Purpura is skin and mucous membranes coloration, which occurs due to penetration of vessel wall by erythrocytes. In cases when the formed colored areas are small they are called petechiae and if their diameter becomes larger then 3 mm ecchymosis. If the amount of blood under the skin is severe, a hematoma is formed. Petechias at the beginning are brightly red in color, however with time they become brown.

Purpura is a non-specific symptom which can be a result of a number of disorders:

The condition may be caused by the following:

• Primary and secondary thrombocytopenic purpura
• Toxico-allergic hemocoagulation disorder
• Blood congestion
• Pathology of the coagulative chain of homeostasis
• Vessel wall pathology

Most frequently purpura affects lower extremities. Due to hemoglobin catabolism purpura changes color with time. Starting from the color of formal blood elements red or vinous to purple, brown and green of the 7-th -10-th day to yellow, the color of bilirubin. Opposed to erythema the hemorrhagic patches do not disappear when pressure is applied to them.