Bleeding under the skin can occur from broken blood vessels that form tiny pinpoint red dots (called petechiae). Blood also can collect under the tissue in larger flat areas (called purpura), or in a very large bruised area (called an ecchymosis).
Alternative Names:
Ecchymoses; Skin spots - red; Pinpoint red spots on the skin; Petechiae
Considerations:
Aside from the common bruise, bleeding into the skin or mucous membranes is a very significant sign and should always be checked out. Redness of the skin (erythema) should not be mistaken for bleeding. Petechiae, purpura, and ecchymosis do not become pale (blanch) with pressure. The redness of erythema decreases and then returns when you apply and then release pressure to it.
Protect aging skin. Avoid trauma such as bumping or pulling on skin areas.
For a cut or scrape, use direct pressure to stop the bleeding.
If you have a drug reaction, ask your health care provider about stopping the drug.
Otherwise, follow your prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause of the problem.
Review Date: 5/17/2007
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Internal Medicine
