Bleeding into the skin
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Bleeding into the skin

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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).

I Would Like to Learn About:

  • 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

Related Information

BruisePurpuraRashesPaleness

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.

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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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