Definition Petechiae are pinpoint-sized haemorrhages of small capillaries in the skin or mucous membranes.
What is going on in the body? Petechiae result from tiny areas of superficial bleeding into the skin. They appear as round, pinpoint-sized dots that are not raised. The colour varies from red to blue or purple as they age and gradually disappear. Petechiae commonly appear on the lower legs, but may be distributed all over the body.
What are the signs and symptoms of the disease? When a person has petechiae, the doctor will ask questions, such as:
Is this the first time the person noticed petechiae?
When did they develop?
Has the person been ill lately?
Has there been a recent injury or accident?
Are there any other symptoms?
What medications is the person taking, if any?
Does the person have any medical conditions?
What is the person's typical diet?
Other questions may also be asked.
What are the causes and risks of the disease? There are many possible causes of petechiae. Common causes include:
What can be done to prevent the disease? It is not always possible to avoid petechiae. Avoiding trauma will help prevent petechiae caused by injury. If allergy to a medication is the cause, avoiding the medication will help prevent the condition. Prompt treatment of infections will help prevent sepsis.
How is the disease diagnosed? Diagnosis of petechiae begins with the history and physical examination. Blood tests are usually done, including:
bleeding time, or the amount of time it takes for the blood to clot
Platelets are blood cells that aid in blood clotting. If a person has too few of them in the blood, the person may be more likely develop petechiae. A bone marrow biopsy may be done in some cases.
What are the long-term effects of the disease? The long-term effects of petechiae depend on the cause. For example, petechiae caused by injury will usually fade in time, and cause no long-term effects. When the cause is allergy to a medication, stopping the medication should end the condition. A person who has a severe infection with petechiae may be very ill, and death can occur.
What are the risks to others? Most cases of petechiae are not contagious and pose no risk to others. If the cause of petechiae is an infection, such as mononucleosis (glandular fever) or meningitis, the infection may be contagious.
What are the treatments for the disease? Treatment is directed at the underlying cause of the petechiae. For example, someone with petechiae caused by an infection is given antibiotics. If petechiae are caused by allergy to a medication, the medication may need to be stopped. A person with petechiae due to a low platelet count may need a transfusion of platelets or other blood factors. A person with leukaemia or cancer may need surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Petechiae caused by injury need no treatment. Applying an ice pack off and on for 24 hours after the injury may reduce further petechiae. The petechiae will fade in time.
What happens after treatment for the disease? Most petechiae will disappear when the cause is identified and treated.
How is the disease monitored? Blood tests may be done to see if the platelet count is back to normal. If petechiae worsen, or any other symptoms are present, monitoring by a healthcare doctor may be necessary. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the doctor.
Author: Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS Reviewer: HealthAnswers Australia Medical Review Panel Editor: Dr David Taylor, Chief Medical Officer HealthAnswers Australia Last Updated: 1/10/2001 Contributors Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request
