There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Show From Mayo Clinic to your inboxSign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. A petechia, (plural Petechiae) refers to a small red or purple pin point dot on the body, due to broken capillary blood vessels. Events that cause an increase in pressure, such as coughing or vomiting can cause petechiae around the face or eyes. Minor trauma is another common cause of petechiae. In general, petechiae are commonly seen and usually of no concern. If blood collects under the tissues, and reaches a centimeter or more in diameter, the area is now referred to as a purpura. An even larger area is called an ecchymosis (known as the common bruise). However, petechiae represent bleeding into the skin or mucous membranes and may be due to a cause that is reversible. Thus if you or your child have any petechiae, you should seek your local health professional, to see if there are any reversible causes. StatisticsPetechiae are commonly found within the population, due to events that occur every day and from minor trauma. However, they are more commonly found in patients with underlying disorders involving the platelets – a cell which helps us stop bleeding when we are cut, and also in patients with problems with coagulation factors (substances in the blood which help change blood from a liquid to solid state). The presence of petechiae usually warrants further investigation if no readily identifiable cause is present. They may be more commonly found in the elderly and in children, due to conditions such as injury, trauma, aging skin and from bacterial infections affecting the body. Risk FactorsThere are certain factors that can predispose someone to developing petechiae. Events such as lifting heavy objects can lead to petechiae on the shoulders. However, petechiae are a sign of low platelet counts and other disorders of coagulation. They may be a symptom of septicaemia, which manifests as an illness with fever. This is important to rule out in children, especially if due to menigococcus – a causative agent of meningococcal septicaemia. Other common predisposing factors include:
ProgressionMost petechiae will resolve on their own, if there is no underlying disorder. SymptomsWhen you visit the doctor, he or she may ask the following questions, as necessary, to try and identify the most likely diagnosis and cause for your symptoms.
Get on top of your general healthFind and instantly book affordable GPs within Australia Find GPs in Australia Clinical ExaminationWhen your doctor examines you, he or she may look for the following characteristics. Petechiae are red due to the blood that has leaked out from the capillaries into the surrounding skin. Clinically, petechiae are small dots, the size of pin heads in the skin ( Often petechiae are found in areas of increased pressure, such as the feet and ankles. They are not present on the soles of the feet because these vessels are protected by surrounding fatty tissue. Petechiae that appear during an illness with a fever may suggest the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, such as Meningococcus, which causes meningococcal disease. How is it DiagnosedDiagnosis of petechiae is primarily dependent on the history and clinical examination. The doctor may decide to do some blood tests, including:
PrognosisIf you are affected by petechiae, your outcome depends on the underlying cause of the petechiae. In most cases, they will be due to trauma, increased pressure or another easily reversible/preventable cause, and your petechiae will resolve spontaneously, on their own. In other cases, the outcome depends on treating the underlying cause. For example – if you have a disorder affecting the platelets (eg – Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura) you may need treatment with plasma exchange therapy. Bleeding disorders involving platelets, and other clotting factors will need replacement of the deficient blood component. TreatmentTreatment of petechiae should be directed at the underlying cause. If a person has petechiae due to low platelet levels or clotting factors, the treatment would be a transfusion of platelets or other blood factors. A patient with petechiae due to injury or trauma doesn’t need any specific treatment for the petechiae, but the injury itself should be treated. Applying cold packs or ice after the injury may help reduce swelling and prevent further petechiae. These petechiae will fade with time. For aging skin, skin protection is recommended. Trauma such as bumping or pulling on skin areas should be avoided. If a person has leukaemia or cancer, they need specific radiotherapy, chemotherapy or hormone treatment. Prompt treatment targeted at specific infections will help prevent septicaemia and the development of petechiae. References
All content and media on the HealthEngine Blog is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the nearest hospital emergency department, or call the emergency services immediately. What is it called when capillaries burst?Ecchymosis (ehk-ih-MO-sis) is when multiple blood vessels very close together burst, resulting in pooled blood just under your skin's surface. Ecchymosis looks like a bruise, but it's not always related to an injury. Hematomas occur when larger blood vessels burst, resulting in pooled blood. Most hematomas are minor.
What are little red spots called?Petechiae are pinpoint, round spots that appear on the skin as a result of bleeding. The bleeding causes the petechiae to appear red, brown or purple.
What causes rupture of capillaries?Blood vessels can burst for many reasons, but it usually happens as a result of an injury. Bleeding into the skin can appear as small dots, called petechiae, or in larger, flat patches, called purpura.
What is it called when capillaries tear under the skin?Purpura form when tiny blood vessels called capillaries burst and leak, causing blood to pool beneath the skin. They are also known as blood spots or skin hemorrhages.
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