Why does a petechial rash appear and what complications can it cause? Causes of petechiae on hands.

Any rash on the skin should alert you. For example, a rash can occur during an enterovirus infection and go away quickly. Or it may be one of the symptoms of a deadly disease - meningitis. The presence of petechiae and purpura during infectious processes indicates the severity of the disease.

Petechiae appear on the skin as a result of capillary hemorrhages. And, if blood is found under the tissue in large areas, the process is called purpura.

Purpura is a pathological formation that has a purplish-red color and does not change when pressed. Rashes less than 1-2 cm in diameter are petechiae.

General views

Petechiae are a special case of purpura and have a round shape. Spots of a red or purple hue are formed as red blood cells exit the vascular bed into the space located between the tissues. They do not rise above the skin and cannot be identified by palpation.

Photo: petechiae

Petechiae on the skin, photos of which are presented, can be one of the informative signs of processes such as blood diseases, systemic autoimmune and infectious diseases. This type of rash can also appear after physical trauma or excessive pressure (squeezing) of the skin. Rare causes of petechiae are coughing and vomiting (especially in young children). Capillary hemorrhages appear around the eyes.

Locations: arms, legs, torso, face, mucous membrane of the eyes or oral cavity. Occurs in all age groups.

The appearance of purpura is a response to changes occurring in the body. Very often the cause is an insufficient number of platelets and a violation of blood clotting processes.

The purpuric rash is most often localized in the lower extremities.

The occurrence of petechiae and purpura may be associated with the appearance of a bacterial, fungal or viral infection: the presence of cytomegalovirus, meningococcus, manifestations of infectious mononucleosis, scarlet fever, septic processes.

Types of purpura

In medical practice, there are several varieties of this disease:

Formed when the total number of platelets decreases. There is both an independent disease and a symptom of another process. It is detected mainly in girls under 14 years of age.

The mechanism of development is associated with changes in the properties of platelets during infectious processes or the use of a number of medications. The platelets travel to the spleen and are destroyed there. The result is thrombocytopenia.

Bruises and petechiae appear on the skin from the slightest blow. An accompanying symptom may be: bleeding from the nose, on the gums, from the uterus.

The rash can change its color depending on the stage of the pathological process and the period of limitation: from red to purple, green or yellow (within 10 days after the first spot).

Thrombocytopenic purpura in children can become chronic (recurrent bleeding). The main type of therapy is resection of the spleen.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Caused by blood clots from certain medications, vaccinations, cancer, or meningococcal infection.

Main symptom complex:

• formation of petechiae and bruises;
• pain in the abdomen and head;
• vomiting and nausea;
• vision functions are impaired;
• mental and nervous system disorders.

With this disease, the vessels of the brain, kidneys, and liver are affected. The consequence of these processes is death.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura

Photo: Henoch-Schönlein purpura

An infectious process caused by viruses or bacteria, or the use of certain medications, can cause inflammatory processes in blood vessels. The first symptoms will be:

• finely spotted rashes;
• the temperature rises to low-grade levels;
• painful sensations in the joints, abdominal area;
• diarrhea.

Toxic purpura

It develops when taking medications that have a pathological effect on the blood: they greatly dilute it or, on the contrary, thicken it.

Allergic purpura

Occurs when allergies to food, medications, or chemicals occur.

Diseases and petechiae

The rash happens:

1. Primary.

   Goes away on its own

2. Secondary.

   Characterized by the penetration of blood clots into nearby tissues. Surgery is required to treat them

There is a relationship between the main symptoms, visual examination of the rash and the disease. They are discussed in the table:

Disease	Manifestation
Meningitis	The rash appears in the first 24 hours. It has the appearance of an irregular star and a pale tint. As the disease develops, it tends to merge and necrosis. Main localization: thighs, lower legs, buttocks, feet
Staphylococcal infection	Gram-positive cocci are found in purulent petechiae. During the septic process, the vessel wall becomes permeable under the influence of pathogenic toxins. Petechiae of a pinpoint nature appear on the skin, oral mucosa, and sclera.
Autoimmune diseases, vasculitis	At the initial stage, a rash appears on the upper and lower extremities. After 2-4 days, petechiae appear in all areas of the body and are accompanied by intoxication. After a couple of days, the rash goes away, areas of pigmentation remain, and the skin begins to peel off. With hemorrhagic vasculitis, petechiae, joint and abdominal pain appear
Entorovirus infection	Symptoms: fever, muscle pain, sore throat caused by the herpes virus, increased body temperature. They subside at the first appearance of characteristic rashes. The rash appears in the first 24 hours of the disease, after two days it disappears without a trace
Schamberg's disease	Men are most often affected. Petechiae are located symmetrically on the thighs and legs. At the beginning of the disease, the rash has a brown or brownish tint, but later becomes lighter. The disease is benign
Gonorrhea	Petechiae are located on the extremities furthest from the center of the body, above the large joints. Accompanied by characteristic symptoms: the urinary and reproductive systems, anorectal area, pharynx suffer

