Artery spraying spots of blood under the skin

[Asbeck]

I thank all of you. You are invaluable. I have GCA and PMR. Occasionally I get a slight itching and tight feeling in my lower leg on the side, near the Tibia artery. Then later I notice that there are splashes of fairly large blood spots under the skin. It's not typical petechiae. It's like a little spray of blood. These are not the typical blood bruises which we all get.They don't hurt. A week ago I had it and it seemed to lay spots down along the artery line from just below my knee to closer to the ankle (or that's what my rheumy said today.) I asked her what causes it. She said that she didn't know. I've had it before and have always assumed that a small tributary from an artery sort of explodes. But I wonder if a bigger artery damaged by GCA can just "leak" and spray out blood sometimes on a heartbeat. Anyway just wondering if anyone else has anything like this. Thanks.

[Asbeck]

This is Asbeck again. I just looked it up on the Internet. It seems that they are petechiae. And petechiae are defined as localized hemorrhages under the skin. I have OK platelets. My blood pressure is good. The Internet said that it can be caused by autoimmune diseases. So maybe it is a GCA related, little hemorrhage. I know that I have the GCA in the Tibia artery. One time one lower leg claudicated--stopped working for a little while. But if any of you get this, I would love to hear from you.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Asbeck]

I get petechiae and occasionally the larger purpurae. Most people put it down to the pred making the capillaries in the skin more fragile and they leak a bit, especially if you scrape it. I get a few just above my watch strap - they always return in the same place. I also get them if I carry a bag over my arm.

[karools16 in reply to PMRpro]

This sounds like something I have. I thought it was the Warfarin. If I am itchy and scratch, the blood comes to the surface, immediately. At present, it's where my watch strap is, as well.No pain, just looks awful.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to karools16]

Yes - that's what mine are like but luckily I only have a few. I'm also on an anticoagulant - which possibly makes it worse.

[piglette]

I get this most if the time, I hoped it would go away as it looks rather horrid. As you say it does not hurt.

[Asbeck]

Thank you all! I get the blood bruises on my arms. I can't wear a watch or carry a purse with a strap on my wrist. I can't wear a bracelet. Generally my arms look as if I've been in an auto wreck. I had just thought the the lack of any contact with the leg before the leg bruise made it a little different. Glad to know it's just the same old, same old!

[gtate1914]

My rheumy tells me it's because of the pred; the caperlaries were breaking and spilling blood under the skin. I get them also, no matter how careful I try to be in not bumping my arms...