Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAplastic AnemiaPetechiaePurpuraTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Aplastic Anemia
Petechiae
Purpura
Treatment
Anemiais a condition in which a person has a low red blood cell count. Some people withaplastic anemia, a very rare form of the condition, will develop skin issues that appear as a rash. “Anemia rash” is not an official term, so your healthcare provider may use the words"petechiae"or"purpura"to refer to your rash, depending on its size and characteristics.
Learn more about skin manifestations of aplastic anemia in this article.
There are multiple types of anemia.
Aplastic anemiaoccurs when there is an issue in your bone marrow, and not enough red and white blood cells and platelets are produced.It is a very rare disorder.
A lack of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (pancytopenia) can cause symptoms such as:
Platelets, in particular, are the blood cells responsible for clotting. When we get injured, even if it is a small injury to a blood vessel wall, clotting is what stops the bleeding and begins the healing process.
Without enough platelets, a person may bleed excessively and be susceptible to bruising. This is what leads to the skin abnormalities sometimes referred to as “anemia rash.” It often presents like lots of red or purple pinpricks, and sometimes larger sores, on your legs or arms.
Non-Blanching Rash: Causes and When to Call a Healthcare Provider
It is common to mistakepetechiaefor a rash, but they are actually due to a bleeding abnormality.They occur when tiny blood vessels break and hemorrhage (bleed) into the dermis layer of the skin.
Petechiae will present as the following:
In the context of aplastic anemia, petechiae occur due to low platelet counts, meaning the body is not clotting correctly and the tiny blood vessels are at a higher risk of breaking and bleeding into the skin.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPetichae.Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet New Zealand and © Dr Lawrence Meyersonwww.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 © Dr Lawrence Meyersonwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Purpura measure 4–10 millimeters. If the spot is larger than 10 millimeters, it is labeled asecchymoses.
Also similar to petechiae, purpura can be the result of a low platelet count or poor clotting ability in those with aplastic anemia. However, there are othercauses of purpura, too, so consult with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPurpura.Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet New Zealand and © Raimo Suhonenwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet New Zealand and © Raimo Suhonenwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Treatments for aplastic anemia can include:
Summary
A Word From Verywell
While not very common, developing skin manifestations from aplastic anemia can occur. These can be unpleasant and uncomfortable, especially if they cause itching. Treating the underlying cause of the anemia can usually help alleviate the skin issues. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience skin issues as a result of your anemia.
6 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.Aplastic anemia.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Acquired aplastic anemia.NIH National Library of Medicine.Petechiae.Cleveland Clinic.Petechiae.NIH National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).MedlinePlus.Purpura.
6 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.Aplastic anemia.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Acquired aplastic anemia.NIH National Library of Medicine.Petechiae.Cleveland Clinic.Petechiae.NIH National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).MedlinePlus.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.Aplastic anemia.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Acquired aplastic anemia.NIH National Library of Medicine.Petechiae.Cleveland Clinic.Petechiae.NIH National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).MedlinePlus.Purpura.
MedlinePlus.Aplastic anemia.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Acquired aplastic anemia.
NIH National Library of Medicine.Petechiae.
Cleveland Clinic.Petechiae.
NIH National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).
MedlinePlus.Purpura.
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