Red or Purple Spots on the Skin
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Skin petechiae are small flat red purple marks that appear due to inflammation of blood vessels in the skin.

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Dark purple rash on lower limbs

• Recent weight loss

• Difficulty breathing / breathlessness

• Violaceous / purpuric rash

• Easy bruising

• Swelling of the affected area

• Vomiting of blood

• Melena (black stools)

• Gross hematuria

Generally, Red or purple spots on the skin can be related to:

• IgA Vasculitis (Henoch-Schonlein Purpura)

  A disease that causes inflammation and bleeding of small blood vessels, commonly affecting the skin, joints, intestines, and kidneys. This can lead to rashes, stomach pain, and kidney damage. Though it can affect anyone, it is more common in children under 10 years old. The cause is not well understood, but it may result from an immune system issue.

• von Willebrand Disease (vWD)

  von Willebrand disease (vWD) is a common genetic blood disorder that impairs blood clotting leading to excess bleeding. In people with vWD, a protein called von Willebrand factor that is critical to blood clotting either does not function properly or is insufficient. As a result, people with vWD bleed more easily.

• Vasculitis Syndrome (Including Cryoglobulinemia)

  A condition where the body's immune system attacks blood vessels throughout the body, causing inflammation. The vasculitis can impede blood flow and cause tissue or organ damage. There are many different types of vasculitis, each with its own triggers including infection, medications, and cancers.

• Purpura Pigmentosa
• Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura
• Sjogren Syndrome

• Acquired Hemophilia

• Congenital Hemophilia

Sometimes, Red or purple spots on the skin may be related to these serious diseases:

• Adrenal Insufficiency (e.g. Addison Disease)

  The adrenal gland is an organ that releases hormones to control blood pressure and metabolism. In this condition, there are low hormone levels, and the causes include damage to the adrenal glands themselves or parts of the brain that control the adrenal gland. It can present with darkened areas of skin, extreme loss of body water, also known as dehydration, fatigue, weight loss that doesn't happen on purpose, nausea, vomiting or belly pain, lightheadedness or fainting, salt cravings, muscle or joint pains.

• Splenic Infarction