Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam
Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
My grandmother has purple spots on her legs and arms. It looks like senile purpura, but I cannot be sure. The one on her leg is much larger and seems to spread a little over the course of a few days. The one on the arm is small. She is taking calcium and vitamin D for her osteoporosis and I have given her some vitamin K2 and D3 drops as well from time to time. She is 85 years old.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I can understand your concern. According to your statement your grandmother have been suffering from purple spots on leg and arm with osteoporosis.
When small blood vessels are ruptured causing blood to pool under the skin and can create purple spots on the skin are known as purpura. Purpura may be resulted from illnesses such as bleeding disorder, recent history of blood transfusion, cancer, SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), infections like HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), hepatitis C, CMV (cytomegalovirus), EBV (Epstein Barr virus), etc.
It may also occur due to inflammation of blood vessels, blood stream infection, vitamin C deficiencies, medications like Heparin, Aspirin, Sulphonamide, steroid, chemotherapy, Digoxin, Hormone replacement therapy, etc. Purpura are usually benign and may resulted from above mentioned causes and it sizes can vary from small dots to large patches.
Senile purpura is benign which affects older people as their skin and underlying blood vessels become more fragile with aging and may bleed from minor trauma. The treatment depends on causes and most of the purpura does not need any treatment and dissolved over time. It may take 4 to 6 weeks to heal. The treatment are only needed for those which are not disappeared over time. You can use topical retinoids along with her current medications.
I want to add that according to the pictures (attachment removed to protect patient identity) that are shown here, your grandmother have been suffering from age-related senile purpura. Give her vitamin C and citrus foods like orange, lemon, etc., with application of sunscreen and sun-protective clothing along with previously mentioned medications.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
So in an elderly, the minor trauma while sleeping is the likely cause? She is going to get her blood check up.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, you are absolutely right. Your grandmother's purpura has been developed as her skin and underlying blood vessels become more fragile with age and photodamage can rupture and bleed from even with negligible trauma during sleeping or awakening.
In case of senile purpura usually no investigations are needed. As she has already done it is fine. Just continue the mentioned medications and measurements along with her current medications.
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Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)
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