Purpura is purple-colored spots and patches that occur on the skin, and in mucus membranes, including the lining of the mouth.
Considerations
Purpura occurs when small blood vessels leak blood under the skin.
Purpura measure between 4 and 10 mm (millimeters) in diameter. When purpura spots are less than 4 mm in diameter, they are called petechiae. Purpura spots larger than 1 cm (centimeter) are called ecchymoses.
Platelets help the blood clot. A person with purpura may have a normal platelet count (non-thrombocytopenic purpuras) or a low platelet counts (thrombocytopenic purpuras).
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider for an appointment if you have signs of purpura.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
The provider will examine your skin and ask about your medical history and symptoms, including:
- Is this the first time you have had such spots?
- When did they develop?
- What color are they?
- Do they look like bruises?
- What medicines do you take?
- What other medical problems have you had?
- Does anyone in your family have similar spots?
- What other symptoms do you have?
A skin biopsy may be done. Blood and urine tests may be ordered to determine the cause of the purpura.
Alternative Names
Blood spots; Skin hemorrhages
Images
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the lower legs
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's foot
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on an infant's legs
Henoch-Schonlein purpura on the legs
Meningococcemia on the calves
Meningococcemia on the leg
Rocky mountain spotted fever on the foot
Meningococcemia associated purpura
References
Dinulos JGH. Principles of diagnosis and anatomy. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 1.
Kitchens CS. Purpura and other hematovascular disorders. In: Kitchens CS, Kessler CM, Konkle BA, Streiff MB, Garcia DA, eds. Consultative Hemostasis and Thrombosis. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 10.
Review Date 6/7/2023
Updated by: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.