Red Itchy Spots Or Bruise Like Areas Inside The Mouth. What Could Be This?

Posted on Tue, 28 May 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 28 May 2013 Answered on

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : My son has a Tiny red spots or bruise-like areas inside the mouth but no other symptom of mono. Not only that but he is 8...and just told us about it tonight and says it itches.

Answered by Dr. Y V Siva Sankara Murty (35 minutes later)

Hi,

Thanks for writing to health care magic.

Those red spots could be petechiae. They occur because of minor bleed beneath the mucous membrane. They occur in a number of conditions including viral infections etc.

A physical examination by your doctor is necessary to rule out any other red spots on the body and associated signs. Investigations like platelet counts are required to rule out thrombocytopenia (low platelet count which may some times cause such red spots).

So a consultation of pediatrician is required and if necessary he may carry out certain investigations to arrive at a diagnosis.

Hope this helps.
Continue to ask further queries as required.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Y V Siva Sankara Murty (2 minutes later)

But no need to freak out as the panicky mom?

Answered by Dr. Y V Siva Sankara Murty (16 minutes later)

Hi,

No donot panic.

But a consultation with your doctor will help you in arriving at a diagnosis. A great majority of such petechiae are caused by viral infections and they are not harmful. But we will have to rule out certain conditions. So a consultation is mandatory.

Hope this helps.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar