Lupus Site - a guide for lupus patients and their families

Black & blue marks that appear as blotches under the skin may result from abnormal blood coagulation in patients with active lupus.

Purpura is the term for this phenomenon. If the purpura is small & feels markedly different from normal skin when touched without looking, this may be a warning sign of active systemic vasculitis or low platelet counts (called thrombocytopenic purpura).

An ecchymosis is a spot caused by loss of blood from a vessel, forming an irregular, blue or purplish patch. It has a more diffuse border than purpura.

Black & blue marks that cannot be felt may result from the use of NSAIDs or steroids.

Purpura