$Unique_ID{BRK01156}
$Pretitle{Ill Defined Symptoms and Rare Diseases, Circulatory System}
$Title{Where do "Devil's Pinches" Come From?}
$Subject{bruise devil's pinch}
$Volume{N-20, G-20}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Where do "Devil's Pinches" Come From?


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QUESTION:  My girl friend who constantly shows up at work with bruises on her
arms, claims it is a serious condition known as "Devil's Pinches".  Is there
any cure known for this condition, and where does it come from?

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ANSWER:  Your girl friend is not telling all.  Devil's pinches are also known
as "factitious purpura" and are bruises, often painful, which seem to recur
over and over again.  If you look up the word "factitious" (don't bother I did
it for you), you will find it defined as "artificial, not natural" and the
word is used in medicine to describe wounds, bruises or rashes that are self
inflicted.  To be fair to your girlfriend, she may be unaware that she is
causing these bruises by her own actions.  The diagnosis can be put to the
test by covering an area where bruising is now occurring with a plaster cast,
and finding no bruises there when the cast is removed after a time, though
unprotected areas still show the marks.  Blood tests are all normal in these
cases which are difficult to treat, requiring psychotherapy, since the patient
may convert to another type of activity, once the cause of these bruises is
revealed.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