Symptoms

With the formation of petechiae and purpura on the skin The following symptoms may be observed:

• the formation of bubbles with escaping liquid, the formation of crusts;
• pain;
• formation of pustules;
• rashes can appear quickly and disappear just as quickly;
• peeling of the skin;
• edema formation.

Common symptoms include:

• loss of appetite;
• symptoms of respiratory disease;
• increased excitability and irritability (more often in childhood);
• painful sensations in the joints;
• redness of the mucous membrane of the eyes;
• runny nose and sneezing.

Rashes that are accompanied by the following symptoms require immediate medical attention:

• loss of consciousness;
• increase in body temperature to 38.5˚C and above;
• any type of bleeding;
• tachycardia;
• respiratory failure;
• symptoms of meningitis;
• an allergic reaction that may be accompanied by soft tissue swelling.

It should be remembered that neglecting your health can cost your life!

Diagnostics

If petechiae or purpura appear on the skin, you should consult a hematologist. He will conduct an external examination, collect an anamnesis of the disease and prescribe additional laboratory diagnostic methods. This will help establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.

During an external examination, it is important to pay attention to the location of the rash. Based on its location, a preliminary diagnosis can be made.

The main diagnostic methods include General blood test (thrombocytopenia, ESR/CRP, and leukocyte levels are most likely increased).

Additional methods include:

• a set of tests to assess liver function;
• blood test for urea levels, creatinine, electrolytes;
• study of coagulation indicators using a coagulogram;
• electrophoresis of blood plasma proteins to identify paraproteins.

Auxiliary diagnostic methods:

• autoimmune tests;
• additional diagnostics during hospitalization (skin and bone marrow biopsy).

Rashes that arose spontaneously and went away on their own are not accompanied by any clinical symptoms and do not require special therapy. But, it is still necessary to undergo a diagnostic examination to identify hidden foci of internal bleeding.

Treatment of purpura

Treatment must be started as early as possible, since in 30% of cases the disease can be fatal.

The main methods of treatment depending on the cause of the disease:

General restorative therapy:

• vitamin preparations of groups K, P, C;
• blood transfusion, red blood cell transfusion;
• liver extract;
• globulin injections.

The main methods of treating purpura include:

• resection of the spleen for thrombocytopenia;
• blocking the effect of antibodies on platelets;
• restoration of blood clotting processes;
• hypoallergenic diet.

Strict adherence to all medical instructions will certainly lead to relief of the general condition and a speedy recovery.

Disease prevention

It is better to prevent any disease than to waste energy, nerves and money on the recovery process.

To prevent the appearance of pathological rashes, it is necessary to take care of your skin from childhood: avoid injury, hypothermia or overheating. It is necessary to use medications (especially those affecting the blood) only under strict medical supervision. If possible, avoid contact with possible allergens.

Do not allow the disease to become chronic or severe. At the slightest symptoms of the disease, seek medical help.

Recently, more and more people suffer from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Many people periodically suffer from heartburn, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, or even stomach pain. But people are in no hurry to see doctors, preferring to endure the discomfort or relieve symptoms with the help of a pill or folk remedies. Over time, the first symptoms of gastritis and ulcers develop into a diagnosis. Therefore, the process should not be delayed, and a doctor should be contacted as soon as signs of the mentioned diseases appear.

Causes of gastritis and ulcers

Often the symptoms of gastritis and stomach ulcers are confused with temporary illness or food poisoning, but leaving these manifestations without drug treatment is dangerous. Gastritis is characterized by inflammation of the gastric mucosa, as a result of which its secretory function is disrupted, and as a result, digestion is impaired. This process can also lead to lower levels of nutrients in the blood.

Without treatment, this disease does not go away, but only worsens and develops into a chronic form. And if a person does not want to deal with this problem further, then gastritis turns into an ulcer.

The causes of gastritis are the following factors:

As for the microflora that contributes to the development of gastritis, scientists have recently found the main culprit of mucosal inflammation - the bacterium helicobacter pylori, which lives in the stomach. It lives in the body in 88% of people, but more often the immune system suppresses it and the disease does not develop. But as soon as the defenses weaken, a person is exposed to stress or overwork, it quickly begins to develop and cause inflammation.

