blood vessels

I was at the dermatolgist yesterday and he said that I have pigmented penpuna(sp) anyways it is real red and they are little
dots all over the front of my legs.  The Doctor said that this is going to stay red and then get dark brown.  I would like you to explain this to me and is there anything that I could do to prevent this from happening anymore?  I have Lupus-is this what comes with it??  If I am in the sun can this get worse???  I use a sun screen always. I also have a rash on my chest and back which the doctor gave me cream for-it's different from the legs.

Thanks for your time.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Sherry:

Pigmented purpura (bruising) is an unimportant skin change fairly common on women's legs.  It has nothing to do with lupus or any other systemic process.  Sun is not bad for it.  Cause is unknown, and treatment unavailable.  Sometimes it goes away, but it takes a while.

Good luck.

Dr. Rockoff