Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Could Sudden Petechiae On Arm And Legs After Scratching Indicate?

For the past two days I ve had sudden Petechiae on arm and legs after I scratched that area. I recently lost my insurance due to my husband losing his job unexpectedly after 20 years. Too concerned to not find out what s going on. They actually bled through my arm last night. I m not scratching more than normal or hard. Very concerned.
posted on Fri, 23 Oct 2015
Twitter Sun, 15 Nov 2015 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 16 Nov 2015 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Petechiael hemorrhages after scratching is of concern and the cause needs to be known.
This symptom suggests some abnormality of platelets.
I suggest you to get few investigations from nearest medical facility.
These investigations are - platelet count, bleeding time, clotting time, PT and aPTT.
Is there any recent history of fever?
A recent history of fever and onset of petechiae is suggestive of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpurae (ITP).
ITP is a self limiting condition precipitated by viral infection.
I suggest you to consult your physician for clinical assessment, relevant investigations and thus management.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri



I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Could Sudden Petechiae On Arm And Legs After Scratching Indicate?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Petechiael hemorrhages after scratching is of concern and the cause needs to be known. This symptom suggests some abnormality of platelets. I suggest you to get few investigations from nearest medical facility. These investigations are - platelet count, bleeding time, clotting time, PT and aPTT. Is there any recent history of fever? A recent history of fever and onset of petechiae is suggestive of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpurae (ITP). ITP is a self limiting condition precipitated by viral infection. I suggest you to consult your physician for clinical assessment, relevant investigations and thus management. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri