Is purpura itchy?
Disease description:
Recently, many purple spots have suddenly appeared on my legs. They are not raised but look alarming. Occasionally, they feel slightly painful when lightly touched, but they do not itch. Could this be purpura? How serious is it?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wenmin
In general, purpura itself does not directly cause noticeable itching. If skin itching occurs, prompt medical consultation is recommended to determine the cause and implement appropriate treatment measures.
Purpura is a condition characterized by bleeding under the skin and mucous membranes, typically appearing as purple or red spots of varying sizes. These spots form due to increased fragility of blood vessel walls, platelet dysfunction, or reduced platelet count, which leads to blood leakage into the skin and tissues. Purpura itself is not accompanied by itching.
However, purpura may be accompanied by other skin symptoms such as rashes or papules. These skin manifestations may cause mild itching during the resolution phase, but this is not directly caused by purpura itself. Additionally, patients with purpura may have weakened immune systems due to their condition, increasing the risk of skin infections, which can lead to skin inflammation and subsequent itching.
In daily life, patients should maintain clean and dry skin and avoid using harsh skincare products to minimize skin irritation and damage.
