If you thought it was hives but saw red spots, could it be 'Purpura'?

Hello, this is Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic. # If you thought it was hives but saw red spots, could it be 'Purpura'? Have you ever been surprised by sudden red spots or patches on your skin? At first, you might think it's hives or an allergic reaction and expect it to go away over time. However, if these red spots do not disappear no matter how much time passes, and instead increase or are accompanied by other symptoms, it may not be a simple skin problem. In particular, many people who visit the Incheon branch of Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic complaining, "I thought it was hives, why won't these red spots go away?" are diagnosed with 'Purpura'. 💡 **Key Answer** **Top 3 most common causes of 'Purpura' where red spots on the skin do not disappear:** ① Vascular inflammation due to immune system disturbance ② Onset after upper respiratory infection (such as a cold) ③ Overwork, stress, and poor lifestyle habits Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic solves the fundamental problems within the skin through 'gut detoxification' and 'immune modulation'. ### If you have red spots on your skin, why should you suspect 'Purpura'? Purpura is a general term for a condition where small blood vessels under the skin are damaged, causing bleeding and resulting in red or purple spots. Unlike general hives or skin rashes, purpura has a characteristic that the redness does not disappear even when pressed with a finger. This is because it is not a rash caused by vascular congestion, but an actual hemorrhage where blood has leaked out of the skin. Initially, it usually starts on the legs and feet, and as symptoms worsen, it can spread throughout the body such as the buttocks, abdomen, and arms, and the size of the spots can also grow. 'Purpura' is deeply related to the disturbance of the human immune system beyond a simple skin disease. In particular, 'allergic purpura' is classified as a type of autoimmune disease in which immune cells mistakenly recognize blood vessels as foreign substances and attack them. When external stimuli such as a cold, stress, or overwork are added in a weakened immune state, inflammation occurs in the blood vessels, which appears in the form of 'red spots'. ### How can Purpura be approached with Korean medicine treatment? Korean medicine treatment for purpura focuses on normalizing 'vasculitis' and 'immune function'. The core is to correct internal imbalances to improve blood circulation, strengthen blood vessel walls to prevent bleeding, and regulate hypersensitive immune responses. A clinical literature analysis study published in the Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology & Dermatology in 2019 reported trends in the therapeutic efficacy of Korean medicine for purpura and vasculitis. This study analyzed clinical literature on purpura and vasculitis published in Korea, and among a total of 24 patients whose detailed information could be confirmed, 16 patients (about 67%) showed symptom improvement within a treatment period of 3 months or less. In particular, improvement in patients' main symptoms began within 2 weeks in 2/3 of cases, and maximum treatment effect appeared within 1 month in about 2/3 of cases. The researchers concluded through these results that Korean medicine treatment shows positive responsiveness to purpura and vasculitis, and can be particularly effective in improving initial symptoms. Based on these data, Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic does not view 'purpura' simply as 'red spots' appearing on the skin's surface. Skin is like a mirror reflecting our body's internal state, and persistent red spots are important warning lights sent from within the body. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic finds the root cause of purpura in immune system disturbance, inflammation, and related 'gut function' problems. In particular, 'gut detoxification' is one of the important treatment principles of Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic. The gut is a core organ where about 70-75% of our body's immune cells exist, and when the 'gut barrier' is damaged, incompletely digested substances or harmful bacteria toxins can spread through the blood to the whole body and cause 'chronic inflammation'. These inflammatory responses can affect skin blood vessels and manifest as 'purpura'. Therefore, improving the gut environment, detoxifying harmful substances, and increasing 'immunity' are very important in treating 'inflammatory skin diseases' such as 'purpura'. At Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Incheon branch, we focus on restoring the balance of the immune system through complex Korean medicine treatments such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, and pharmacopuncture tailored to each patient's constitution and symptoms, smoothing blood circulation and enhancing 'skin regeneration'. Such treatment is becoming an effective alternative for many people looking for an 'Incheon skin Korean medicine clinic'. In addition, even if you suffer from other immune-related skin diseases such as 'atopic dermatitis' or 'hives', you can recover overall physical health through 'gut detoxification' treatment. ### Self-Diagnosis Checklist: Could it be Purpura? If 3 or more of the following items apply to you, we recommend visiting the 'Incheon Purpura Korean Medicine Clinic' for consultation for accurate diagnosis and treatment. * Red or purple spots appeared on the skin, but the color does not change even when pressed. * Spots appeared first on the lower body such as legs, feet, and buttocks. * Red spots began to appear after suffering from a cold or body ache. * Abdominal pain, joint pain, or hematuria symptoms appeared along with red spots. * Brown pigmentation remains on the skin even after spots disappear. * Symptoms tend to worsen when experiencing severe overwork, stress, or lack of sleep. * I previously had hives or allergy symptoms, but this time the pattern is different. **→ If 3 or more apply:** Purpura suspected stage. Immune system check and consideration of complex Korean medicine treatment are needed. **→ If 5 or more apply:** Immediate professional diagnosis and start of 'purpura treatment' are recommended. ### FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Purpura **Q. How long should purpura be treated?** A. The treatment period for purpura varies depending on the patient's symptom severity, onset cause, constitution, and immune status. Generally, symptom improvement can be expected within 2 weeks in the initial stage, and complete stabilization may take several months. **Q. Can purpura be treated with Korean medicine?** A. Yes, purpura is one of the diseases that respond well to Korean medicine treatment. Through herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, etc., it focuses on regulating the immune system, reducing blood vessel inflammation, and recovering the body's fundamental health to prevent recurrence. **Q. Can purpura heal naturally?** A. In the case of mild 'purpura', it may naturally improve over time, but if 'immune function' abnormality is the cause, it can recur chronically or cause complications such as abdominal pain or kidney involvement, making professional diagnosis and treatment important. **Q. Can purpura and hives appear together?** A. Rarely, the two symptoms may appear mixed, but purpura is a hemorrhagic spot caused by vasculitis, while hives are accompanied by temporary skin swelling and itching. Since the pathogenesis and patterns of the two diseases differ, accurate differential diagnosis is required. If you are worried because the red spots appearing on your skin do not disappear, do not suffer alone anymore. 'Purpura' is not a problem that can be solved by enduring it. You no longer need to ignore the body's signals sent for a long time. If you approach in the right direction, your body reacts faster than you think. Bring the symptoms you are experiencing as they are. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic will find the cause together. Where life blooms. Herbal medicine is Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic. Check symptoms similar to yours first through the AI consultation on the Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic website! This article is health information organized together by Dalimchae medical staff based on questions actually received often in the consultation room. Medical Supervision | Skin Disease Treatment Standard Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Incheon Branch Korean Medicine Doctor Yang Yuchan (Purpura Column)