Heights dermatology offers specialized skin care to the patients who present with actinic purpura in Houston. It is also referred to as senile purpura or purple skin spots; usually it occurs in elderly people and is characterized by bruiselike spots of dark appearance on the sun-exposed parts of the body like the hands and arms. Actinic purpura is not a deadly condition but it is alarming when one observes spots appearing suddenly or repeatedly on the skin.
What Is Actinic Purpura?
Actinic purpura is a skin disorder that is caused by chronic sun exposure and aging. With time, the skin becomes thin and weak, and the connective tissues holding the blood vessels become weak. This makes tiny blood vessels more likely to rupture, resulting in noticeable purple spots on skin of the elderly in Houston. These spots are also similar to bruises but do not result in serious trauma.
Causes of Actinic Purpura
Actinic purpura mainly occurs due to chronic sun exposure which enhances the progression of skin damage over time. Additional contributing factors are:
- Aging: As a person grows older, the skin becomes more fragile, losing its thickness and elasticity.
- Medications: Blood thinners, aspirin or corticosteroids may increase bruising.
- Actinic skin changes: The chronic UV damage gives rise to a weakened skin, thus increasing the probability of purple spots.
Fair-skinned people and those who have experienced sunburns before are particularly vulnerable to getting these sun damaged skin spots in Houston.
Symptoms of Actinic Purpura
Actinic purpura is most frequently manifested by:
- Large, irregularly shaped, purple, or reddish spots.
- Most commonly located in the forearms and hands, and sometimes in the legs.
- Spots that can take weeks before fading to a brownish tint.
- New spots that recur without apparent injury.
These spots are more common and slow to heal unlike normal bruises, an underlying symptom of the actinic skin changes in Houston patients.
Why See a Dermatologist?
Actinic purpura is usually harmless, but may signify severe sun-related skin damage. A dermatologist may assist in examining the state of your skin, eliminating other skin conditions, and give advice on how to avoid additional skin damage.
Take the Next Step for Actinic Purpura Treatment
When you or a loved one are noticing purple skin spots in older adults in Houston or other signs of actinic purpura, dermatology clinic in Houston is ready to assist you. Get an appointment with our professional team today and allow us to evaluate your skin with skillful and gentle care.
