Purpura are purple, red or brown colored patches that appear on the skin, organs and mucous membranes. Purpura occurs when blood leaks from the small blood vessels. Platelets, a type of blood cell responsible for clotting, are often a factor in the occurrence of purpura. There are many different types of conditions that can cause purpura.
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia is a condition of a low number of platelets in the blood. Normally there are between 150,000 and 450,000 plates per microliter of blood, according to the Mayo Clinic. When levels fall below this, the blood does not clot effectively, causing vessels to leak.
Thrombocytopenia can be caused by an enlarged spleen which can accumulate platelets, reducing the number in circulation. New platelets are produced in the bone marrow, so conditions affecting the bone marrow such as leukemia can inhibit the production of new platelets, resulting in thrombocytopenia.
When the platelet levels falls below 10,000 per microliter serious and potentially fatal internal bleeding can occur, according to the doctors at the Mayo Clinic.
Henoch Schönlein
Henoch Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a disease that most commonly occurs in children ages 2 to 11. The exact cause of the disease is unknown; however, it often occurs following an infection such as a cold or other upper respiratory infection. In HSP the blood vessels leak due to inflammation. Other symptoms of HSP include abdominal pain, joint pain similar to arthritis and blood in the urine. There is no specific treatment for HSP; according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, it typically resolves in four to six weeks.
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, also known as TTP, is a rare blood disorder that may be inherited or occur as a result of chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, cancer or hormone replacement therapy. This condition is caused by a deficiency of an enzyme that is necessary for appropriate clotting of the blood. A lack of this enzyme causes blood to clot which forces platelets to aggregate, reducing the number circulating in the blood, leading to leaky vessels and purpura.
Scurvy
Scurvy is a condition caused by a severe deficiency in ascorbic acid, more commonly known as vitamin C. A prolonged vitamin C deficiency interferes with the production of collagen which is the main protein in the connective tissues in muscles, skin, tendons and cartilage. Scurvy causes bleeding gums, bleeding in the joints, purpura and, if left untreated, can lead to serious heart complications that can result in death.
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