Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptoms and CharacteristicsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to Consult a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms and Characteristics
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to Consult a Healthcare Provider
Apurpuricrash is an area of the skin covered withpurpura. Purpura are bruise-like purple spots on the skin ormucous membranes(such as inside the mouth). Purpuric rashes are a symptom, not a condition.
Most conditions or injuries that cause purpuric rashes are from infections, injury, or autoimmune conditions.The rash can be seen anywhere on the skin but is often found on the legs and arms.
This article will discuss purpuric rash symptoms and causes. It will also cover treatment options and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Purpuric Rash Symptoms and Characteristics
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Purpuricrashsymptoms and characteristics will vary based on the underlying cause. Below is an overview of how purpuric rashes develop.
Location
A purpuric rash can develop anywhere on theskinand mucous membranes.It may be seen on the arms, legs, hands, feet, trunk, and just about anywhere else.
Onset of Symptoms
A purpuric rash will appear when the small blood vessels under the skin leak blood. This onset will vary greatly based on the underlying cause.
Viral infections like chickenpox cause a common type of purpuric rash. This is called anacute thrombocytopenic purpura. It is usually a very sudden onset of symptoms and resolves in a few weeks to six months.
Appearance and Shape
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet New Zealand and © Raimo Suhonenwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet New Zealand and © Raimo Suhonenwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Pururpic rashes are made up of purpura spots which range from 4 to 10 millimeters (mm) in diameter. Purpura spots that are smaller than 4 mm are defined aspetechiae.When purpura spots grow larger than 1 centimeter (cm) in diameter, they are called ecchymosis (bruises).
Purpura appears red to purple and does notblanch(turn white) when pressed.
A purpuric rash will remain flat against the skin (not raised) and can develop into any shape.
Sensations
A purpuric rash will not itch. It may be tender or slightly painful due to the blood accumulation under the skin. Depending on the underlying illness or injury, there may be other sensations as well.
Non-Blanching Rash: Causes and When to Call a Healthcare Provider
Causes of Purpuric Rash
Numerous conditions can cause a purpuric rash. Most conditions fall under two categories: non-thrombocytopenic and thrombocytopenic purpura.
“Thrombocytopenic” is a medical term that means “lowplateletcount.” Platelets are a type of blood cell that forms blood clots.
In non-thrombocytopenic purpuric rashes, the person has a normal platelet count. Examples of conditions or circumstances that cause a non-thrombocytopenic purpuric rash are:
Thrombocytopenic purpuric rashes occur when someone has a condition that causes a low platelet count. Examples of conditions or circumstances that cause thrombocytopenic purpuric rashes are:
Other, more rare causes of purpuric rashes, are blood cancers like lymphoma and leukemia. These conditions can make abnormal antibodies against platelet proteins.
Diagnosis: How to Tell You Have a Purpuric Rash
A purpuric rash will be primarily diagnosed based on its appearance and the person’s health history.
A healthcare provider will then work to determine the underlying cause of the rash. They may use blood tests like acomplete blood count(CBC) to evaluate blood cell levels, including platelet counts.
If an infection is suspected, specific testing may be used to make that diagnosis. For example, if meningococcemia is suspected, a healthcare provider will perform a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to collectcerebrospinal fluid(CSF) for testing.
Treatment, Management, and Self-Care
Treatment options for purpuric rashes are based on the underlying cause.
For thrombocytopenic purpuric rashes, the first two treatments used are:
If the above treatments do not work, other treatment options include:
Senile purpura typically does not need treatment. Those with it might use extra sun protection (sunscreen or long sleeves) to protect their skin.
Amyloidosis treatment varies, but can include chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, or medications.
Medications that are causing purpuric rashes may be changed or stopped at the recommendation of a healthcare provider. If the rash spots are aesthetically concerning, they may be covered up with clothes or makeup.
Purpuric Rash RelapseUnderlying illness or injury is typically the cause of a purpuric rash. The rash generally heals and resolves when the cause is treated. However, about 1 out of 3 people with Henoch-Schönlein purpura will have recurrent episodes. They tend to be less severe but last longer.
Purpuric Rash Relapse
Underlying illness or injury is typically the cause of a purpuric rash. The rash generally heals and resolves when the cause is treated. However, about 1 out of 3 people with Henoch-Schönlein purpura will have recurrent episodes. They tend to be less severe but last longer.
Other symptoms can accompany a purpuric rash. Anytime the rash is associated with the following symptoms, seek immediate medical care:
A Word From VerywellIt takes from several days to a few weeks for purpura to resolve with treatment, so be patient.—STELLA BARD, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
It takes from several days to a few weeks for purpura to resolve with treatment, so be patient.—STELLA BARD, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
It takes from several days to a few weeks for purpura to resolve with treatment, so be patient.
—STELLA BARD, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Summary
9 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.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) causes, symptoms, and treatment.The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.Petechiae and purpura.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocytopenia.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease diagnosis and treatment.DermNet.Senile purpura.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Amyloidosis.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Henoch-Scholein purpura.
9 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.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) causes, symptoms, and treatment.The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.Petechiae and purpura.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocytopenia.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease diagnosis and treatment.DermNet.Senile purpura.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Amyloidosis.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Henoch-Scholein purpura.
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.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) causes, symptoms, and treatment.The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.Petechiae and purpura.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocytopenia.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease diagnosis and treatment.DermNet.Senile purpura.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Amyloidosis.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Henoch-Scholein purpura.
MedlinePlus.Purpura.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) causes, symptoms, and treatment.
The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.Petechiae and purpura.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocytopenia.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease diagnosis and treatment.
DermNet.Senile purpura.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Amyloidosis.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Henoch-Scholein purpura.
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