buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs)
  • Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis), such as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, which causes a raised type of purpura
  • Pressure changes that occur during vaginal childbirth
  • Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency)
  • Steroid use
  • Certain infections
  • Injury

Thrombocytopenic purpura may be due to:

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 and urine tests may be ordered to determine the cause of the purpura.

Review Date: 6/7/2023

Reviewed By

Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

References

Dinulos JGH. Principles of diagnosis and anatomy. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 1.

Kitchens CS. Purpura and other hematovascular disorders. In: Kitchens CS, Kessler CM, Konkle BA, Streiff MB, Garcia DA, eds. Consultative Hemostasis and Thrombosis. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 10.

Disclaimer

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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Videos
Images
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the lower legs - Illustration Thumbnail

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the lower legs

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.

Illustration

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's foot - Illustration Thumbnail

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's foot

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.

Illustration

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs - Illustration Thumbnail

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs

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.

Illustration

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs - Illustration Thumbnail

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs

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.

Illustration

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the legs - Illustration Thumbnail

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the legs

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.

Illustration

Meningococcemia on the calves - Illustration Thumbnail

Meningococcemia on the calves

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.

Illustration

Meningococcemia on the leg - Illustration Thumbnail

Meningococcemia on the leg

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.

Illustration

Rocky mountain spotted fever on the foot - Illustration Thumbnail

Rocky mountain spotted fever on the foot

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).

Illustration

Meningococcemia associated purpura - Illustration Thumbnail

Meningococcemia associated purpura

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.

Illustration

 
 
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the lower legs - Illustration Thumbnail

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the lower legs

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.

Illustration

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's foot - Illustration Thumbnail

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's foot

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.

Illustration

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs - Illustration Thumbnail

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs

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.

Illustration

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs - Illustration Thumbnail

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs

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.

Illustration

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the legs - Illustration Thumbnail

Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the legs

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.

Illustration

Meningococcemia on the calves - Illustration Thumbnail

Meningococcemia on the calves

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.

Illustration

Meningococcemia on the leg - Illustration Thumbnail

Meningococcemia on the leg

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.

Illustration

Rocky mountain spotted fever on the foot - Illustration Thumbnail

Rocky mountain spotted fever on the foot

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).

Illustration

Meningococcemia associated purpura - Illustration Thumbnail

Meningococcemia associated purpura

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.

Illustration

 
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