Gastritis

To understand that you have gastritis and not food poisoning, you need to clearly know its symptoms:

With chronic gastritis, the listed symptoms may not appear too noticeably, so it is difficult for a person to diagnose himself. Only a doctor can accurately determine whether you have gastritis or not. In addition, there are several types of gastritis:

1. Gastritis with low acidity. It is characterized by nausea in the morning, poor appetite, rapid satiety, unpleasant taste in the mouth, and flatulence.
2. Gastritis with normal acidity. With it, only inflammation of the gastric mucosa is observed as a result of exposure to bacteria or chemicals.
3. Gastritis with high acidity is more common than others. It is characterized by sour belching, heartburn, nagging abdominal pain at night and constipation.

How to prevent the development of gastritis symptoms?

To prevent exacerbation of gastritis, you need to follow some recommendations:

Peptic ulcer

A stomach ulcer is not just an inflammatory process of the mucous membrane, it is already its destruction. Often the symptoms of an ulcer are very similar to those of gastritis, but there are some distinctive points. Pain most often appears some time after eating and goes away only after taking appropriate medications. The pain can radiate to the back and spread to the abdominal cavity. As with gastritis, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating and poor appetite are observed.

The ulcer worsens most often in the spring and autumn. The exacerbation time can last about a month or two.

The development and exacerbation of ulcers are provoked by decreased immunity, stress, and long-term use of certain medications.

If left untreated, an ulcer can lead to serious complications:

How to distinguish an ulcer from gastritis

It is quite difficult to distinguish an ulcer from gastritis if you are not a doctor, since they have similar manifestations. But you can still try to recognize the distinctive features. For example, with a stomach ulcer, pain often radiates to different parts of the body: the back, the heart area. And with gastritis, pain is localized in the epigastric region.

Gastritis, unlike ulcers, can worsen at any time of the year. Basically, the exacerbation depends on the consumption of this or that food. If pain occurs at night, it is an ulcer; with gastritis, it appears only during the day.

Diagnostic tests will help accurately determine the disease:

Treatment of gastritis and ulcers

Drug treatment

Drug treatment of gastritis includes taking:

• antibiotics, for example, Tindazole;
• medications to reduce stomach acidity (Almagel, Phosphalugel and others);
• drugs that normalize the digestion process, for example, Mezim.

For ulcers, doctors prescribe the following medications:

• antibiotic, for example, Amoxicillin, Erythromycin;
• histamine blockers, which reduce the production of gastric juice, for example, Kvamatel;
• agents that neutralize hydrochloric acid, but their use is prescribed during the period of remission.

In order for the treatment to have the desired effect, the patient must follow a special diet. Spicy, smoked, and pickled foods are excluded from the diet.

In severe cases, when drugs can cause pain or exacerbation of the disease, injections are prescribed.

Treatment with folk remedies

Traditional medicine methods can be used in conjunction with drug treatment:

Please note that before you start taking folk remedies for gastritis and ulcers, you should consult a specialist. And remember that they will not be able to rid you of the disease, but are aimed only at alleviating symptoms.

Diet for gastritis and ulcers

During the treatment of gastritis and ulcers, to achieve the best effect, it is very important to follow the following rules:

1. The gastric mucosa should be absolutely at rest after eating.
2. You should not eat too large portions at one time.
3. Do not eat foods that cause excess gastric juice.
4. Meals should be separated so that the intervals between them are 3 hours.
5. Food should be soft.
6. You cannot eat more than 10 grams. salt during the day.
7. Avoid eating foods that are too cold or hot, as your body will need more time to digest them.

Eat healthy foods that contain not only fats and carbohydrates, but also proteins, vitamins and beneficial microelements.

Dairy and fermented milk products are very useful for gastritis and ulcers. They are able to soften gastric juice and protect the walls of the stomach.

If you cannot live without coffee, make it weaker and dilute it with milk.

Products must contain animal and vegetable fats. You should add olive oil to your diet, as it promotes the healing of ulcerative wounds.

Under no circumstances should you consume fatty meat broths with spices. Do not consume spicy, fried or salty foods, sausage, carbonated drinks, or alcohol.

What are the main clinical signs of hepatitis

Experienced doctors know the most common signs of hepatitis. This is a large group of diseases characterized by liver damage. There are viral and alcoholic forms of liver inflammation. There are hepatitis A, B, C, E, D and G. The disease requires timely treatment, otherwise cirrhosis may develop.

