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Suggest Treatment For Purpura
Question: I am an 80 year old female diagnosed with purpura about a week and a half ago. Blood work and urinalysis were done and the reports were that everything was in order (sugar was 5.8) and, at a second visit, a biopsy was taken but I don't have results yet. Meantime, a cream, Betamethasone Valerate (Betaderm 0.1%) was prescribed but has not helped. The rash became more severe, has deepened to a dark purple and the skin is hot and there is much pain involved. I've taken two 650 mg Tylenol. Could the problem have been caused by a reaction to the medications I am taking. My meds are warfarin for a/fib, toloxin, bisoprolol, lasex, and potassium. Supplements are a multivite, magnesium, vitamin D, B100 and calcium. The last ten days I have been taking 250 mg ampicillin for what the doctor said was an infection in one of my breasts. I've also lost 37 pounds being on a no carb diet, with a lot of green vegetables, and working out for an hour 3 times a week. Would the diet be an issue eating so many greens and being on warfarin? Is there anything else I can do to relieve the pain and something to treat the unsightliness of the rash? Could there be any complications? Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Purpura/ecchymosis to warfarin possibly
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic
I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your concern and I have understood it.
I would keep a possibility of senile purpura/ecchymosis. Significant points in your history are intake of anticoagulants like warfarin and normal urinalysis.
Warfarin makes you more prone to bleeding to even minor trauma like scratching/itching. You should have your dose of warfarin monitored. For that you could get INR checked by your treating doctor, if your INR is too high, you may experience bruising or you may be at increased risk of bleeding. In this case, your dose may need to be reduced.
>Do you have any history of Gum bleeding? Black/tarry stools? Nose bleeds?etc
It would be a great help if you can send me a clear picture(s) of the lesions so as to be able to help you better.
Along with close monitoring of warfarin dose, I would suggest you to take an Oral Vitamin C supplement once daily, for faster resolution of purpura/ecchymosis.
regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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