Purpura

Purpura, also known as purple spots, is characterized clinically by blood spilling beneath the skin or mucous membranes, presenting as petechiae and ecchymoses that do not fade upon pressure. This disease mostly occurs in school-age children and is commonly seen in Western medicine conditions such as thrombocytopenic purpura and allergic purpura. The onset is relatively acute, with purpura recurring and possibly occurring on the skin and mucous membranes of all parts of the body. The skin lesions vary in form, from pinpoint-sized to large ecchymoses or hematomas, and may also merge into patches. The color of the skin lesions is initially light red or bright red, does not fade upon pressure, and after several days turns to light purple or light blue and gradually subsides. In acute onset, it is often accompanied by epistaxis, gingival bleeding, hematochezia, hematuria, or vomiting, abdominal pain, joint swelling and pain, and other symptoms. Clinical manifestations include bleeding spots, purpura, and ecchymoses, generally not elevated above the skin surface; only in allergic purpura may they be slightly raised. Initially purplish-red and not fading upon pressure, they gradually become lighter and turn yellow and subside after about two weeks. Purpura is the most common clinical manifestation of hemorrhagic diseases.