Clinical manifestations

Depending on the mechanism of human infection, all viral hepatitis is divided into 2 groups: enteral and with a predominantly parenteral mechanism of transmission. The second group includes hepatitis B and C. More than 300 million people are carriers of the causative agent of hepatitis B. Signs of this disease do not appear immediately. The asymptomatic period can last from 30 days to six months.

Signs of hepatitis B are determined by its course. The disease can occur in acute and chronic forms. The following periods of disease development are distinguished:

• anicteric;
• icteric;
• recovery.

In the early stages of liver inflammation, the following symptoms are observed:

• nausea;
• lack of appetite;
• runny nose;
• headache;
• a sore throat.

Some patients experience increased body temperature. The first symptoms resemble flu and ARVI. The anicteric period lasts up to 2 weeks. This phase of hepatitis development can proceed according to the arthralgic, asthenovegetative and dyspeptic type. In the first case, joint pain occurs. There are no signs of inflammation.

With the dyspeptic variant, symptoms such as weight loss, lack of appetite, nausea, and vomiting come to the fore. Sometimes an allergic reaction develops in the form of urticaria or hemorrhagic syndrome. The condition of patients worsens with the development of jaundice. During this period of the disease, the following symptoms are observed:

• darkening of urine;
• yellowing of the skin of the palms, face and mucous sclera;
• skin itching;
• heaviness in the hypochondrium on the right;
• discoloration of stool.

Other symptoms of the disease include liver enlargement and insomnia. Joint pain and rash disappear. The duration of jaundice is about 2-3 months. In the absence of complications, recovery occurs. With chronic hepatitis B, drowsiness during the day, insomnia at night, weakness, fatigue, jaundice, nausea, and bloating are observed.

Often the disease occurs in a latent (hidden) form. Hepatitis C poses the greatest danger, since in most cases it is detected in the later stages of the disease. This pathology is mostly asymptomatic. Hepatitis C is called the gentle killer because it silently leads to cirrhosis of the liver.

Hepatitis A and E

A person can become infected with the hepatitis virus by drinking water or food contaminated with microorganisms. Botkin's disease is a nutritional hepatitis. This is an acute inflammatory liver disease characterized by the death of hepatocytes. In most cases, it ends in complete recovery. Hepatitis A belongs to the group of intestinal infections.

The incubation period lasts from 2 to 6 weeks. Early signs of hepatitis A include muscle pain, fever, weakness, malaise, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, dry cough, runny nose, and sore throat. Redness of the pharynx is not detected in most patients. With the dyspeptic variant of the disease, patients complain of heaviness or pain in the right hypochondrium, lack of appetite, belching, bitterness in the mouth, pain in the epigastric region.

Defecation is often disrupted. Diarrhea may alternate with constipation. These symptoms indicate the development of the pre-icteric period. In some cases it is completely absent. The disease begins immediately with jaundice. The beginning of the icteric period is characterized by an improvement in the general well-being of patients.

Intoxication decreases, but dyspeptic symptoms often increase. Objective signs of hepatitis A in the jaundice stage include:

• change in the color of urine and feces;
• yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes;
• hemorrhages;
• petechiae;
• nosebleeds;
• yellowing of teeth;
• liver enlargement;
• bradycardia;
• arterial hypotension.

Jaundice lasts no more than a month. The recovery period lasts up to six months. Possible complications of Botkin's disease include inflammation of the biliary tract and gallbladder, dyskinesia, and hepatic encephalopathy. Hepatitis E often develops in summer and autumn. The maximum incubation period for it is 2 months.

This liver hepatitis proceeds similarly to Botkin's disease. The difference is that in most patients pain occurs at an early stage of the disease.

In pregnant women, hepatitis E is most severe and often causes acute liver failure.

The disease can cause abortion

Manifestations in children

The disease can occur in children at any age. Transmission of the virus from a sick mother to baby is often observed. This is possible during pregnancy or during childbirth. The greatest danger to a child is viral hepatitis B. In newborn babies, acute viral hepatitis B almost always becomes chronic. The disease is manifested by diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, malaise, and headache.

Fever is a rare symptom. Against the background of developed jaundice, appetite often disappears. Hepatitis C can develop in adolescence. Today, almost every child experiences hepatitis A and E in an erased form. Thus, the symptoms of hepatitis in the early stages are not specific.

To prevent the development of hepatitis, you need to drink only boiled water, thoroughly wash your hands, greens, vegetables and fruits before eating, do not engage in casual sexual contact, use a condom, and refuse tattoos and piercings. Currently, the hepatitis B vaccine is included in the national vaccination schedule. Specific prevention of hepatitis C has not been developed.

