Why does petechiae occur

Both petechiae and purpura clusters tend to have rash-like appearances. Though the spots are often flat, they can be slightly raised.

There are three types of purpura and petechiae:. A wide range of factors can cause purpura and petechiae to develop, such as:. Several autoimmune conditions or health issues that cause irregular bleeding or affect blood clotting can cause purpura and petechiae. Among them are:. Many other medical conditions that can cause blood vessels to burst or leak can also cause purpura and petechiae, including:.

Infections can also cause blood vessel damage and lead to purpura and petechiae. Some of these infections and pathogens include:. The key to treating purpura and petechiae is to address the underlying cause. This treatment may involve:. Purpura or petechiae resulting from minor injury often do not require medical attention, as they usually heal on their own. If there is pain or swelling, the following may help:. Unexplained rashes of any kind require medical attention, especially in children.

Seeking emergency care is crucial if a child has an unexplained rash and a fever. People who develop purpura or petechiae along with additional symptoms should also contact a doctor. Both types of discoloration have associations with underlying health conditions, many of which require medical treatment.

Receiving a prompt diagnosis and treatment reduces the risk of serious complications. Purpura and petechiae are discolored spots on the skin that appear in rash-like clusters. Both result from blood vessels breaking and leaking.

If the number of spots increases, you might have a bleeding disorder. Your doctor may prescribe any of these medicines to treat the cause of the spots:. To prevent petechiae, you need to avoid the conditions that can cause them.

Your doctor will probably recommend that you avoid the drug in the future. When a blood vessel bursts, a small amount of blood escapes from the vessel into the body. This blood may show up just beneath the surface of the skin. If you have one of these rashes, you may have anemia. Here's how to recognize anemia rash and what you can do to treat it. See a black or blue patch on your skin? Learn about this common type of bruise and how make it heal faster.

A person with leukemia may experience rashes, bruising, and other skin symptoms. We explain why this happens and include pictures to help you identify…. Purpura refers to purple-colored spots that are most recognizable on the skin. Purpura spots, also called blood spots or skin hemorrhages, are…. Learn when and how the test is done. Strep throat is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications.

Learn how to avoid, recognize, and treat strep throat. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is most often seen in the southeastern United States. Here's what you need to know to prevent this tick-borne disease. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What Causes Petechiae? Medically reviewed by Elaine K.

Luo, M. Pictures Causes When to call a doctor Complications Treatment Prevention We include products we think are useful for our readers. Overview Petechiae are tiny purple, red, or brown spots on the skin. Petechiae pictures. Causes of petechiae. Find out what to do in case of hemorrhage, or bleeding. Discover how to recognize a medical emergency, the complications, and more.

Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs are a type of medication that is used to eliminate or reduce the risk of blood clots by helping prevent or break…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

When to See a Doctor About Petechiae. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. When to see a doctor Serious conditions Non-serious conditions Importance of treatment Treatment options Takeaway You may notice red, brown, or purple spots on your skin and wonder the cause.

When to see a doctor. Serious conditions. Meningitis This infection affects your brain and spinal cord and can be very serious. Some other symptoms include fever, a stiff neck, vomiting, and headaches. Leukemia This is a type of cancer that affects your blood as well as your bone marrow.

Other symptoms may include weight loss, fever, swollen lymph nodes, bruising, and nosebleeds. Thrombocytopenia This condition occurs when your blood platelets decrease.

Children often have immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Symptoms include bruising and bleeding in the mouth and nose. Other symptoms include abdominal pain, kidney inflammation, and arthritis. You may experience changes to your blood pressure as well as your breathing. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever You may get this bacterial infection from a tick bite. Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Bennett JE, et al. The acutely ill patient with fever and rash. Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed March 10, Hoffman R, et al. Clinical approach to the patient with bleeding or bruising. In: Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice.

Streptococcal pharyngitis strep adult and pediatric. Rochester, Minn. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; Ely JW, et al. The generalized rash: Part 1. Differential diagnosis. American Family Physician.