Question: What Are Purple Spots On Elderly Skin?
This age-related condition is called actinic purpura. Also known as senile purpura,12 solar purpura,13 traumatic purpura, and Bateman’s disease,14 it is characterized by unsightly ecchymoses and purple patches on the arms or legs of elderly persons caused by blood extravasation following minor trauma.
What causes purple spots on elderly skin?
Aging skin is thought to be the most common cause of senile purpura. As the body ages, the skin becomes thinner and more delicate. Over time, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays weakens the connective tissues that hold the blood vessels in their place.
What purpura looks like?
Purpura is characterized by small purple spots on the skin, typically 4-10 millimeters in diameter. Some people develop larger patches of 1 centimeter or greater. These are called ecchymoses. Sometimes the spots can appear on mucous membranes, for instance, inside the mouth.
How do I get rid of senile purpura?
A new experimental oral medication known as Purpurex (New Vitality) is effective in improving and even clearing the appearance of senile purpura, while helping to prevent new lesions from occurring, according to a recent study.
What does actinic purpura look like?
What are the signs and symptoms of actinic purpura? Macules and patches are lesions seen in actinic purpura that appear dark purple on the skin and are irregularly shaped. Some lesions are darker than others because of their longer duration.
How long do purpura spots last?
Most purpuric lesions last between one and three weeks, though the discoloration may be permanent after they fade. You can talk to your dermatologist about how to reduce their appearance.
Does Purpura go away on its own?
Purpura or petechiae resulting from minor injury often do not require medical attention, as they usually heal on their own. If there is pain or swelling, the following may help: taking over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
What kind of doctor should I see for purpura?
Understanding Purpura Begins With A Professional Dermatologist.
What drugs can cause purpura?
Other drugs associated with drug purpura include the following:
- Antibiotics (eg, cephalosporins, rifampicin)
- Gold salts.
- Analgesics.
- Neuroleptics.
- Diuretics.
- Antihypertensives.
Can purpura be caused by stress?
Psychogenic purpura (also referred to as Gardner-Diamond syndrome, autoerythrocyte sensitization, or painful bruising syndrome) is a rare and poorly understood clinical presentation in which patients develop unexplained painful bruises, mostly on the extremities and/or face, during times of stress.
What is the difference between purpura and senile purpura?
Purpura refers to purplish cutaneous or mucosal lesions caused by hemorrhage. Small lesions (< 2 mm) are termed petechiae, and large lesions are termed ecchymoses or bruises. Senile purpura typically affects older patients as their dermal tissues atrophy and blood vessels become more fragile.
What is often the cause of senile purpura?
What causes senile purpura? The most common factor that most directly affects the development of senile purpura is thin, easily damaged skin. Sun damage over a long period of time can also play a role in developing senile purpura, as this can weaken our connective tissues over time.
What vitamin is lacking when you bruise easily?
Low on Vitamin C This essential vitamin helps make collagen, an important protein that keeps your blood vessels healthy. If you don’t get enough vitamin C in your diet, you may notice that you bruise easily.
How do you get rid of blood bruising under the skin?
Home Treatment
- Rest and protect a bruised area.
- Ice will reduce pain and swelling.
- Compression, or wrapping the bruised area with an elastic bandage (such as an Ace wrap), will help decrease swelling.
- Elevate the bruised area on pillows while applying ice and anytime you are sitting or lying down.
What is the difference between purpura and petechiae?
Petechiae are small (1–3 mm), red, nonblanching macular lesions caused by intradermal capillary bleeding (Figure 181-1). Purpura are larger, typically raised lesions resulting from bleeding within the skin (Figures 181-2 and 181-3).
Can you get senile purpura on legs?
Also known as senile purpura,12 solar purpura,13 traumatic purpura, and Bateman’s disease,14 it is characterized by unsightly ecchymoses and purple patches on the arms or legs of elderly persons caused by blood extravasation following minor trauma.