Petechiae: Causes, Symptoms & What to Watch For

Petechiae are small, round, flat reddish or purplish spots on the skin or mucous membranes caused by a hemorrhage (escape of blood from a blood vessel). Individual spots are less than 3 mm (0.1 in) in diameter, and they blanch (become white) when pressure is applied. Petechiae are a clinical sign of various underlying medical conditions, some of which may be serious or life-threatening.

Petechiae can occur anywhere on the body, but they are most commonly seen on the limbs and face. They may also appear on the conjunctiva (the white part of the eye) and the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.

In most cases, petechiae are harmless and resolve spontaneously within a few days to a week. However, in some cases, they may be a sign of a more serious underlying medical condition, such as:

* Bleeding disorder

* Infection

* Allergic reaction

* Medications

* Vasculitis

* Cancer

* Liver disease

* Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency)

People who develop petechiae should see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Treatment will depend on the cause of the petechiae.