Purpura simplex

Overview

A condition characterized by a tendency to bruise easily due to fragile blood vessels. A bruise may appear even if the person has not knowingly bumped that area. The condition is quite common but more prevalent in women than men. It is generally not considered as a serious condition as it is not associated with any other bleeding problems.

Symptoms

* Bruises * Bruising easily * Thigh bruise * Buttock bruise * Upper arm bruising * Normal platelet levels * Normal blood clotting

Causes

* Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis –A necrotizing vasculitis of small vessels –Fever, malaise, fatigue and arthralgias –Inciting factors include drugs (e.g., NSAIDs, thaizides, and phenothiazines), infection [bacterial (e.g., RMSF, meningococcemia) or viral (e.g., hepatitis)] or, blood abnormalities (e.g., cryoglobulinemia, cryofibrinogenemia) –Vasculitic injury to kidneys, brain, lung, heart, and GI tract may occur * Collagen vascular diseases –Systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis * Granulomatous vasculitis (e.g., Wegener's, Churg-Strauss syndrome) * Polyarteritis nodosa * Internal malignancies –Myeloma, lymphoma, or leukemia * Henoch-Schönlein purpura * Drugs –Aspirin, NSAIDs, warfarin, heparin * Nonpalpable purpura (flat macules, patches similar to ecchymoses; or petechiae that do not blanch with pressure) * Trauma * Advancing age (senile purpura) * Actinic changes * Chronic stasis * Coagulopathies (affecting platelet number or function) –TTP (pentad of fever, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, renal insufficiency, and neurologic signs) –ITP –Drug-induced thrombocytopenia –Bacteremia and many viral diseases * Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) can cause hemorrhage and purpura * TORCH infection can cause congenital purpura (“blueberry muffin baby”) * Many systemic diseases (e.g., Cushing's and diabetes have associated nonpalpable purpura)

Diagnosis

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Purpura simplex includes: * Platelet tests * Blood clotting tests