Petechia is a tiny purplish red spot on
the skin caused by capillary bleeding in
the skin.
The most common cause of petechia is
through physical trauma such as a hard
bout of coughing, vomiting or crying which
can result in facial petechiae, especially
around the eyes. Petechias, in this
instance, are completely harmless and
usually disappear within a few days.
Petechia may be a sign of thrombocytopenia
(low platelet counts). They may also occur
in circumstances when platelet function is
inhibited (e.g., as a side effect of
medications or during certain infections)
or when excessive pressure is applied to
tissue (e.g., when a tourniquet is applied
to an extremity or with excessive
coughing).
If unsure, petechia should always be
quickly investigated. They can be
interpreted as vasculitis, an inflammation
of the blood vessels, which requires
immediate treatment to prevent permanent
damage. Certain malignancies can also
cause petechia to appear.
You may want to consult a dermatologist
because he can more easily identify if the
condition is petechiae or a similar
looking but less worrisome rash.
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