Generally these small red dots that suddenly show up and after that fix over 3-4 days are petechiae, which are small spots of identify bleeding from a capillary (very small blood vessel).
Causes
Usually they accompany an unexpected boost in pressure in the face/head like vomiting, or standing on your head, even “down dog” in yoga has actually been understand to cause these. They are most likely to occur when taking any medication that “thins” the blood that includes things like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), or Aleve, for example.
A petechia, plural petechiae, is a little (1 – 2 mm) red or purple spot on the skin, caused by a minor bleed from broken vessel capillary.
Petechia refers to among the three descriptive types of bleeding into the skin differentiated by size, the other two being purpura and ecchymosis. Petechiae are by definition less than 3 mm.
The term is often used in the plural, considering that a single sore is rarely seen or substantial.
What causes petechia?
- Coughing, holding breath, vomiting, weeping – The most typical reason for petechiae is through physical injury such as a hard bout of coughing, holding breath, vomiting or sobbing, which can lead to facial petechiae, specifically around the eyes. Such circumstances are safe and typically vanish within a few days.
- Tightness, Asphyxiation – Petechiae might likewise take place when excessive pressure is applied to tissue (e.g., when a tourniquet is applied to an extremity or with extreme coughing or vomiting).
- Sunburn, childbirth, weight-lifting
- Gua Sha, a Chinese treatment that scrapes the skin
- High-G training
If they persist, or take place more than seldom, it’s important to see your medical care doctor for a check up.
Diagnosis
To diagnose your condition, doctors will require a comprehensive history about your petechiae They will likewise perform a physical examination, looking at your skin from head to toe and possibly marking it. The exam will likewise check your heart, lungs, abdomen, and ears, nose and throat. Your doctor might do a neurological examination too.
Questions for detecting the reason for petechiae
Questions your doctor or certified health care practitioner may ask you related to your petechiae consist of:
- When did you first see the red dots?
- Where on your body do you have the red dots?
- Have you had any recent physical trauma, including vomiting or extreme crying?
- Have you had any other symptoms, consisting of fever, vomiting or cough? When did they start?
- Have you just recently had an upper breathing infection or a stomach influenza?
- Have you been around anybody who has been sick?
- Have you had any other problems with bleeding, such as bleeding gums or nosebleeds?
- What medications are you taking?
- What other medical conditions do you have?
- Have you had a meningococcal vaccine?
Your doctor will use the results of the test and your answers to these questions to decide if testing is essential. Different blood tests are at the core of diagnostic testing for petechiae. Blood tests might include:
- Blood culture to check for bacteria, especially meningococcal infection
- Clotting times to see if your blood clots generally or not
- Complete blood counts (CBC), which will show platelet levels, as well as white blood cell and red blood cell levels
- Electrolyte and chemistry panels
- Liver function tests since a healthy liver makes factors associated with blood clotting
A urinalysis to search for protein in the urine can likewise be practical in getting to a medical diagnosis. More screening could be necessary depending upon the results of these tests. This may involve invasive procedures, such as a bone marrow biopsy.
Treatment
In most cases, petechiae does not need treatment. Temporary causes, such as extreme weeping, will solve by themselves. Even petechiae rashes from some infections will solve with observation alone.
When treatment is required, it completely depends on the underlying cause. If medical professionals believe a meningococcal infection, they will start IV (intravenous) antibiotics immediately. This needs a medical facility admission. Other causes might also include hospitalization for professional consultation. Otherwise, your doctor might refer you to a specialist, such as a hematologist or oncologist for examination and treatment.
If petechiae is the outcome of a drug reaction, your doctor might stop or alter your medication.
Home Care
There is absolutely nothing specific you can do for the petechiae themselves after they develop. The dots (petechiae “rash”) will clear by themselves as soon as the underlying cause is no longer there.
If you tend to bruise easily, you can take actions to safeguard your skin. Safeguard yourself from injuries that cause bruising and bleeding by preventing bumping into objects or pulling on the skin. Sun exposure can worsen the changes that occur in aging and thinning skin, so use sunscreen and cover up when you are outdoors.
If you do bump into something or injure yourself, follow first aid for bruising or bleeding. For bruising, keep in mind RICE– rest, ice, compression and elevation. Icing the area right after you injure it can assist minimize bruising. Resting the area, using an elastic bandage, and raising the area will help recovery and decrease swelling.
For small bleeding, clean the injury and apply mild pressure with tidy gauze. When the bleeding has actually stopped, use antibiotic cream and a tidy bandage.
Potential Complications
Petechiae stemming from physical trauma ought to solve in a few days. Petechiae related to a hidden blood clotting disorder or other serious condition can be serious, and failure to seek treatment can result in serious complications and long-term damage.
When the underlying cause is detected, it is necessary for you to follow the treatment plan that you and your healthcare expert design specifically for you to reduce the risk of potential complications including:
- Chronic poisoning
- Intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding inside the skull or brain).
- Severe or unrestrained bleeding.
- Spread of infection.
Your doctor will use the outcomes of the test and your responses to these concerns to choose if screening is necessary. Numerous blood tests are at the core of diagnostic screening for petechiae. In many cases, petechiae does not need treatment. Even petechiae rashes from some infections will resolve with observation alone.
Otherwise, your doctor may refer you to a specialist, such as a hematologist or oncologist for examination and treatment.