palpable purpura palpable purpura palpable purpura is a condition where purpura, which constitutes visible non-blanching hemorrhages, are raised and able to be touched or felt upon palpation. it indicates some sort of vasculitis secondary to a serious disease. not to be confused with erythema annulare centrifugum. causes rocky mountain spotted fever acute meningococcemia disseminated gonococcal infection ecthyma gangrenosum henoch–schönlein purpura eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis polyarteritis nodosa leucocytoclastic vasculitis microscopic polyangiitis mixed essential cryoglobulinemia subacute bacterial endocarditis diagnosis identification of underlying cause. treatment treat the underlying disease.