Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of PurpuraThrombocytopenicNonthrombocytopenicOther TypesFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Purpura
Thrombocytopenic
Nonthrombocytopenic
Other Types
FAQ
On light skin, purpuras appear purple. On dark skin, the patches appear dark brown or black. 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.
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.
Jodi Jacobson / Getty Images
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A condition calledthrombocytopeniacauses low platelets. It results in bruising, bleeding into tissues, and slow blood clotting.
Other types of purpura don’t fit into these categories. Instead, they’re tied to more serious conditions.
What Are Petechiae?
How to Live With Low Platelets
Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Thrombocytopenic purpura (TP) is a consequence of thrombocytopenia. When platelets are low, blood doesn’t 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.
Platelet Function Disorders Overview
Signs
Thrombocytopenic purpura causes tiny purple or dark dots, and larger patches. It’s one symptom of thrombocytopenia.
Other symptoms include:
Low platelet counts that lead to bleeding inside the skull can be a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition, so contact your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
What Is a Brain Bleed?
Causes
Chemotherapy drugs can damage platelets, as well. That leads to low levels.
Is Purpura a Symptom of Leukemia?It can be. Someblood cancers(lymphomas and leukemias) can cause low levels of platelets. It’s been seen with some types ofacute myeloid leukemia(AML), in both adults and children.It’s also apparent withchronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL) and T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia (T-LGL).Not only can these conditions lead to easy bruising, but they may cause other symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, lumps or swellings, and night sweats.
Is Purpura a Symptom of Leukemia?
It can be. Someblood cancers(lymphomas and leukemias) can cause low levels of platelets. It’s been seen with some types ofacute myeloid leukemia(AML), in both adults and children.It’s also apparent withchronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL) and T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia (T-LGL).Not only can these conditions lead to easy bruising, but they may cause other symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, lumps or swellings, and night sweats.
It can be. Someblood cancers(lymphomas and leukemias) can cause low levels of platelets. It’s been seen with some types ofacute myeloid leukemia(AML), in both adults and children.It’s also apparent withchronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL) and T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia (T-LGL).
Not only can these conditions lead to easy bruising, but they may cause other symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, lumps or swellings, and night sweats.
Low Platelets During Chemotherapy
Treatment
Treatment for TP depends on the cause. It usually resolves once the cause is treated.
Typical first-line treatments include:
In persistent or chronic cases, treatments may include:
In some cases, an underlying infection may be treated. In children, often following a viral infection likechickenpox, the ITP usually goes away without treatment. If it doesn’t, the above treatments may be used.
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Nonthrombocytopenic Purpura
Nonthrombocytopenic purpura (NTP) involves bleeding due to altered—not low—platelet function or inflammation. Damaged blood vessels leak even though platelet counts are in the normal range.
Conditions that can lead to NTP include:
Leukocytoclasticor IgA vasculitis (formerly called Henoch-Schönlein purpura) are among the types ofvasculitisthat can cause purpura. A red or purple rash, as well as joint pain, is common with IgA vasculitis.
Causes of nonthrombocytopenic purpura can include:
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. It’s also more common in boys than girls.
Other possible causes of NTP include:
Causes of Skin Changes in Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis
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).
Bleeding Into the Skin: Causes of Sudden Skin Changes
Other Types of Purpura
Other types of purpura don’t fit into the thrombocytopenic or nonthrombocytopenic categories. They’re usually quite serious and require immediate treatment.
What Is Purpura Fulminans?Purpura fulminans is a rare but potentially life-threatening disorder, proving fatal in up to 50% of cases.Most often, it’s a progressive condition that follows disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and septic shock in a response to inflammation. It also occurs as a rare genetic disorder.
What Is Purpura Fulminans?
Purpura fulminans is a rare but potentially life-threatening disorder, proving fatal in up to 50% of cases.Most often, it’s a progressive condition that follows disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and septic shock in a response to inflammation. It also occurs as a rare genetic disorder.
Signs and Symptoms
Purpura all over the body is one sign of disseminated intravascular coagulation. The others include:
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia causes:
You may also have redness or a rash where the heparin was administered. Later signs include numbness and weakness.
Warfarin-induced skin necrosisstarts with purpura, then progresses to:
This condition most often affects specific areas of the body. They include:
The most common causes of DIC include:
Less often, it can be due to:
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. This includes:
Warfarin-induced skin necrosis treatment consists of:
Summary
Nonthrombocytopenic purpura often doesn’t need to be treated; the others do. The treatment depends on the cause. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia needs immediate treatment.
