These spots of blood under the skin (purpura) are caused by
vasculitis. They do not turn white with pressure (non-blanchable).
In this particular case, the purpura are associated with an
underlying disorder affecting the structure of the blood vessel
walls (collagen-vascular disorder).
Review Date: 05/06/2011
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz.
Previously reviewed by Mark James Borigini, MD, Rheumatologist in
the Washington, DC Metro area. Review provided by VeriMed
Healthcare Network (5/31/2009).
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
