What are the fading purple-like patches that appear on arms and legs?

Hi,

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I have gone through the pictures and reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Your mother's condition seems to be senile purpura. Senile purpura is a common benign condition characterized by the recurrent formation of purple ecchymoses (bruises) on the extensor surfaces of forearms following minor trauma. It is basically a defect, not a disease. It occurs due to minor trauma or a blood thinner agent. It may also occur because of aging and photodamage. The dermal tissues become thin and increase the fragility of blood vessels. As a result of which superficial vessels tear and rupture even with negligible trauma. Since this is a benign condition and self-resolving condition, you have to protect your mother from sunlight and minor trauma. She can use broad-spectrum sunscreen like Suncros Soft SPF 50+ over photo-exposed areas. She can also apply topical steroids like Mometasone twice daily for four to five days to achieve faster recovery and tablet Vitamin C once daily for a week.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. Since I have already enumerated the causes of senile purpura like aging and photodamage, it is not necessary that patient must have all of them. Even a trivial trauma which patient may not be remembering can cause such kind of ecchymosis. To be on the safer side, get coagulation profile of your mother and must discuss these ecchymosed patches with treating physician.