DOC I HAVE PURPURA
Purpura is a physical sign of escape of red blood cells through the endometrial wall of the dermal capillaries resulting in purplish blotches under the skin.
What is the cause of Purpura?
It is usually due to vacular wall defect, low platelets, infections or injury:
Vascular wall defect may be caused by:
1.Scurvy or lack of vitamin C
2.Fragilty of vascular wall due to age(senile purpura, anemia, diabetes or steroid therapy
3.Autoimmune disease such as Henoch Schonlein purpura
4.Blood cancer such as multiple myeloma
Infections:
1.Dengue fever - cause low platelets
2.Subacute bacterial endocarditis - cause low platelets
3.Typhoid fever
4.Rocky mountain fever
Low Platelets:
1.Aplastic anemia - low production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets from marrow
2.Megaloblastic anemia
3.Leukemia
4.Exposure to toxic drugs (chemotherapy) or radiation
5.Splenomegaly
6.Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
7.Lymphoma
8.Neonatal thromocytopenia
9.Drug induced thrombocytopenia
Others:
1.Injury
2.Trauma
3.Burns
4.Dialysis
5.Blood thinners such as aspirin, warfarin, plavix
3.alcohol
What are the symptoms of Purpura?
Symptoms:
1.typical purple blotches under the skin
2.fever with purpura is a medical emergency
3.fundoscopic bleeding
4.abdominal pain may be a recurring symptom
5.splenomegaly
6.low platelets
7.bleeding time prolonged
How do you made the diagnosis of Purpura?
Diagnosis of Purpura is often based on
1. history of Purpura
2. history of drug allergy
3. history of blood thinners
4. Full blood count
5. Bone marrow biopsy
What are the complications of Purpura?
The complications of Purpura are:
1. Anemia
2. damage to liver , spleen and nerves
What is the treatment of Purpura?
Treat the underlying cause:
1.Blood transfusion of platelets in severe cases
2.Antibiotics for infections
3.Avoid causative agents especially drugs, vitamin deficiency,renal disease,radiation
4.corticosteroids is useful in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
5.Splenectomy may be helpful
What is the prognosis of Purpura?
Prognosis depends on the cause of Purpura.
Patients with blood cancer has a poorer prognosis compared to injury.
Purpura is a physical sign of escape of red blood cells through the endometrial wall of the dermal capillaries resulting in purplish blotches under the skin.
What is the cause of Purpura?
It is usually due to vacular wall defect, low platelets, infections or injury:
Vascular wall defect may be caused by:
1.Scurvy or lack of vitamin C
2.Fragilty of vascular wall due to age(senile purpura, anemia, diabetes or steroid therapy
3.Autoimmune disease such as Henoch Schonlein purpura
4.Blood cancer such as multiple myeloma
Infections:
1.Dengue fever - cause low platelets
2.Subacute bacterial endocarditis - cause low platelets
3.Typhoid fever
4.Rocky mountain fever
Low Platelets:
1.Aplastic anemia - low production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets from marrow
2.Megaloblastic anemia
3.Leukemia
4.Exposure to toxic drugs (chemotherapy) or radiation
5.Splenomegaly
6.Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
7.Lymphoma
8.Neonatal thromocytopenia
9.Drug induced thrombocytopenia
Others:
1.Injury
2.Trauma
3.Burns
4.Dialysis
5.Blood thinners such as aspirin, warfarin, plavix
3.alcohol
What are the symptoms of Purpura?
Symptoms:
1.typical purple blotches under the skin
2.fever with purpura is a medical emergency
3.fundoscopic bleeding
4.abdominal pain may be a recurring symptom
5.splenomegaly
6.low platelets
7.bleeding time prolonged
How do you made the diagnosis of Purpura?
Diagnosis of Purpura is often based on
1. history of Purpura
2. history of drug allergy
3. history of blood thinners
4. Full blood count
5. Bone marrow biopsy
What are the complications of Purpura?
The complications of Purpura are:
1. Anemia
2. damage to liver , spleen and nerves
What is the treatment of Purpura?
Treat the underlying cause:
1.Blood transfusion of platelets in severe cases
2.Antibiotics for infections
3.Avoid causative agents especially drugs, vitamin deficiency,renal disease,radiation
4.corticosteroids is useful in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
5.Splenectomy may be helpful
What is the prognosis of Purpura?
Prognosis depends on the cause of Purpura.
Patients with blood cancer has a poorer prognosis compared to injury.
