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Bleeding into the skin

Ecchymoses; Skin spots - red; Pinpoint red spots on the skin; Petechiae

 

Bleeding into the skin can occur from broken blood vessels that form tiny 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).

Considerations

 

Aside from the common bruise, bleeding into the skin or mucous membranes is a very significant sign and should always be checked out by a health care provider.

Redness of the skin (erythema) should not be mistaken for bleeding. Areas of bleeding under the skin do not become paler (blanch) when you press on the area, like the redness from erythema does.

 

Causes

 

Many things can cause bleeding under the skin. Some of them are:

  • Injury or trauma
  • Allergic reaction
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Viral infection or illness affecting blood clotting (coagulation)
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Medical treatment, including radiation and chemotherapy
  • Antiplatelet medicines such as clopidogrel (Plavix)
  • Bruise (ecchymosis)
  • Birth (petechiae in the newborn)
  • Aging skin (ecchymosis)
  • Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (petechiae and purpura)
  • Henoch-Schonlein purpura (purpura)
  • Leukemia (purpura and ecchymosis)
  • Medicines. Anticoagulants such as warfarin or heparin (ecchymosis), aspirin (ecchymosis), steroids (ecchymosis).
  • Septicemia (petechiae, purpura, ecchymosis)

 

Home Care

 

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 provider about stopping the drug. Otherwise, follow your prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause of the problem.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Contact your health care provider if:

  • You have sudden bleeding into the skin for no apparent reason
  • You notice unexplained bruising that does not go away

 

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

 

Your provider will examine you and ask questions about the bleeding, such as:

  • Have you recently had an injury or accident?
  • Have you been ill lately?
  • Have you had radiation therapy or chemotherapy?
  • What other medical treatments have you had?
  • Do you take aspirin more than once a week?
  • Do you take Coumadin, heparin, or other "blood thinners" (anticoagulants)?
  • Has the bleeding occurred repeatedly?
  • Have you always had a tendency to bleed into the skin?
  • Did the bleeding start in infancy (for example, with circumcision)?
  • Did it start with surgery or when you had a tooth pulled?

The following diagnostic tests may be performed:

  • Coagulation tests including INR and prothrombin time
  • Complete blood count (CBC) with platelet count and blood differential
  • Bone marrow biopsy

 

 

Open References

References

Ballas M, Kraut EH. Bleeding and bruising: a diagnostic work-up. Am Fam Physician . 2008 Apr 15;77(8):1117-24.

Hayward CPM. Clinical approach to the patient with bleeding or bruising. Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr, Silberstein LE, Heslop HE, Weitz JI, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 130.

Piette WW. Purpura. In: Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Schaffer JV, eds. Dermatology . 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 22.

 
  • Black eye

    Black eye - illustration

    A black eye is caused by bleeding into the tissue around the eye. This most often follows trauma. The medical term for this type of bruising is ecchymosis.

    Black eye

    illustration

    • Black eye

      Black eye - illustration

      A black eye is caused by bleeding into the tissue around the eye. This most often follows trauma. The medical term for this type of bruising is ecchymosis.

      Black eye

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

        Tests for Bleeding into the skin

         
         

        Review Date: 4/11/2015

        Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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