Petechiae (or petechial rash) appear on the skin at any age. These small red dots do not hurt or become inflamed, so they are often perceived by people as harmless. In a considerable percentage of cases this is true - the petechiae disappear over time, leaving no trace. And yet, such a specific rash may be a reason to take your health seriously and undergo diagnostics, and in some cases, urgently call an ambulance. MedAboutMe will tell you when red spots are just a minor reaction, and when they are a sign of a fatal disease.

Petechiae - small hemorrhages

Petechial rash is one of the types of hemorrhages that occur due to damage to the smallest vessels, capillaries. A small amount of blood spreads under the skin, forming a round spot no larger than 2 mm in size. This rash does not bother the patient in any way. Moreover, if petechiae are formed in small quantities and are not accompanied by other symptoms, a person may not notice their presence on the skin.

A characteristic feature of petechiae that helps distinguish them from other types of rashes is that they do not disappear with pressure. If the redness is caused by an inflammatory process, but does not lead to rupture of the capillaries, the rushing blood will flow through the vessel, you just have to press on the rash with your finger. The hemorrhage will still remain under the skin, will not move and will not turn pale.

Petechiae do not become inflamed or painful; they are flat formations that can remain for quite a long time. Even after the factor that provoked them has long been eliminated. Over time, they can change color (from scarlet to red, and then to brown), but do not increase in size or change in shape. But the progression of the pathological process is indicated by the appearance of new red dots, or more massive bruises.

Trauma and other physiological causes

The first and most obvious cause of capillary rupture is trauma. Moreover, we are talking about a large list of damages. Petechiae can result from:

Impact with soft tissue damage. Skin chafing. In infants, the rash can appear from diapers, in adults - from uncomfortable clothing. Skin squeezing. For example, at the site where a tourniquet or tight bandage is applied.

The walls of the capillaries may not withstand the increase in blood pressure that occurs against the background of severe stress. For example, with intense coughing, crying, even screaming. Severe stress or weightlifting can also affect blood pressure. A characteristic feature in cases of injury and overexertion is the local nature of the petechial rash. Red dots appear at the site of pressure, impact, etc., and with strong tension - on the face.

With age, the walls of blood vessels become less elastic, and capillary ruptures occur more often. Therefore, the formation of a small number of petechiae in old age is a natural physiological process.

Damage to the walls of small vessels can occur during treatment with various medications. Petechiae form in people taking the following medications:

Penicillin antibiotics. Warfarin, heparin. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Atropine. Indomethacin.

Also, subcutaneous hemorrhages can result from radiation and chemotherapy. The rash is often observed in drug addicts.

Diseases that cause petechiae

Weak walls of blood vessels, their frequent damage, and most importantly, the presence of bruises of various sizes can indicate more serious problems. First of all, we are talking about diseases associated with changes in blood composition. In particular, bruising occurs in various types of leukemia and aplastic anemia - diseases in which the bone marrow produces an insufficient amount of blood components. Thrombocytopenia is characterized by a low content of platelets, the cells responsible for blood clotting. If they are deficient, any wounds will take longer to heal, and in the worst cases, it is impossible to stop the bleeding at all. Therefore, with this disease, the formation of any types of hemorrhages is one of the first symptoms. Petechiae also occur in other diseases associated with poor blood clotting.

The vascular system suffers from autoimmune diseases - disorders of the immune system, in which it begins to perceive the body's cells as foreign and attack them. Against the background of such pathologies, inflammation often develops, destroying the walls of blood vessels - vasculitis. Petechiae occur when:

Systemic lupus erythematosus. Spondyloarthritis. Scleroderma. Hemorrhagic vasculitis.

Infectious diseases can affect the condition of blood vessels and lead to ruptures of the most delicate of them - capillaries. Therefore, petechiae often occur against the background of such diseases:

Angina. Scarlet fever. Cytomagalovirus infection. Enterovirus infection. Mononucleosis. Endocarditis.

Another cause of weak capillaries can be hypovitaminosis. First of all, subcutaneous bruising is caused by a deficiency of vitamins K and C. Petechiae occur in small quantities, often against the background of changes in diet or after an illness.

Petechiae in life-threatening conditions

Unfortunately, small red dots on the skin can also indicate severe, life-threatening conditions. First of all, we are talking about a complication of a bacterial infection - the development of sepsis. It occurs when bacteria and their toxins enter the blood. Against this background, various vascular damage occurs, and the microorganisms themselves spread throughout the body and lead to systemic damage. Without proper treatment, the patient goes into shock and develops acute multiple organ failure. Doctors include Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci as pathogens that most often lead to sepsis.

