Solar Purpura

Diagnosis: Solar Purpura

Solar Purpura

Clinical Presentation

Solar Purpura

Clinical History

Submitted by Ellie Goulding MD. Originally posted January 23, 2017.

Treatment

See case discussion.

Differential Diagnosis

• Thrombocytopenic purpura • Anticoagulant-induced purpura • Vasculitis • Steroid-induced purpura • Pigmented purpuric dermatosis • Scurvy • Senile purpura

Key Learnings

• Also called actinic purpura or senile purpura (Bateman purpura) • Dark purple ecchymoses on sun-damaged skin of forearms and dorsal hands • Caused by dermal atrophy and loss of perivascular connective tissue support from chronic UV exposure and aging • NOT a coagulation disorder — platelet count and coagulation studies are normal • Worsened by: anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, topical/systemic corticosteroids • Self-limited — heals with residual brown discoloration (hemosiderin) • No treatment needed — cosmetic concern

Tags: solar, purpura, ellie goulding md