Purpura or bruising (Q59839)

Purpura is a non-blanchable multifocal purple skin discolouration due to bleeding into the skin and manifested as petechiae (pinpoint foci of intradermal haemorrhage) and ecchymoses (larger areas of intradermal haemorrhage). It has many causes and may be the presenting sign of diseases as diverse as thrombocytopenia, primary amyloidosis, meningococcal septicaemia and scurvy. It will often be accompanied by haemorrhage into the subcutaneous tissues (spontaneous bruising or haematoma).