[81bs] Senile Purpura (ecchymosis) [LifeExtension, Books, Links, Images, Wikipedia]. Since this results from collagen loss, and vitamin C is used in collagen synthesis [Links, nuskin article], perhaps it could be treated with Vitamin C in combination with bioflavonoids, taken orally or also from a vitamin C skin cream. Another approach is to use Bilberry capsules [LifeExtension, Links, Wikipedia]. Bilberry strengthens capillary walls and veinous walls in general, and may be useful for treating senile purpura. A typical cruel prescription these days with senile purpura is "wait and see", and it is often listed as primarily a concern of embalmers.
"Progressive loss of collagen in the dermis and vascular wall may lead to characteristic lesions of old age - senile purpura. The purpura usually occurs on the dorsum side of the hands and the wrists and on the forearms. The lesions may be quite large and are well-demarcated. The skin is very thin, the dorsal veins have fragile walls, and venipuncture may result in rapidly spreading purpura. The lesions resolve slowly. No specific treatment exists..... Purpura due to damage of the vessel wall of the terminal vessels are seen in several metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, vitamin C deficiency (scurvy), Cushing's syndrome following corticosteroid therapy, and uremia. Paraproteinemias and amyloidosis may also lead to purpura." - from Modern Hematology: Biology and Clinical Management by R. Munker, E. Hiller, and R. Paquette.
"Bioflavonoids and ascorbic acid have been shown to increase capillary resistance and to mediate potent antioxidative radical scavenging activities.... We evaluated the clinical effect of oral bioflavonoids and ascorbic acid in patients with chronic progressive pigmented purpura (PPP)... In an open pilot study, oral rutoside (50 mg twice a day) and ascorbic acid (500 mg twice a day) were administered to 3 patients with chronic PPP. RESULTS: At the end of the 4-week treatment period, complete clearance of the skin lesions was achieved in all 3 patients. No adverse reactions were noted. All patients remained free of lesions at the end of 3 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a beneficial effect of bioflavonoids in combination with ascorbic acid on PPP. " - from Life Extension Magazine, 2000.
Other papers show that treatment of purpura with vitamin C alone, without bioflavonoids, is often disappointing by comparison. Apples, bilberries, blueberries or other fruit might be used to supply the additional bioflavonoids.