this red spots on skin They can appear in different parts of the body for different reasons and take on different forms. They are generally benign They pose no danger.One type of erythema is Petechiae (Also known as Red dot), which we will discuss in this article.
In some cases they simply appear They produce no other manifestation than their existence. In other cases, they may cause itching And is somewhat annoying, especially if its appearance is associated with fever, blows, physical exertion or minor trauma, aging or even the effects of certain medications.
What are petechiae?
Petechiae are small, needle-like red, brown, or purple spots. Appears on the skin. Shades may vary depending on the area where they appear and the skin tone and undertone.They are formed due to rupture of small capillarieswhich causes a small amount of blood to drain and stay under the skin, similar to when we have a bruise, but much smaller in size.
- If you look closely, you’ll see that petechiae look like tiny droplets of blood or dilated capillaries.
Thus, petechiae are red spots that may be dotted with Diameter is generally less than 1 mm (Their size rarely exceeds 2 mm). Now, depending on different causes, several petechiae may form in the same area very close to each other, and their appearance can simulate an erythema of about 4 mm, just like a freckle.
Although some people refer to petechiae as red nevus or ruby spots, this is not the case.indeed They usually appear after the age of 40, which occurs at the same time as other signs of skin aging, which can be confusing to them. But petechiae occur because, as we age, blood vessels become more fragile and the skin loses its elasticity, so any blow, stress, fever from infection… can cause minor bleeding under the skin.
In younger people, a few widespread red spots may begin to appear. This is a risk-free sign but invites you to take care of yourself..
Petechiae are not moles
If you have moles and freckles, you may think of petechiae as incipient moles that will later turn brown and become like your other moles. but not… Petechiae are not moles
- this mole are areas with more pigmentation melanin accumulation.
Please remember that any Spots, moles, or hemangiomas Appearance on skin needs to be observed Evaluate whether it grows and what its evolution is.
Why do petechiae or red spots appear on my skin?
The most common causes of petechiae are:
- conditions, infections and heating process.
- trauma Or stress in an area due to effort.
- drug Affects capillaries or blood circulation.
- Ageing.
- shortcomings Nutritious
Petechiae caused by conditions such as infection or fever
Some infectious diseases that manifest as fever or irritation, e.g. dermatitis, Affects subcutaneous capillaries and causes its breakdown by producing petechiae: in this case, They usually disappear once the process is resolved.
Example Infect Causes of petechiae include Epstein Barr virus mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus infection, meningococci, rubella, Streptococcus causing tonsillitis, and SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection.
this Vasculitis or inflammation of blood vessels They may also appear as petechiae, which can make capillaries more susceptible to rupture.
Certain conditions can cause changes in the number of blood cells, Such as the number of platelets, which can cause petechiae.
Petechiae caused by trauma or excessive pressure
implement strenuous physical labor Can cause petechiae.It becomes easier when effort is made where there is high temperature. During strenuous exercise, capillaries rupture under the skin due to stress and heat, causing vasodilation.
A very specific case is the appearance of petechiae When an adult or child vomits. inside light-skinned children People have been observed to develop petechiae on their faces when they cry frequently, cough, require a lot of effort, and/or vomit. After a while, they will disappear.
When vomiting, crying or coughing May or may not be related to the infectious process.Petechiae when vomiting in adults They are caused by effort and usually appear on the face. In children, it may even occur during a tantrum. The children’s faces were red and we saw small petechiae on their faces after crying and vomiting.
Some A job or activity that requires stress or where you are stressed or clickcan also promote the appearance of petechiae.
Petechiae as a side effect of medication use
Some medications, such as phenytoin, anticoagulants, chemotherapy, or quinine, can promote the appearance of petechiae.Please read the leaflet carefully and Consult your health professional Whenever you take any medicine or receive treatment before petechiae or hematoma develop.
Petechiae due to aging
When I was little my great grandmother had a lot of varicose veins and she also had some red spots on her legs and arms, they caught my attention because when I pressed lightly with my finger they disappeared, but When I moved away, they disappeared. With a flick of the finger, they appeared again. ““They don’t come off completely, they fall off in other ways and I have bad circulation,” he explained to me. My great-grandmother knew not to stand near sources of heat (such as next to a fire pit or radiator) or in the sun, and to avoid hitting herself.
Petechiae are signs of broken capillaries Can manifest at an advanced age Senile purpura, a condition with red spots in which petechiae and petechiae (The difference is size, with ecchymoses being larger).
They also appeared to my grandfather over the years, but as I got older I explained to him that he had to avoid contactol and overheating or wearing tight clothing, such as when you hang a shopping bag over one arm. My grandfather thought they were normal: “They could be from diabetes…or from years of working as a machinist.” The truth is he was right. .
Why should I tell you about my family?Because factors that make petechiae more likely to occur include genetic susceptibility. But this is not 100% conclusive.
As we can see, Blood vessels and capillaries become more fragile Under certain conditions, as we age, there may be nutritional deficiencies and this capillary fragility can lead to the formation of petechiae.
Some A job or activity that requires stress or where you are stressed or clickcan promote the appearance of petechiae.
Petechiae caused by nutritional deficiencies
Nutrition is very important and we can minimize the appearance of petechiae, even though they are harmless. after all: If petechiae occur, they tell us about the condition of the capillaries..
this Insufficient vitamin C and vitamin K They can cause hair to become brittle. However, in a diet containing adequate vegetables and fruits, this deficiency is unlikely to exist.
How to minimize the appearance of petechiae?
Depending on what causes red spots or petechiae-type spots to appear, the goals of skin care are:
- Take good care of your blood vessels by feeding to avoid capillary fragility.Fruits containing vitamin C and flavonoid pigments promote the protection of capillaries, which is why they are considered to have vitamin P (vasoprotective and capillary action) effects, e.g. red and blue fruits. The vegetables that provide us with vitamin K also help with capillaries and blood circulation.you may need a Specific supplement In this case, please consult a health professional.
- Avoid direct heat sources, mainly but not limited to areas with the thinnest skin: face, neck, shoulders, feet, calves, hands, arms. Also avoid times of greatest sunlight intensity.
- Keeps skin hydrated and protected Use a cream or lotion appropriate for your skin type. This minimizes skin aging and atrophy.
- If you suffer from any Allergies that manifest on the skinTake care to avoid exposure to allergens, whether through contact or through food or medications. This minimizes vascular involvement. Please consult your health professional.
- Protects feet and legs as well as hands and forearms from injury Insect bites, stings or collisions, For example, when arranging plants, walking in the countryside or doing physical work.
- If you have high blood pressure and/or varicose veinspay attention to your diet, avoid being overweight and live a healthy life.
- if you take any medicationsIf petechiae appear in multiple areas at the same time, talk to your health professional in case this may be a sign of a side effect of your medication.
Finally, please remember Petechiae themselves are not serious. If petechiae appear in multiple areas at the same time or are accompanied by severe itching or fever, or if larger red spots increase in number and size or are dispersed throughout the body (with or without itching) See your health professional Assess the cause and recommend appropriate care.