Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentComplications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Solar purpurais a skin condition that causes purple spots orbruiseswhen small blood vessels leak under the skin. It is common in adults over 50. Excessive sunlight exposure is the main cause, so exposed areas like the limbs are most often affected.
While solar purpura is usually harmless, it can sometimes indicate a more serious condition. For example, it can be a symptom ofleukemia.
This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and ways to manage solar purpura. It will help you to consider whether to contact your healthcare provider about your symptoms.
Aphithana Chitmongkolthong / Getty Images
What Are the Symptoms of Solar Purpura?
Solar purpura are dark-colored bruises, patches, and spots on the skin. They usually begin as deep red patches and turn into very dark purple. The condition is more pronounced in people who have fair skin.
The area of the discoloration is well-defined and typically not itchy or tender to the touch. They range in size from 4 millimeters and 10 millimeters in diameter.
Solar purpura bruises most commonly appear in the areas of the body exposed to the sun, such as the hands, arms, and legs. While they can also occur on the face, it is not very common.
Individual solar purpura patches typically clear up on their own, but they can last a few weeks.
Purpura: Bruise-Like Spots on Skin That Aren’t Bruises
What Are the Causes of Solar Purpura?
Solar purpura occurs due to leaking blood vessels under sun-damaged skin. As you get older,aging skinnaturally gets thinner. At the same time, blood vessels become weak, leading to more chronic conditions of skin fragility.
The use of certain medications, such as blood thinners or steroids, increases the risk of solar purpura.
For example,warfarinand heparin are blood thinners often prescribed to older adults that can make your skin more vulnerable to purpura spots.
Other drugs that can contribute to solar purpura include:
Excessive alcohol intake can also increase the risk of solar purpura.
Blood Thinners: What You Should Know
How Is Solar Purpura Diagnosed?
Solar purpura is diagnosed based on visual examination and ruling out other causes of purpura.
For example, low blood platelet counts can causethrombocytopenicpurpura. This occurs because when platelets are low, blood doesn’t clot properly, which can lead to purpura.
Your healthcare provider may order bloodwork and urine tests to identify other causes. In some cases, a small sample of skin will be removed for further examination.
What Kind of Healthcare Provider Should I See for Purpura?If you develop purpura patches, see your primary healthcare provider. They can help identify any underlying medical causes of purpura, like low blood platelets or medications you are taking. You may also be referred to specialists, such as:Adermatologistto treat delicate skinA hematologist to identify and treat bleeding disorders orblood cancerA rheumatologist to rule out or treat autoimmune causes likelupus
What Kind of Healthcare Provider Should I See for Purpura?
If you develop purpura patches, see your primary healthcare provider. They can help identify any underlying medical causes of purpura, like low blood platelets or medications you are taking. You may also be referred to specialists, such as:Adermatologistto treat delicate skinA hematologist to identify and treat bleeding disorders orblood cancerA rheumatologist to rule out or treat autoimmune causes likelupus
If you develop purpura patches, see your primary healthcare provider. They can help identify any underlying medical causes of purpura, like low blood platelets or medications you are taking. You may also be referred to specialists, such as:
How Is Solar Purpura Treated?
Solar purpura usually heals on its own. If the delicate skin also tears it can be treated like a normal cut.
If medication is contributing to solar purpura, talk to your healthcare provider about lowering the dose or switching medications.
Other topical treatments for solar purpura include:
Since ultraviolet (UV) exposure leads to solar purpura, using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing when out in the sun can be helpful.
Makeup or concealer can cover the bruises. Keeping skin healthy, hydrated, and protected is the best way to prevent new solar purpura spots from developing.
How Long Does Solar Purpura Last?A solar purpura patch can take several weeks to clear up. It starts out as a dark red, turns into a deep purple, and slowly fades over the course of a few weeks.
How Long Does Solar Purpura Last?
A solar purpura patch can take several weeks to clear up. It starts out as a dark red, turns into a deep purple, and slowly fades over the course of a few weeks.
What Is Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)?
Possible Complications of Solar Purpura
Some of the complications that people with solar purpura may have include skin cuts and tears. Due to weakened blood vessels and age-related thinning skin, the skin can tear and cut more easily. If a person with the condition bumps into something, an additional bruise can develop.
Although this condition is known to clear up on its own, at times, new lesions can occur and leave a brown discoloration. This can clear up over months or leave a permanent scar. Solar purpura also may return.
While the appearance of solar purpura may be bothersome, it is not usually a sign of something serious.
Summary
Solar purpura is a common diagnosis in people over age 50 that’s not typically serious. However, it is important to pay attention to your skin and to reach out to a healthcare provider if you have concerns or experience changes in your skin condition.
5 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.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Purpura.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Bruising hands and arms.Dyer JM, Miller RA.Chronic skin fragility of aging: current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2018;11(1):13-18.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Drug-induced thrombocytopenia.Ceilley RI.Treatment of actinic purpura.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(6):44-50.
5 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.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Purpura.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Bruising hands and arms.Dyer JM, Miller RA.Chronic skin fragility of aging: current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2018;11(1):13-18.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Drug-induced thrombocytopenia.Ceilley RI.Treatment of actinic purpura.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(6):44-50.
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.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Purpura.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Bruising hands and arms.Dyer JM, Miller RA.Chronic skin fragility of aging: current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2018;11(1):13-18.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Drug-induced thrombocytopenia.Ceilley RI.Treatment of actinic purpura.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(6):44-50.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Purpura.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Bruising hands and arms.
Dyer JM, Miller RA.Chronic skin fragility of aging: current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2018;11(1):13-18.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Drug-induced thrombocytopenia.
Ceilley RI.Treatment of actinic purpura.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(6):44-50.
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