BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuPurpuraBlood spots; Skin hemorrhagesPurpura 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.PetechiaeBleeding 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...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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).ThrombocytopenicThrombocytopenia is any disorder in which there is an abnormally low amount of platelets. Platelets are parts of the blood that help blood to clot. ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Non-thrombocytopenic purpuras may be due to:Amyloidosis (disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs) AmyloidosisPrimary amyloidosis is a rare disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood clotting disorders Congenital cytomegalovirus (condition in which an infant is infected with a virus called cytomegalovirus before birth) Congenital cytomegalovirusCongenital cytomegalovirus is a condition that can occur when an infant is infected with a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) before birth. Congenit...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Congenital rubella syndrome RubellaRubella, 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...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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) HemangiomaA hemangioma is an abnormal buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis), such as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, which causes a raised type of purpura Henoch-Schönlein purpuraIgA vasculitis is a disease that involves purple spots on the skin, joint pain, gastrointestinal problems, and glomerulonephritis (a type of kidney d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pressure changes that occur during vaginal childbirth Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) ScurvyScurvy 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...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Steroid use Certain infections Injury Thrombocytopenic purpura may be due to:Drugs that reduce the platelet count Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) -- a bleeding disorder Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpuraImmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets, which are necessary for normal blood clot...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Immune neonatal thrombocytopenia (can occur in infants whose mothers have ITP) Meningococcemia (bloodstream infection) MeningococcemiaMeningococcemia is an acute and potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream.Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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.Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos 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.AllVideoImagesTogHenoch-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 legsillustrationHenoch-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 footillustrationHenoch-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 legsillustrationHenoch-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 legsillustrationHenoch-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 legsillustrationMeningococcemia 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 calvesillustrationMeningococcemia 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 legillustrationRocky 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 footillustrationMeningococcemia 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 purpuraillustrationHenoch-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 legsillustrationHenoch-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 footillustrationHenoch-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 legsillustrationHenoch-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 legsillustrationHenoch-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 legsillustrationMeningococcemia 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 calvesillustrationMeningococcemia 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 legillustrationRocky 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 footillustrationMeningococcemia 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 purpuraillustrationRelated Information Bleeding into the skin(Symptoms)Platelet count(Medical Test) 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. 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. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
PurpuraBlood spots; Skin hemorrhagesPurpura 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.PetechiaeBleeding 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...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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).ThrombocytopenicThrombocytopenia is any disorder in which there is an abnormally low amount of platelets. Platelets are parts of the blood that help blood to clot. ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Non-thrombocytopenic purpuras may be due to:Amyloidosis (disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs) AmyloidosisPrimary amyloidosis is a rare disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood clotting disorders Congenital cytomegalovirus (condition in which an infant is infected with a virus called cytomegalovirus before birth) Congenital cytomegalovirusCongenital cytomegalovirus is a condition that can occur when an infant is infected with a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) before birth. Congenit...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Congenital rubella syndrome RubellaRubella, 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...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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) HemangiomaA hemangioma is an abnormal buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis), such as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, which causes a raised type of purpura Henoch-Schönlein purpuraIgA vasculitis is a disease that involves purple spots on the skin, joint pain, gastrointestinal problems, and glomerulonephritis (a type of kidney d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pressure changes that occur during vaginal childbirth Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) ScurvyScurvy 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...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Steroid use Certain infections Injury Thrombocytopenic purpura may be due to:Drugs that reduce the platelet count Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) -- a bleeding disorder Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpuraImmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets, which are necessary for normal blood clot...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Immune neonatal thrombocytopenia (can occur in infants whose mothers have ITP) Meningococcemia (bloodstream infection) MeningococcemiaMeningococcemia is an acute and potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream.Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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.Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos 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.