Bleeding into the skin
Alternative Names
Ecchymoses; Skin spots - red; Pinpoint red spots on the skin; PetechiaeHome 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 health care 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
Your doctor 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?
- Coagulation tests including INR and prothrombin time
- CBC with platelet count and blood differential
- Bone marrow biopsy
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