Usually, the focus of treatment isn’t the purpura itself, but the underlying condition that triggered it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Probably not. Purpura is more likely to appear in the mouth’s inner lining. A purple spot on your lip might be from an allergic reaction to food or excessive chewing on the lip.Learn MoreWhat Is Solar Purpura Bruising?
Probably not. Purpura is more likely to appear in the mouth’s inner lining. A purple spot on your lip might be from an allergic reaction to food or excessive chewing on the lip.
Learn MoreWhat Is Solar Purpura Bruising?
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.Learn MorePetechiae vs. Purpura: What Skin Discoloration Can Tell You About Your Health
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.
Learn MorePetechiae vs. Purpura: What Skin Discoloration Can Tell You About Your Health
Learn MoreMuscle Bruise Symptoms and Treatment
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Purpura.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.Zdravic D, Yougbare I, Vadasz B, et al.Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia.Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2016;21(1):19-27. doi:10.1016/j.siny.2015.12.004Goto A, Iwata T, Nozawa S, Akiyama H.Humeral diaphyseal osteolytic lesion as the initial presentation of acute myeloid leukemia in a child: a case report and review of the literature.Cureus. 2022;14(3):e22791. doi:10.7759/cureus.22791Oye M, Alkhasawneh A, Quan JR.Gamma-delta large granular lymphocytic leukemia: a diagnostic dilemma.Cureus. 2022;14(4):e24124. doi:10.7759/cureus.24124Blood Cancer UK.Blood cancer symptoms and signs.Overcash MD.Perplexing bruises on the forearms.JAAPA. 2015;28(5):14-16. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000464284.15408.85National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.IgA vasculitis.Reamy BV, Servey JT, Williams PM.Henoch-Schönlein purpura (IgA vasculitis): rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician. 2020;102(4):229-233.Joshisree KP, Rajesh G, Siddarama R.Corticosteroids induced ecchymosis.International J Pharm and Pharm Sci.2018;10(1):211–213. doi:10.22159/ijpps.2018v10i1.22212MedlinePlus.Disseminated intravascular coagulation.Linkins LA.Heparin induced thrombocytopenia.BMJ. 2015;350:g7566. doi:10.1136/bmj.g7566Wali M, Latif MT, Lockwood M, Saeyeldin A, Borz-Baba C.Warfarin-induced skin necrosis despite enoxaparin bridging therapy.Cureus. 2022;14(1):e20883. doi:10.7759/cureus.20883Asif M, Quiroga L, Lagziel T, Ladd SB, Caffrey J.A multidisciplinary approach to the management of severe purpura fulminans in a burn center: a case series. Cureus. 2019;11(8):e5478. doi:10.7759/cureus.5478National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine.Bruises and blood spots under the skin.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Purpura.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.Zdravic D, Yougbare I, Vadasz B, et al.Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia.Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2016;21(1):19-27. doi:10.1016/j.siny.2015.12.004Goto A, Iwata T, Nozawa S, Akiyama H.Humeral diaphyseal osteolytic lesion as the initial presentation of acute myeloid leukemia in a child: a case report and review of the literature.Cureus. 2022;14(3):e22791. doi:10.7759/cureus.22791Oye M, Alkhasawneh A, Quan JR.Gamma-delta large granular lymphocytic leukemia: a diagnostic dilemma.Cureus. 2022;14(4):e24124. doi:10.7759/cureus.24124Blood Cancer UK.Blood cancer symptoms and signs.Overcash MD.Perplexing bruises on the forearms.JAAPA. 2015;28(5):14-16. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000464284.15408.85National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.IgA vasculitis.Reamy BV, Servey JT, Williams PM.Henoch-Schönlein purpura (IgA vasculitis): rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician. 2020;102(4):229-233.Joshisree KP, Rajesh G, Siddarama R.Corticosteroids induced ecchymosis.International J Pharm and Pharm Sci.2018;10(1):211–213. doi:10.22159/ijpps.2018v10i1.22212MedlinePlus.Disseminated intravascular coagulation.Linkins LA.Heparin induced thrombocytopenia.BMJ. 2015;350:g7566. doi:10.1136/bmj.g7566Wali M, Latif MT, Lockwood M, Saeyeldin A, Borz-Baba C.Warfarin-induced skin necrosis despite enoxaparin bridging therapy.Cureus. 