The change in the color of our skin or the appearance of spots on it is a sign that can accompany different diseases of very different origins. Depending on the conditions that affect a person, the skin can turn different colors, such as yellow, blue, white, black, red, and, in this particular case, purple. The correct relationship between the color of the skin and the symptoms of the affected person can guide you towards the right path for the diagnosis of a disease. Although the appearance of purple areas on our skin after trauma is normal, something that we have all experienced at some point in our lives, the appearance of purple spots can be one of the first signs of quite serious diseases, so in this FastlyHealarticle, we will explain why do purple spots appear on the skin.
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What are purple spots on the skin?
Also called purpuric disease or syndrome, it is a condition characterized by the outflow of blood from the blood vessels and its accumulation in the surrounding tissues, which manifests itself on the skin with the appearance of purple or reddish areas which may be small. Or large, being also called petechiae or ecchymosis, respectively.
Why do purple spots appear on the skin – causes?
There are two types of disease purpura. The first is caused by a condition that does not alter the values of platelets in the blood, called non-thrombocytopenic purpura, and can be caused by the following conditions:
- Infections
- Scurvy
- Congenital rubella
- Bleeding disorders
- Use of steroids
- Congenital cytomegalovirus
- Fragile blood vessels
- Hemangioma
- Amyloidosis
On the other hand, there are the purple ones accompanied by a decrease in platelets, called thrombocytopenic purples, which can be caused by:
- Medicines lower platelet levels, such as barbiturates, indomethacin, or allopurinol.
- An autoimmune response usually causes idiopathic thrombocytopenic.
- Neonatal immune thrombocytopenia.
- Meningococcemia.
What are the symptoms of purple spots on the skin?
The bruises on the skin, in general, are a sign that in itself do not present any particular symptoms, being instead a manifestation of other systemic conditions with their signs and symptoms. In other words, the symptoms of a patient with purple spots on the skin will depend on the disease that is causing the spots.
However, many of the conditions that cause the appearance of bruises on the skin can also cause spontaneous bleeding from the mouth or nose, and the formation of bruises is usually more common in women.
Diagnosis of purple spots on the skin
When a purple spot appears on the skin, the first thing to do is distinguish whether the defect was caused by a blow to the area, which can cause blood to leak, or by an underlying disease or condition. To do this, your doctor will ask you a series of questions about your health history and that of your family and will try to find out when was the first time you noticed the appearance of the spots.
When it is known that the spots are not caused by trauma, and the condition that causes them is not yet known, a study of blood values is recommended to determine if there is an alteration of any of the elements that make it up. It could be causing this sign.
What is the treatment of purple spots on the skin?
Because the appearance of purplish spots on the skin is a manifestation of some systemic disease, generally, the treatment to eliminate them is the same applied to control or eliminate the condition causing it. For example, if the condition is caused by some medication, stopping or replacing the drug can make the spots disappear.
When low levels of platelets cause the spots, certain medications can contribute to an increase in their classes, which in turn can stop the appearance of the areas. Corticosteroids are an example of this, which can help control blood platelets to decrease the activity of the immune system, and intravenous immunoglobulins can rapidly increase platelet levels. However, these changes will always be temporary and only applicable when platelet deficiency reaches alarming levels or before surgical procedures. The priority will always be to control the disease-causing the appearance of the symptoms.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why do purple spots appear on the skin, we recommend that you enter our Skin, hair, and nails category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.