Senile purpura causes ecchymoses and results from increased vessel fragility due to connective tissue damage to the dermis caused by chronic sun exposure, aging, and drugs.

Senile purpura typically affects elderly patients as their dermal tissues atrophy and blood vessels become more fragile. Patients develop persistent dark purple ecchymoses, which are characteristically confined to the extensor surfaces of the hands and forearms. New lesions appear without known trauma and then resolve over several days, leaving a brownish discoloration caused by deposits of hemosiderin. This discoloration may clear over weeks to months or may be permanent. The skin and subcutaneous tissue of the involved area often appear thinned and atrophic. Drugs (eg, corticosteroids, warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel) may exacerbate the ecchymoses. No treatment hastens lesion resolution or is needed. Although cosmetically displeasing, the disorder has no health consequences and does not herald severe bleeding elsewhere.

Last full review/revision October 2012 by David J. Kuter