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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Small Flat, Purplish Spot , Sore To Touch On The Arm?

I have a small, flat, purplish spot on my arm. It is slightly sore to the touch, What do you think this is? I have thin skin (age 62) and have often had these little spots, but I don t remember one being this ugly. This one is a little than half the size of a dime.
Sat, 8 Feb 2014
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hi. Thanks for posting your concern at HCM

I would keep a possibility of bruise/ecchymosis which might have arisen after minor trauma Or insidiously due to scratching. At the age of 62 years, skin becomes becomes thin and atrophic due to loss of collagen and elastin which form the framework of dermis and also support the small capillaries in the dermis. Thus loss of collagen and elastin weakens the dermis and the support that it provides to the capillary walls thus leaving the capillaries prone to fragility secondary to even minor trauma of scratching thus leading to bruising(senile purpura).

The bruise will usually recover by itself within a few days. I prefer to give oral Vit C to my patients to hasten the recovery.

regards
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What Causes Small Flat, Purplish Spot , Sore To Touch On The Arm?

Hi. Thanks for posting your concern at HCM I would keep a possibility of bruise/ecchymosis which might have arisen after minor trauma Or insidiously due to scratching. At the age of 62 years, skin becomes becomes thin and atrophic due to loss of collagen and elastin which form the framework of dermis and also support the small capillaries in the dermis. Thus loss of collagen and elastin weakens the dermis and the support that it provides to the capillary walls thus leaving the capillaries prone to fragility secondary to even minor trauma of scratching thus leading to bruising(senile purpura). The bruise will usually recover by itself within a few days. I prefer to give oral Vit C to my patients to hasten the recovery. regards