Another dangerous bacterium, infection of which may be accompanied by petechiae, is meningococcus. If meningococcal infection occurs in a mild form, bruising does not form on the skin. But if the bacterium enters the blood, the most severe form of the disease occurs - meningococcemia. Under the influence of the immune system, microorganisms in the blood are destroyed, a toxin is released, which causes severe harm to blood vessels, actively damaging their walls. This development of the disease is typical for children, and its distinctive feature is rapid development and progression. And the formation of a characteristic rash is one of the most accurate symptoms. Small hemorrhages appear throughout the body, their number increases before our eyes, and new ones are larger in size and more complex in shape (resembling stars). In some areas they may merge into large spots. This diagnosis has a very high mortality rate, so the sick child must be urgently hospitalized.

Symptoms that should alert you

If petechiae are not accompanied by other symptoms, their number does not increase and they are not a sign of a serious illness. In pathological processes with damage to capillaries, other changes in health status always appear. Subcutaneous hemorrhages should alert you if the following ailments appear against their background:

Heat. Headache, dizziness. Stiff neck. Impaired coordination of movements. Confusion. The appearance of pustules of various sizes or other types of rash on the body. Nausea and vomiting, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract. Myalgia. Inflammation and pain in the joints. Other types of hemorrhages include bleeding gums, nosebleeds, and bruising. Wounds that take a long time to bleed.

Petechiae are hemorrhages that form when small subcutaneous blood vessels rupture. They appear on the body in the form of small dots of various colors: red, pink, violet, sometimes purple.

Petechiae have a diameter of no more than 2 mm. On human skin there are either multiple or single hemorrhages. When palpated, they do not stand out in any way and do not ooze.

At the very beginning, the appearance is similar to mosquito bites, but without a central point. After some time, the brightness of the color of the petechiae weakens and becomes brownish. After petechiae, they gradually turn pale and disappear; they can leave behind spots of varying sizes that look like skin pigmentation. They can occur in both children and adults.

The reasons for their appearance are different, but in any case, the appearance of petechiae signals that some changes are taking place in the human body.

Causes and predisposing factors

There are physiological and pathological causes.

They are divided into primary (as subcutaneous bruises) and secondary (red blood cells penetrate into the tissue from the blood capillaries).

Locations: facial skin (cheeks, eyelids, around the mouth, earlobes), torso (especially the abdominal area), neck, upper and lower limbs, soles of the feet, palms. They can even occur on the mucous membrane of the mouth, especially on the lips.

Natural physiological factors leading to the appearance of petechiae:

1. Excessive hacking cough, leading to rupture of blood capillaries.
2. Severe and frequent vomiting with overexertion inside the body; the same applies to hysterical emotional crying and sobbing (petechiae appear around the eyes, along the cheeks, neck).
3. Wearing very uncomfortable shoes (petechiae on the soles, ankles, calves).
4. Mechanical shocks to the body (capillaries burst at the site of the impact, small dots appear, mostly red-violet in color, which are petechiae).
5. Age-related changes, including skin aging.
6. They can appear on the skin of young children due to frequent falls, impacts, and active games.

The appearance of petechiae due to the listed factors does not pose any danger and does not signal anything negative in the body. These are natural physiological reasons. People whose blood capillaries are located close to the skin may be more likely to have these petechiae than those whose anatomical capillaries are located deep under the skin.

To pathological reasons refers to the presence in the body of various disorders, diseases, changes in the functions of internal organs. For example, if there are hematological or autoimmune diseases, the processes of functional activity of platelets are disrupted. Clinically, this is expressed by the appearance of the same hemorrhagic rashes on the skin.

A hemorrhagic rash can also be bacterial in nature. In this case, the occurrence of petechiae will be associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation.

In autoimmune diseases and vasculitis, petechiae develop into petechial exanthema. Multiple large spots of various colors are noted on the skin. Patients complain of chills, myalgia, nausea, and high body temperature. These are signs of intoxication of the body.

Advice. If, for unknown reasons, a rash appears on the skin at regular intervals, this may be a signal of a developing serious disease. In this case, it is important to immediately seek a qualified medical examination.

Such rashes in children cannot be ignored.

