Actinic Purpura
Aka: Actinic Purpura, Senile Purpura, Solar Purpura, Bateman Disease
II. Epidemiology
- Occurs equally in men and women
- Prevalence
- Age 60-70 years old: 2%
- Age 90-100 years old: 25%
III. History
- First described by Bateman in 1818
IV. Pathophysiology
- Chronic Sun Exposure resulting in dermal connective tissue damage
- Solar Purpura refers to acute Purpura after Sun Exposure, while actinic and Senile Purpura refer to chronic Purpura
V. Risk Factors
- Advancing age
- Sun Damaged Skin
- Aspirin, NSAIDs or Anticoagulant use
VI. Signs
- Dark purple patches and Ecchymosis on sun exposed skin
- Distribution (common)
- Dorsal hands
- Extensor Forearms
- Timing
- Lesions spontaneously resolve within 2 weeks (prolonged to 3 weeks in impaired phagocyte activity)
VII. Management
- Sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection
- Medications that have been used for Actinic Purpura
- Retinol
- Alpha hydroxy Acids
- Arnica Oil
- Ceramides
- Niacinamide (Niacin, Vitamin B3)
- Phytonadione (Vitamin K1)
- Combination product
- Moisturizing Bruise Product (DerMend)
VIII. Complications
- Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
IX. References
- Email communication with Joe Weidner, MD, received 10/3/2018
- Ceilley (2017) J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 10(6): 44-50 [PubMed]