Petechiae are small bleeding areas that appear as tiny, round spots on the skin, usually purple or blue in color. They can be caused by various conditions, including trauma, allergies, autoimmune diseases, liver disease, infections, or leukemia. Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Medical tests may be necessary to determine the cause, and in some cases, treatment may involve stopping or changing medications or treating an underlying cancer.
Petechiae refer to small areas where broken capillary veins bleed into the skin layers. These small bleeding areas show up as tiny, round spots, which are the size and shape of a dot. Generally, petechiae are purple or blue in color and are flat. Although they usually appear on the lower legs, they can show up on any part of the body. Typically, petechiae are not painful, nor do they itch. They can be caused by a number of conditions, some more serious than others.
Common causes include trauma or injury to the skin, allergic reactions, and autoimmune conditions. Also, the condition can result from liver disease, infections, or leukemia. A condition called thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder in which the number of platelets in the blood is deficient, may also be a factor in this condition. Sometimes, medications such as blood thinners can contribute to skin petechiae. Medications such as aspirin also inhibit platelet aggregation, which causes the blood to thin and promote bleeding into the skin.
Typically, when an individual has symptoms, their doctor may ask them a series of questions to determine the underlying cause. Common questions include when the spots were first noticed and whether the patient has been ill recently. Also, the healthcare professional will ask what medications the patient is receiving and what pre-existing medical conditions he or she has. If the patient has sustained an injury to the area, they should also report this to their doctor.
If a patient has symptoms of petechiae, their doctor may order medical tests to make a correct diagnosis. Common tests include a complete blood count, a bleeding time blood test, and a clotting time blood test. These tests are invaluable in determining whether a patient’s blood clots normally and within a normal amount of time. Sometimes, if the patient’s blood work is abnormal, a bone marrow test or biopsy may be done to further evaluate the cause.
Treatment for petechiae depends on what’s causing the condition. If the condition is caused by an injury, no treatment will be needed, as the marks will fade over time as the injury heals. If the condition is related to a drug reaction, your doctor may choose to stop or change your drug. Sometimes bleeding into the skin is related to a malignant tumor, such as leukemia. In cases where cancer is the cause, treating the cancer with chemotherapy agents or radiation can eliminate the petechial rash.
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