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What Causes Purple Discolouration In The Index Finger?
Question: I have had a dark purple index finger for four days. Yesterday it faded to a pale brown just at the bottom of my finger. What could cause that. I did not injure myself at all.
Brief Answer:
Most likely a broken capillary
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The most likely cause of this is probably that a capillary in your finger broke, allowing blood to seep into the tissues. Blood contains pigments and these can make the tissue look red then dark purple or bluish then green and brown. Usually it's brownish as it's resolving.
Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels and are only the width of a red blood cell - very small.
It's possible that a capillary broke without you realizing it. This can happen occasionally without any significant injury. Even wrapping dental floss around your finger can do this. If you take aspirin or a blood thinner, it is even more likely to happen, but it can happen anyway.
As long as this isn't a regular occurrence it is not too concerning.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Most likely a broken capillary
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The most likely cause of this is probably that a capillary in your finger broke, allowing blood to seep into the tissues. Blood contains pigments and these can make the tissue look red then dark purple or bluish then green and brown. Usually it's brownish as it's resolving.
Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels and are only the width of a red blood cell - very small.
It's possible that a capillary broke without you realizing it. This can happen occasionally without any significant injury. Even wrapping dental floss around your finger can do this. If you take aspirin or a blood thinner, it is even more likely to happen, but it can happen anyway.
As long as this isn't a regular occurrence it is not too concerning.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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