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Petechiae are pinpoint, spherical spots that seem on the skin as a results of bleeding. The bleeding causes the petechiae to look red, brown or purple. Petechiae (puh-TEE-kee-ee) normally seem in clusters and should appear as if a rash. sometimes flat to the touch, petechiae do not lose color after you press on them. generally they appear on the inner surfaces of the mouth or the eyelids.
There are several conditions during which petechiae could also be seen. These conditions vary from terribly minor to terribly major. The common causes of petechiae include local injury and trauma, allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, viral infections that impair blood coagulation (clotting), thrombocythemia (an abnormally low blood platelet level), certain medical treatments like radiation and therapy, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), leukemia and different bone marrow malignancies that will lower the quantity of platelets, and sepsis (bloodstream infection). Petechiae are normally seen right after birth within the newborn and after violent vomiting or coughing. medication like the anticoagulants warfarin (Coumadin) or heparin, aspirin, and cortisone may cause petechiae.
Symptoms of Petechiae
Well, symptoms rely upon the underlying condition additionally to this petechial spots or rash. Infectious conditions are accompanied by fever, malaise, and flu-like symptoms. There are some other manifestations of the actual system concerned by the infection.
The petechiae initially is red in color. It seems within the kind of individual blotches within the preliminary stages. With the passage of time, they coalescence together and then seem as a rash. The petechiae are flat spots that change their color as the time passes.
It is a requirement that you see your health care professional promptly just in case you or a family member develops petechia. It’s very important to establish the cause, given that some underlying setbacks are often probably grave.
Special Characteristics of Petechiae
There are certain options specific to petechiae that facilitate their earlier detection and differentiate them from different rashes and spots.
Causes of Petechiae
Tiny blood vessels (capillaries) link the tiniest elements of your arteries to the tiniest elements of your veins. Petechiae appear once capillaries bleed, leaking blood into the skin. a number of things will cause this injury, including:
- Prolonged straining
- Certain medical conditions
- Specific sorts of injuries
- Medications
- Injuries and sunburn
Prolonged straining
Tiny petechiae of the face, neck and chest are often caused by prolonged straining during activities such as:
- Crying
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Childbirth
- Weightlifting
Certain medications
Petechiae might result from taking some sorts of medications, including:
- Anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin)
- Atropine (Atropen)
- Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol, others)
- Chloral hydrate (Somnote)
- Desipramine (Norpramin)
- Indomethacin (Indocin)
- Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn)
- Nitrofurantoin (Furadantin, Macrobid, Macrodantin)
- Penicillin
- Quinine (Qualaquin)
Infectious diseases
Petechiae is also caused by any of variety of fungal, viral and microorganism infections, including:
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection
- Endocarditis
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
- Meningococcemia
- Mononucleosis
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Scarlet fever
- Sepsis an overwhelming bloodstream infection that uses up neutrophils quicker than they’ll be made
- Strep throat
- Viral hemorrhagic fevers
Other medical conditions
Petechiae might also be caused by noninfectious medical conditions. Examples include:
- Vasculitis
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
- Leukemia
- Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency)
- Vitamin K deficiency
Size of Petechiae
The size of petechiae isn’t more than a 3mm. These are the tiny hemorrhagic spots. These are sometimes zero.5 to 1 mm in diameter. Larger type of petechiae measuring greater than three millimeter is termed as purpura.
Location of Petechiae
Petechiae will seem anywhere on our body however the actual space where it’s normally seen include the legs, face, ankles, back, thigh and shoulders.
Colour of the Petechiae
Usually the initial color of the petechiae is red. It seems in the type of a rash. Then it turns to bluish or purplish. Ultimately, its color turns to dark purple or blue.
