What term describes an affection characterized by hemorrhage into the skin?

The term that describes an affection characterized by hemorrhage into the skin is "purpura." Purpura refers to purple or red spots on the skin that result from bleeding underneath the skin, particularly due to small blood vessel leakage. This condition can be indicative of various medical issues, such as clotting disorders or infections, and generally appears in larger areas compared to petechiae, which are smaller pinpoint spots.

Purpura is distinct because it encompasses a broader range of bleeding than other terms related to skin hemorrhages. Ecchymosis refers specifically to larger bruises or discolorations that result from the escape of blood into tissues but is often used interchangeably with purpura. Petechiae are even smaller, pinpoint-sized red or purple spots that occur from minor bleeding, usually from capillaries. Hematomas, on the other hand, are localized collections of blood outside of blood vessels, usually associated with more significant trauma or injury and can manifest as a lump beneath the skin.

Hence, purpura is the most accurate term to describe a condition that features hemorrhaging into the skin in a visible way.