Petechiae are tiny pinpoint reddish spots on the skin and is due to tiny bleeding spots in the skin.
They are non blanchable, meaning that they still persistent when pressure is applied over the spots and are less than 2mm in size.
Petechiae is not a diagnosis as there is usually an underlying cause for the petechiae.
There are many causes of petechiae. These include:
- Trauma
- Infections eg. viral and bacterial infections
- Haematological problems eg. low platelets (thrombocytopaenia), leukaemia
- Autoimmune diseases eg. Vasculitis
- Others - eg vitamin deficiency, liver disease etc
If you have recurrent petechiae and the cause is unknown, it is important to see your doctor to determine the underlying cause of the petechiae as some of the causes are serious and should not be missed.
Petechiae usually does not require treatment and this will fade gradually over time. However, if there is an underlying cause for the petechiae, this should be treated accordingly.
