Senile purpura

Two dermatologist said now it is called solar rather than senile. Senile sounds negative & ugly and solar due to being in the sun which causes it. I’m also told there is no cure but it will go away. It does NOT. However I just had a procedure in the hospital where pressure was put on my chest and now it’s all over my chest. I protect my legs & never do they see sun. I have large dark purple areas in the sock area going up my leg in smaller marks. It comes & goes. I cover my arms, legs & even my face (with sunscreen). I am told it is due to thin skin in the elderly (I hate that word also) and being in the sun. I take a blood thinner also. OTC products claiming to remove bruises do not work. I’ve tried them all.

@yellowfinch sorry but I do not agree it has anything to do with the sun. I get them in the winter just as much as in the summer. I have lupus and my skin is very sensitive to sun but I do not get purpura from sun!

If I went on a blood thinner I would have the same extent of purpura that you are describing. I keep declining blood thinners since my afib only happens once a year. When I hit 75 (in 2 years) I will get more pressure to do them.

I often have a lot on my forearms and backs of hands. They open and bleed and get on my sheets. I can't imagine being on a blood thinner but if you have to be....I can relate and am sorry you are going through this!

Hi
It's not from the sun . It's damage to the skin caused from the sun. Years of exposure. Its the same thing weather you call it solar purpura or senile purpura. That's what my dermatologist told me. The collagen is damaged from long term exposure to the sun. I don't take blood thinners and I have it bad right now.

Mine is from lack of estrogen from cancer meds. Basically these purpura happen from skin getting thinner with age, I have been told. MY cancer treatment eliminated estrogen and therefore thinned my skin early.

@yellowfinch sorry but I do not agree it has anything to do with the sun. I get them in the winter just as much as in the summer. I have lupus and my skin is very sensitive to sun but I do not get purpura from sun!

If I went on a blood thinner I would have the same extent of purpura that you are describing. I keep declining blood thinners since my afib only happens once a year. When I hit 75 (in 2 years) I will get more pressure to do them.

I often have a lot on my forearms and backs of hands. They open and bleed and get on my sheets. I can't imagine being on a blood thinner but if you have to be....I can relate and am sorry you are going through this!

The solar thing is just what the doctors said. I had a lot of pressure on my chest during a hospital procedure and now it is all over my chest. That was NOT solar. I am assuming it’s due to my thin skin & being on a blood thinner. I take it due to A-fib which causes strokes. My mom died of a stroke so I am concerned naturally. My legs haven't been in the sun but I have huge dark purple marks (bruises) above my ankles. I wish there were a cure!

I can’t remember exactly but I did not have it last summer @ 79 years old. If that light therapy works? Please share that & all about it. I’ve not heard of light therapy. Arnica doesn’t help me nor does vitamin C but people react differently to things. Good luck !!

I have senile purpura and the largish purple spots sometimes cover my forearms and even open and bleed. I do not believe there is anything that can be done other than to wear arm covers. Of course let us know of you find something that helps.