What Causes Purplish Mottling On The Arm Of A Child?

Posted on Wed, 6 Sep 2023

Question: My 19 month old has a mottled looking left arm. It gets purple in colour when she is cold. It’s been this way for months, she is otherwise healthy

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Could have an allergic and immunological component. Not concerning.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I have checked the attached image. It seems that the mottled appearance could have an underlying allergic cause which could involve an elevation of serum IgE. It could, however, have an underlying viral cause. You may give some antiallergic like Cetirizine Drops (or possibly better ones like Atarax (hydroxizine) which is a prescription medicine). You also need to apply some emollient like calamine lotion or some moisturizer like aloe vera lotion over those areas.

It could be due to underlying immature blood vessels but if that is the case it is unlikely to have shown up suddenly at 19 months of age.

It might take a few days to recover and so you need to be patient.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Diptanshu Das, Pediatrician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (10 hours later)

It has been that way for at least 6 months?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not a cause for concern.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

In that case, your doctor is right that it is due to the distribution of immature blood vessels. It is not a cause for concern.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr. Diptanshu Das, Pediatrician

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj