Information On Capillary Fragility - Capillaritis, Purpura

Capillary is the smallest type of blood vessel in the vascular system. Capillaries connect the smallest arteries with the smallest veins; most are so narrow that only one blood cell can pass along them at a time. The capillary wall is the conduit for material passing from an artery to a vein. The function of capillaries is to carry oxygen-rich blood to the tissues, to pass food substances to tissue cells, and to carry away waste products, such as carbon dioxide.

Capillaritis is the name given to a harmless skin condition in which there are reddish-brown patches caused by leaky capillaries. It is also known as pigmented purpura.

Purpura is a skin discoloration caused by bleeding (hemorrhage) under the skin. A small hemorrhage is called a petechia and a large one, as in a bruise, is called an ecchymosis. Purpura may result from trauma, from fragility of the blood vessels, or from clotting disorders.

Fragility of the blood vessels usually is inherited, although it seldom is serious. In a more serious inherited form of the disorder, a condition known as telangiectasia, there are obvious abnormalities of the blood vessels in the lips, mouth, and fingers.

There is no known cure for most cases of capillaritis. It can disappear within a few weeks, recur from time to time, or frequently persist for years.

Consider if a medication could be the cause: discontinue it for several months to find out if the capillaritis improves. Try avoiding food preservatives and artificial coloring agents. Return to a normal diet if there is no improvement after several months. Topical steroids can be helpful for itching but rarely clear the capillaritis. If the lower leg is affected, consider wearing graduated compression elastic hose. Currently available lasers are not particularly helpful for this condition.

Prolonged treatment with drugs such as aspirin and cortisone may also result in purpura. Scurvy (caused by lack of vitamin C) is another disorder that causes purpura. A rare, but serious, cause of purpura is Henoch-Schenlein purpura, which may follow an upper respiratory tract infection that damages the blood vessels.

PCOs are believed to improve capillary stability, and are used for venous insufficiency, liver cirrhosis, diabetic retinopathy, postsurgical lymphedema, postoperative facial edema, sports injury related edema, repeated ecchymoses, and purpuric syndromes.

PCOs are a variety of flavonoid-like Supplements/Proanthocyanidins.html">proanthocyanidins found in numerous plants. Some of the most abundant sources are grape seeds and maritime pine bark. Other food sources include hawthorn flowers, various berries, onions, legumes, red wine, and parsley, and related chemicals are found in bilberry. Collectively, they are known as procyanidolic oligomers. Recent in vitro studies suggest that grape seed PCOs possess superior antioxidant activity to vitamin C or vitamin E. This antioxidant effect occurs in both polar and nonpolar media, giving PCOs a certain functional similarity to lipoic acid. In Europe, PCOs are widely used to treat conditions believed to be related to increased capillary fragility. These include venous insufficiency (varicose veins and hemorrhoids), other unsightly superficial blood vessels, easy bruising, edema of various causes, and diabetic retinopathy. PCOs are also used for aging skin, Macular Degeneration, allergic rhinitis, and Atherosclerosis. Additionally, they are promoted as general antioxidants.

Discuss It!

Helen Bernat said:

why do i persistintly get this on my forearms after a mild abrasionn?

rachael said:

I get capillaritis in my lower legs. it happen's whenever I go in the sun. I wear sun cream but still appears. Why is that?

Natalie said:

I have had it on my left forearm for three years and now have it on the back of my right thigh. The dermatologist didn't know what it was and told me to use hydrocortisone but that didn't help at all. I called a new dermatologist and now have to wait 5 months till I can get an appointment so am searching the internet for my own answers. I am pregnant so am going to talk to my OB to make sure it's not something I need to be concerned about in regards to my pregnancy.

Vanessa said:

I have it all over my legs, between my thighs, on my abdomen and on the insides of my arms. Dr. did a biopsy of it, said it was capillaritis... but just said to take 2000 mg of vit. C and one aspirin a day to help thin my blood. Who knows if it will work!

imho said:

IF you have capillaritis, you may have capillary fragility. IF your capillaries are fragile, you might want to rethink aspirin. Aspirin is salicylic acid which breaks up the epidermis, including, I would think, the lining of capillaries.

Stasi said:

I have just been diagonsed by my dermatologist that I have capillaritis on most parts of my body, including forearms, inner thighs, lower back and torso. I have been using cortisone cream and I am on my 3rd repeat but it does not go away. I have had since 2006 since my dad past away. Does anyone have any suggestions on any proper treatment and how it came about in the first place? My next option is to see a naturopath this coming Friday.

Tom said:

I recently was diagnosed with Capillaritis. It usually occurs on the lower half of my body with some cases on my arms. I have been prescribed Flucinonide .05%. It has worked very well and knocked out all signs of it in about 1-2 weeks.

none Ya said:

I have A research project and I was wondering how much scapPilaties ate in our Body

lynne said:

Rutin vitiamin cured mine.