2022;14(1):e20883. doi:10.7759/cureus.20883Asif M, Quiroga L, Lagziel T, Ladd SB, Caffrey J.A multidisciplinary approach to the management of severe purpura fulminans in a burn center: a case series. Cureus. 2019;11(8):e5478. doi:10.7759/cureus.5478National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine.Bruises and blood spots under the skin.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Purpura.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.Zdravic D, Yougbare I, Vadasz B, et al.Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia.Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2016;21(1):19-27. doi:10.1016/j.siny.2015.12.004Goto A, Iwata T, Nozawa S, Akiyama H.Humeral diaphyseal osteolytic lesion as the initial presentation of acute myeloid leukemia in a child: a case report and review of the literature.Cureus. 2022;14(3):e22791. doi:10.7759/cureus.22791Oye M, Alkhasawneh A, Quan JR.Gamma-delta large granular lymphocytic leukemia: a diagnostic dilemma.Cureus. 2022;14(4):e24124. doi:10.7759/cureus.24124Blood Cancer UK.Blood cancer symptoms and signs.Overcash MD.Perplexing bruises on the forearms.JAAPA. 2015;28(5):14-16. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000464284.15408.85National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.IgA vasculitis.Reamy BV, Servey JT, Williams PM.Henoch-Schönlein purpura (IgA vasculitis): rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician. 2020;102(4):229-233.Joshisree KP, Rajesh G, Siddarama R.Corticosteroids induced ecchymosis.International J Pharm and Pharm Sci.2018;10(1):211–213. doi:10.22159/ijpps.2018v10i1.22212MedlinePlus.Disseminated intravascular coagulation.Linkins LA.Heparin induced thrombocytopenia.BMJ. 2015;350:g7566. doi:10.1136/bmj.g7566Wali M, Latif MT, Lockwood M, Saeyeldin A, Borz-Baba C.Warfarin-induced skin necrosis despite enoxaparin bridging therapy.Cureus. 2022;14(1):e20883. doi:10.7759/cureus.20883Asif M, Quiroga L, Lagziel T, Ladd SB, Caffrey J.A multidisciplinary approach to the management of severe purpura fulminans in a burn center: a case series. Cureus. 2019;11(8):e5478. doi:10.7759/cureus.5478National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine.Bruises and blood spots under the skin.
MedlinePlus.Purpura.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Zdravic D, Yougbare I, Vadasz B, et al.Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia.Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2016;21(1):19-27. doi:10.1016/j.siny.2015.12.004
Goto A, Iwata T, Nozawa S, Akiyama H.Humeral diaphyseal osteolytic lesion as the initial presentation of acute myeloid leukemia in a child: a case report and review of the literature.Cureus. 2022;14(3):e22791. doi:10.7759/cureus.22791
Oye M, Alkhasawneh A, Quan JR.Gamma-delta large granular lymphocytic leukemia: a diagnostic dilemma.Cureus. 2022;14(4):e24124. doi:10.7759/cureus.24124
Blood Cancer UK.Blood cancer symptoms and signs.
Overcash MD.Perplexing bruises on the forearms.JAAPA. 2015;28(5):14-16. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000464284.15408.85
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.IgA vasculitis.
Reamy BV, Servey JT, Williams PM.Henoch-Schönlein purpura (IgA vasculitis): rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician. 2020;102(4):229-233.
Joshisree KP, Rajesh G, Siddarama R.Corticosteroids induced ecchymosis.International J Pharm and Pharm Sci.2018;10(1):211–213. doi:10.22159/ijpps.2018v10i1.22212
MedlinePlus.Disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Linkins LA.Heparin induced thrombocytopenia.BMJ. 2015;350:g7566. doi:10.1136/bmj.g7566
Wali M, Latif MT, Lockwood M, Saeyeldin A, Borz-Baba C.Warfarin-induced skin necrosis despite enoxaparin bridging therapy.Cureus. 2022;14(1):e20883. doi:10.7759/cureus.20883
Asif M, Quiroga L, Lagziel T, Ladd SB, Caffrey J.A multidisciplinary approach to the management of severe purpura fulminans in a burn center: a case series. Cureus. 2019;11(8):e5478. doi:10.7759/cureus.5478
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine.Bruises and blood spots under the skin.
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