Purpura, also known as skin haemorrhages, are purple spots or patches on the skin and in the mouth and throat mucus membranes. This condition occurs when the small blood vessels leak blood under the skin's surface. Purpura causes do not indicate a medical condition but a physical sign of an underlying condition causing the bleeding. It can also occur from other conditions, such as drug interactions, vitamin deficiencies, or congenital disorders.
What are the Causes of Purpura?
The reasons for purpura depend on the type. One is non-thrombocytopenic purpura, which suggests normal platelet levels in the blood, while the other is thrombocytopenic purpura, which indicates a lower-than-normal platelet count.
The common causes of thrombocytopenic purpura are drugs or medications that affect platelet functioning and immune-related disorders such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) or immune thrombocytopenia.
The other causes of thrombocytopenic purpura can be viral infections such as Rubella and Epstein-Barr or HIV, hepatitis C, etc. It can also be caused by bacterial infection from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever following a bite by a tick infected with rickettsia group bacteria. Furthermore, lupus and bone marrow disease can also be reasons behind thrombocytopenic purpura.
The common causes of non-thrombocytopenic purpura are the use of drugs or steroids affecting platelet functioning or clotting, blood clotting disorders, weakened blood vessels, congenital conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos, cytomegalovirus (CMV), vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation), and vitamin C deficiency.
Conclusion
Purpura is characterised by purple patches on the skin caused by blood leaking from the small blood vessels. It is not a medical condition per se and is often harmless but can indicate some abnormalities or an underlying medical condition, such as immune disorders cited above and infections. Doctors usually diagnose purpura through a physical examination and a review of a patient's medical history. The human body is prone to uncountable illnesses that can sometimes be life-threatening. Hence, the best option is to secure health insurance to be safe and able to access medical help during times of need. It can indeed be a friend in need!