Purpura is a dermatological manifestation characterized by the presence of purple or red discolorations on the skin. It arises due to extravasation of blood from small blood vessels, particularly capillaries, into the surrounding tissues. The condition is typically caused by the disruption of vascular integrity, leading to bleeding and subsequent accumulation of erythrocytes in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue.

This module is a point-form summary of coagulation principles, different morphologies of purpura and various purpura syndromes.

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1. Bolognia, J., Cerroni, L., & Schaffer, J. V. (2018). Dermatology.
2. Kang, S., Amagai, M., Bruckner, A. L., Enk, A.H., Margolis, D. J., McMichael, A. J., Orringer, J.S. (2019). Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology 9th edition.
3. Photo courtesy of DermNet NZ.