Purple patches on the skin

The skin is one of the most important organs in the human body. Skin diseases are also a disease with a relatively high incidence in recent years. Many people develop purple patches on their skin due to skin sensitivity or viral infections. In fact, the skin is relatively fragile, especially in summer, we must do a good job of protecting the skin, so as to prevent allergies. So, what exactly are those purple patches on your skin? Next, follow the editor to learn more about it in detail.

【1】Purple spots on the skin

[concept]

Purpura of the skin, referred to as "purpura" or "purple disease on the upper part and spots on the lower part". Purple changes in the form of dots or patches on the skin, which are spread flat on the skin and do not bother the touch, are collectively called purpura.

This disease has many names in classical medical books. During the Qin and Han Dynasties, it was collectively called "nosebleed"; during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, it was called "spot poison"; during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was called "purple spot". According to the cause and pathogenesis, it can be divided into two categories: "yang spots" and "yin spots"; there are also different names depending on the location of the disease and the color. For example, "blue-purple spots" and "purpura" are mentioned in "The Authentic Book of Surgery"; "Blue-legged tooth carbuncle" is mentioned in "The Golden Mirror of Medical Ancestral"; "Purple marks" and "blue marks" are mentioned in "Correcting Errors in Medicine".

[II] [Identification]

Common symptoms

Purple spots due to blood heat: belong to the category of "yang spots", which are more common in adolescents. They occur suddenly and the purple spots are not located in a fixed place. They are more common on the extended side of both legs and appear symmetrically. Sometimes there is mild itching and the color does not fade when pressed. Sometimes they can slightly protrude from the surface of the skin and be the size of millet grains, elm seeds or coins, or they can be connected into pieces. It disappears after about two to three weeks, but can often recur in batches. Accompanied by fever, irritability, sore throat, thirst, fatigue, red tongue with thin yellow coating, and slippery or fine pulse. In severe cases, the body may be covered with purple patches, the legs may be bruised and swollen, the gums may be eroded, and the bleeding may not stop.

Purple spots caused by damp heat: belong to the category of "yang spots" and are common in young women. It is often seen on the calves or thighs and is purple or purple-red in color. There is a plum pit-sized nodule, which is painful to touch and may be slightly swollen around it. After the nodule disappears, no trace is left. Or there may be joint pain, heaviness and sluggishness of limbs, difficulty in flexion and extension, a sticky feeling in the mouth, uncomfortable bowel movements, and sticky and smelly vaginal discharge in women. The tongue is red with yellow and greasy coating, and the pulse is slippery and rapid.

Purple spots caused by spleen failure: belong to the category of "yin spots". The disease has a long course, with repeated attacks and dark purple and flat skin lesions. Accompanied by sallow or pale complexion, poor appetite, fatigue, shortness of breath and laziness to speak. It may also be accompanied by epistaxis, bloody stool, and metrorrhagia in women. The tongue is pale and dull, the pulse is thin and weak, especially the Guan pulse.

Purple spots due to spleen and kidney yang deficiency belong to the category of "yin spots". Purple spots appear repeatedly, mostly on the lower limbs. They are the size of elm seeds or millet grains, light in color and do not merge with each other. Accompanied by cold limbs and aversion to cold, loose stools, diarrhea at dawn, sallow complexion, cold extremities, dull pain in the abdomen, preference for warmth and pressure, neutral mouth, and clear and long urine. The symptoms worsen after being cold or tired, the tongue becomes pale and the pulse becomes deep and thready.