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Purpura is purple-colored spots and patches that occur on the skin, on organs, and in mucous membranes, including the lining of the mouth.
Purpura occurs when small blood vessels under the skin leak.
When purpura spots are very small, they are called petechiae. Large purpura are called ecchymoses.
A person with purpura may have normal platelet counts (nonthrombocytopenic purpuras) or decreased platelet counts (thrombocytopenic purpuras). Platelets help the blood clot.
Nonthrombocytopenic purpuras may be due to:
Thrombocytopenic purpura may be due to:
Call your doctor for an appointment if you have signs of purpura.
Your doctor will examine your skin and ask you questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:
A skin biopsy may be done.
Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:2410.
Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Orlando, Fl: Churchill Livingstone; 2005.
Review Date:4/12/2007
Reviewed By:Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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