Purpura Treatment at Palasia: Treated by Dr Akshay Lahoti at Medicare Hospital,Indore
What is Purpura?
Purpura is when small blood vessels burst under the skin, causing purple or red spots to appear. These spots don’t change colour when pressed and are usually harmless. However, they can sometimes indicate a serious health problem. Purpura can be as small as a pinhead (called petechiae) or larger (called ecchymosis).
You may have heard of bruises. Purpura looks similar, but it happens without an injury. Sometimes, purpura can show up on your skin, inside your mouth, or even on your internal organs.
Causes of Purpura
Blood cancer can cause several symptoms:
Low Platelet Count (Thrombocytopenia)
Platelets help your blood form a clot. Purpura can occur when your body's platelet count is low.
Viral Infections
Diseases like the flu, measles, or rubella can lead to purpura.
Medications
Some drugs, such as blood thinners, can make purpura appear.
Vitamin Deficiencies
A lack of vitamins, especially Vitamin C or K, can cause purpura.
Blood Disorders
Certain blood diseases like leukemia or lymphoma can result in purpura.
Autoimmune Diseases
Conditions like lupus can cause the body to attack its platelets, leading to purpura.
Types of Purpura
- Non-Thrombocytopenic Purpura: This type happens when the platelet count is normal. It is often caused by fragile blood vessels that break easily.
- Thrombocytopenic Purpura: This type occurs due to low platelet counts. One common example is Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), where the body’s immune system mistakenly destroys platelets.
Symptoms of Purpura
The main symptom of purpura is purple or red spots on the skin. Other signs can include:
Bleeding
You might bleed easily from the nose or gums.
Fatigue
Feeling more tired than usual can be a sign of underlying health problems related to purpura.
Bruising
You might notice that you bruise easily, even without bumping into anything.
Joint Pain
Sometimes, purpura can cause pain in your joints, especially in children with Henoch-Schoenlein Purpura (HSP).
Risk Factors
These risk factors include:
- Age: Older persons have more weak blood vessels, making them prone to purpura.
- Medication Use: People who use blood thinners or steroids are at an increased risk.
- Autoimmune Diseases: Lupus patients are more likely to develop purpura.
- Infections: Purpura can occur as a result of viral or bacterial diseases.
Is Purpura a Common Disease?
Purpura itself is relatively common, especially in older adults or those who take certain medications. However, it is less common in children, except in cases like Henoch-Schoenlein Purpura (HSP), which mainly affects kids.
Some types of purpura, like Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), are rare but can be severe
Complications of Purpura
Purpura is usually not dangerous on its own, but it can lead to complications if it’s a sign of a more serious health problem. Some complications include:
Severe Bleeding
In cases where the platelet count is very low, internal bleeding can occur.
Anemia
If you lose too much blood, it can lead to anemia, which makes you feel weak and tired.
Infections
If purpura is caused by a disease, it can spread and lead to more serious issues.
Kidney Damage
Some types of purpura, like Henoch-Schönlein Purpura, can cause kidney problems.
When to See a doctor
- Spots that spread quickly.
- Bleeding that won't stop.
- Fever, especially in a child with purpura.
- Sudden fatigue or dizziness.
Treatment of Purpura
- For Non-Thrombocytopenic Purpura:
- Usually, no treatment is needed, especially if the cause is mild, like a viral infection.
- A doctor may suggest taking vitamin C to improve blood vessels.
- For Thrombocytopenic Purpura:
- Medications: Steroids are often used to boost platelet counts.
- IV Immunoglobulin: This can be given to help improve platelet levels.
- Surgery: In extreme cases, if the spleen is destroying too many platelets, it may be removed.
3.Managing Underlying Causes:
- If purpura is caused by a medication, your doctor may switch your prescription.
- If the purpura is caused by an autoimmune disease, treatments like immunosuppressants may be necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Treatment depends on the cause. Sometimes purpura goes away on its own. If it’s caused by a problem with your blood, the doctor might give you medicines or suggest other treatments
Most of the time, purpura is not dangerous. But if you have other symptoms like easy bruising, bleeding, or feeling very tired, it’s important to see a hematologist Doctor in Indore to make sure everything is okay.
Yes, in some cases, purpura can be caused by blood cancer. If you’re concerned, it's important to visit the best doctor for blood cancer in Indore at Medicare Hospital to get checked.
If you see purpura or unusual spots on your skin, visit a hematologist doctor at Palasia to understand the cause and get the right treatment.
Yes, purpura can sometimes go away without treatment, especially if it’s caused by a mild infection or injury. However, if the spots don’t disappear or if you have other symptoms, it's best to visit a hematologist Doctor in Indore for a checkup.