Example: a 7-year-old child, after suffering from a cold, developed petechiae on the earlobe and in some places in the neck area. They didn’t go away for a long time, they began to increase. After a medical examination and tests, it turned out that the result of the hemorrhagic rash was a decrease in immune function and a weakening of the strength of the walls of blood vessels. A simple treatment in the form of taking vitamin C and fresh fruits (oranges, tangerines, apples) helped in a short time to restore the child’s normal skin and at the same time strengthen the immune system.

The most common pathological factors for the occurrence of petechiae:

1. Lack of certain vitamins and minerals in the body, hypovitaminosis.
2. Infectious lesions (cytomegalovirus, tonsillitis, infective endocarditis, meningitis, gonorrhea, staphylococcus, scarlet fever).
3. Capillarotoxicosis.
4. Oncology, the occurrence of neoplasms.
5. Hormonal imbalance.
6. Abuse of bad habits, especially drugs and alcoholic beverages.
7. Regular use of certain medications (for example, aspirin, heparin, atropine).
8. Radiation therapy, physiotherapeutic treatment, chemotherapy.
9. Oversaturation of the body with various foods or medications, poisoning.
10. Septicemia (in children as a result of blood infection, or as a result of absolutely any disease due to unformed immunity).

These are the main and most common pathological factors. Petechiae in young children may also be accompanied by high fever, painful lethargy, difficulty breathing and rapid pulse.

Diagnostics

If petechiae did not appear due to mechanical damage to the tissue or another natural cause, the doctor will definitely conduct a clinical examination and prescribe some laboratory tests and instrumental examination.

General diagnostic methods:

• general analysis of urine and blood;
• blood chemistry;
• antibody detection test;
• coagulogram;
• rarely - bone marrow biopsy;
• sometimes - ultrasound of internal organs.

Treatment

In the case of physiological natural causes of petechiae, treatment is not prescribed. They pass on their own after a while and almost never leave traces.

For patients weakened by infectious diseases, in addition to antibacterial drugs, restorative therapy using a complex of vitamins and minerals is prescribed. For allergies, a course of antihistamines is required. In the presence of autoimmune diseases, treatment consists of corticosteroids, desensitizing and vascular strengthening drugs.

Treatment of petechiae in children

If the rash is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics and restorative drugs are prescribed. Blood transfusions and globulin administration are often performed.

Sometimes an abscess may develop or the wound may become seriously infected, in which case surgical treatment will be required. All serious complications are treated only in a hospital setting.

First aid

If there is mechanical damage to the tissue, a blow or a bruise, you should immediately apply a cold compress to such a place for 10-15 minutes. Repeat after 2 hours. A cold compress will prevent inflammation, reduce pain and further bleeding.

Prevention

Preventive measures are quite simple: avoid traumatic situations whenever possible, promptly contact specialists for treatment of major chronic diseases. Choose clothes that are comfortable, without embarrassment, preferably made from natural “breathable” materials. In nutrition, give preference not to preservatives and smoked meats, but to easily digestible foods rich in natural vitamins and microelements.

Galina Vladimirovna

Petechial rash is the result of rupture of small blood vessels located under the skin. Its color is due to the fact that red blood cells from the vessels enter the space between the tissues. The spots look like tiny bruises, measuring 1 to 2 mm in diameter. They are flat and smooth to the touch and can appear one at a time or in large numbers. The peculiarity of such formations is that upon palpation they do not change their color.

If petechiae appear, the reasons can be quite varied. They indicate a large number of disturbances in the functioning of the body. Their presence is mainly explained by diseases of the circulatory system, autoimmune diseases, and the presence of certain infections.

The causes of vascular rupture are divided into two groups: physiological and pathological. Most often, a rash in healthy people occurs as a result of injury. Due to the physical impact of great force on the skin, capillaries rupture and blood enters under the skin. Children often receive injuries that cause hemorrhages, which is explained by their high activity. However, adults are also often injured. The oral mucosa can be damaged by eating solid foods.

In addition, petechiae can form as a result of severe overexertion during coughing, vomiting, and crying. The consequence of such processes is rupture of blood vessels near the eyes, mouth and other areas of the face. Overexertion during labor is the cause of rashes in women in labor.

In addition, pathechial rashes may have other causes:

• heavy physical exercise;
• clothes that are too tight;
• high blood pressure;
• applying a tourniquet to stop bleeding;
• skin aging.

All of the above reasons are classified as physiological. Often, over a short period of time, the spots become lighter and then disappear completely. Such formations can appear in different parts of the body: arms, legs, torso, face, mucous membranes of the mouth.

The group of pathological causes is quite extensive, but is mainly represented by autoimmune diseases (scleroderma, hemorrhagic vasculitis, etc.) and blood diseases (thrombocytopenia, leukopenia).

