Purpura (patient information): Difference between revisions
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:*Meningococcemia | :*Meningococcemia | ||
== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Call your doctor for an appointment if you have signs of purpura. | |||
==Diagnosis== | |||
*Your doctor will examine your skin and ask you questions about your '''medical history and symptoms''', including: | *Your doctor will examine your skin and ask you questions about your '''medical history and symptoms''', including: | ||
:*Is this the first time you have had such spots? | :*Is this the first time you have had such spots? | ||
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*A '''skin biopsy''' may be done. | *A '''skin biopsy''' may be done. | ||
==Diseases with similar symptoms== | ==Diseases with similar symptoms== | ||
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*Platelets help the blood clot. A person with purpura may have normal platelet counts ('''nonthrombocytopenic purpuras''') or decreased platelet counts ('''thrombocytopenic purpuras'''). | *Platelets help the blood clot. A person with purpura may have normal platelet counts ('''nonthrombocytopenic purpuras''') or decreased platelet counts ('''thrombocytopenic purpuras'''). | ||
==Where to find medical care for Purpura== | ==Where to find medical care for Purpura?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Purpura}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Purpura] | [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Purpura}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Purpura] | ||
== | ==Source== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003232.htm | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003232.htm | ||
Revision as of 00:16, 30 July 2011
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Purpura (patient information) | |
ICD-10 | D69 |
---|---|
ICD-9 | 287 |
DiseasesDB | 25619 |
MedlinePlus | 003232 |
MeSH | D011693 |
Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.
Overview
Purpura is purple-colored spots and patches that occur on the skin, organs, and in mucus membranes, including the lining of the mouth.
What causes Purpura?
- Nonthrombocytopenic purpuras may be due to:
- Congenital cytomegalovirus
- Congenital rubella syndrome
- Drugs that affect platelet function
- Fragile blood vessels (senile purpura)
- Pressure changes that occur during vaginal childbirth
- Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis), such as Henoch-Schonlein purpura
- Thrombocytopenic purpura may be due to:
- Drugs that prevent platelets from forming
- Hemangioma
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- Immune neonatal thrombocytopenia (can occur in infants whose mothers have ITP)
- Meningococcemia
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your doctor for an appointment if you have signs of purpura.
Diagnosis
- Your doctor will examine your skin and ask you questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:
- Is this the first time you have had such spots?
- When did they develop?
- What color are they?
- Do they look like bruises?
- What medications do you take?
- What other medical problems have you had?
- Does anyone in your family have similar spots?
- What other symptoms do you have?
- A skin biopsy may be done.
Diseases with similar symptoms
- Purpura occurs when small blood vessels under the skin leak.
- When purpura spots are very small, they are called petechiae. Large purpura are called ecchymoses.
- Platelets help the blood clot. A person with purpura may have normal platelet counts (nonthrombocytopenic purpuras) or decreased platelet counts (thrombocytopenic purpuras).
Where to find medical care for Purpura?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Purpura