Why do I have purpura on my feet?

Why do I have purpura on my feet?

They happen when small blood vessels leak blood under your skin’s surface. Purpura isn’t a medical condition but a sign of another condition causing the bleeding. Purpura can also be caused by drug interactions, vitamin deficiencies or congenital disorders. There are many different types of purpura.

What can cause a Purpuric rash?

Those that cause purpuric rashes include meningococcal septicaemia, streptococcal septicaemia and diphtheria. Several acute viral infections also cause purpuric rashes. These include smallpox, chickenpox, measles, parvovirus B19 and haemorrhagic fevers caused by Ebola virus, Rift Valley virus and Lassa fever.

What causes petechial rash on feet?

Causes of petechiae. Petechiae are formed when tiny blood vessels called capillaries break open. When these blood vessels break, blood leaks into your skin. Infections and reactions to medications are two common causes of petechiae.

How can you tell the difference between a rash and a purpura?

The most obvious difference involves size: petechiae are smaller than 2 mm, while purpura are larger. Purpura may be petechiae that have spread and joined together, forming larger areas of discoloration. Both petechiae and purpura clusters tend to have rash-like appearances.

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 purpura just be one spot?

Sometimes the spots can appear on mucous membranes, for instance, inside the mouth. Purpura tends to occur in clusters that are found in a single area or cover a large portion of the body.

When should I be concerned about purpura?

Patients who experience purpura with any of the following symptoms should seek medical treatment: low platelet count, which may lead to increased bleeding after an injury, bleeding gums or nose, or blood in urine or bowel movements. sore, swollen joints, particularly in the ankles and knees.

Can purpura be benign?

Purpura occurs when small blood vessels burst, causing blood to pool under the skin. This can create purple spots on the skin that range in size from small dots to large patches. Purpura spots are generally benign, but may indicate a more serious medical condition, such as a blood clotting disorder.

How is purpura treated?

You will need treatment if the disorder causing purpura doesn’t go away on its own. Treatments include medications and sometimes a splenectomy, or surgery to remove the spleen. You may also be asked to stop taking medications that impair platelet function, such as aspirin, blood thinners, and ibuprofen.