Red dots

[salbee55]

Every now and then i get a red, flat, pin prick sized dot on my skin, any where on my body. It doesn't hurt or itch and after a few days it fades to brown, like a freckle. It's not like a cherry angioma which is raised. Does anyone else get these? It was dismissed as nothing by the rheumy i saw, as he dismissed everything i had to say.

[Ccupcakes]

Yes I do, if I knew how to post a photo in this reply I would, I currently have a little group on my forearm, only 3 or 4 but one started bleeding for no apparent reason?

[salbee55 in reply to Ccupcakes]

I've never had one bleed. That must have been awful for you. I've since seen other posts on here where people have the same thing. I'm not sure how to post a photo on here either. Perhaps someone will enlighten us x

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to salbee55]

Hi Ccupcakes and salbee55 , unfortunately it is not currently possible to post photos in replies on this site. They can only be posted as part of a post.

[Ccupcakes in reply to Paul_Howard]

Aha thank you Paul xx

[PMRpro]

Depending on the size they are a petechia (smaller) or a purpura (larger). They are due to tiny blood vessels, capillaries, in the skin being fragile and breaking causing bleeding. Sometimes they are the symptom of illness - the non-blanching rash in meningitis for example - but they are often found for no apparent reason or because you are on certain drugs that make the walls of the capillaries even more fragile. As you've noticed, once the "bruise" has healed it leaves a freckle-like mark; That bit is also more likely to get one again - I have areas close to my wristwatch that repeatedly form purpurae, especially if I scratch at one.

In the sense yours are not a sign of serious illness your rheumy was right - but he could have explained and been more polite. But that doesn't sound his style - should probably have been a surgeon as they have that sort of reputation

[Ccupcakes in reply to PMRpro]

Ive read up on these PMRpro thanks, it would seem mine may be to do with chemotherapy, bloods are done every 2 weeks so am reasonably sure platelets are ok, will check it with Doc tho.

Thanks for the info.

Ccxx

[PMRpro in reply to Ccupcakes]

I'm only on pred - that is enough. It's just the fragility of the tubes - even healthy people get them!

[Ianrussell69]

I went to the dr about 4 yrs ago thinking a had German mesals he started to Smile and said mr russell they are old age spots ! Yes they appear and disappear all the time worse when I've been out in the sun