Abstract

Pigmented purpuric dermatosis (also known as "progressive pigmentary dermatosis," "purpura pigmentosa chronica," "pigmentary purpuric eruptions," or "progressive pigmenting purpura" or "Schamberg's disease") refers to one of the three major classes of skin conditions characterized by purpuric skin eruptions.

Pigmented purpuric dermatosis are distinguished from other purpura by size (0.3–1 cm) and are most often seen in the lower extremities. Pigmentary purpuric eruptions may present with one of several clinical patterns. There may be overlapping characteristics among pigmented purpuric dermatosis and between their signs and those of other purpuric eruptions. Examples of the pigmented purpuric dermatosis group include:

Although vascular damage may be present, it is insufficient for these conditions to be considered forms of vasculitis.