In addition, other pathological causes are known that affect the formation of petechiae. These include:

• deficiency of vitamins K or C;
• hormonal disorders represented by hypercortisolism;
• capillary toxicosis;
• the presence of various tumors;
• drug use;
• radiation therapy and chemotherapy sessions;
• some infectious diseases (smallpox, typhus, sepsis, tonsillitis, meningitis, etc.)
• long-term use of medications such as Heparin, Atropine, Penicillin, Indomethacin, Naproxen (a group of anticoagulants).

2 Features and types of petechiae

In appearance, petechial rashes are very similar to other skin rashes: allergic dermatitis, eczema, urticaria, roseola. Despite this, they can still be distinguished by making some observations. First, you need to try to press on the stain. If it does not change color or disappear, then this is the first sign of petechiae. Secondly, you need to carefully examine the speck. It will be smooth, not protruding above the skin, without bubbles or crusts. And thirdly, such a rash does not itch, there may only be a feeling of irritated skin.

If a child begins to rash, then most likely he hit a blunt object while playing. Most often, petechiae do not pose any danger. However, in cases where the rashes recur sporadically without any injury occurring, you should seek specialized help. Your doctor can use a blood test to determine the cause of the rash.

It is important to know that a petechial rash may indicate infectious diseases or immune system dysfunction, which are serious disorders. Therefore, you should not leave the solution to the problem to chance. In infants, such skin rashes can occur due to poor skin care on the buttocks, arms, legs, and tummy. If hygiene is not observed, petechiae can actually become a very serious disease.

Hemorrhages can be a symptom of certain diseases, depending on which they will be of a slightly different nature. For example, petechiae in meningitis look like small stars and are pale in color. They appear throughout the body in a fairly short time and have the ability to merge with each other. The result of this fusion is large ecchymoses, the tissues of which often begin to die. Such manifestations of meningitis are often located on the skin of the thighs, legs, buttocks, feet, and lower abdomen.

Diseases associated with dysfunction of the immune system are also accompanied by the formation of petechiae. First it starts to rash on the arms and legs, and after 2-4 days it spreads all over the body. A distinctive feature of this type is that along with the rash, the temperature rises, malaise appears, and arthralgia occurs. After the rash disappears, the skin at the sites of its dislocation peels off and becomes pigmented.

Petechial rash can also occur with enterovirus infection. In contrast to a number of symptoms of this disease, the resulting petechiae often bring relief to the patient’s condition and a decrease in body temperature. It is known that such hemorrhages disappear after 2 days, leaving no traces.

In addition to the described types of petechiae, there are similar rashes with gonorrhea, staphylococcal infection, vasculitis, and Schamberg's disease. Despite their similarities, they still have certain differences.

3 Treatment and prevention of rash

Although in most cases the appearance of reddish skin does not pose a particular threat to health, you should not leave everything to chance. If you are not sure about their safety, it is better to consult a doctor. If necessary, he will prescribe special treatment, which will depend on the causes of the rash.

So, in case of injury, it is recommended to apply a cold compress to the injured area of ​​the body. With its help, you can relieve the inflammatory process and prevent the appearance of new rashes. Ice wrapped in a towel or some natural fabric is used as a cold compress. Its exposure time is 15 minutes.

If the cause of hemorrhages is an infection, then you cannot do without taking antibiotics. Antiviral drugs are also prescribed, drugs that relieve symptoms of the disease and enhance immunity.

Petechiae resulting from allergic reactions are treated with antihistamines: Suprastin, Zodak, Zyrtec. After this, desensitization is carried out.

In case of systemic dysfunction of the immune system, a long therapeutic course (from 4 to 8 weeks) will be required. The main drugs for such treatment: Ascorbic acid, Calcium chloride, Rutin. The following methods will also help strengthen the immune system: taking vitamins K, P, C and liver extract; blood transfusion; immunoglobulin infusion.

1. Balanced diet. It is necessary to consume as much vegetables, liver, and grapes as possible, which are rich in iron. Fish will compensate for the lack of folic acid. For normal blood clotting, you need to eat a lot of spinach and parsley.
2. Avoid stressful situations whenever possible.
3. Limit physical activity.
4. Wear loose, comfortable clothes and shoes.
5. When resting while lying on a sofa or bed, you should raise your legs up. This position helps reduce blood flow.

Thus, petechiae in themselves do not pose a threat to health, but their appearance may indicate serious disturbances in the functioning of the body. Therefore, the best way out is to consult a specialist.