Bleeding into the skin

• Illustrations
• Alternative names
• Definition
• Considerations

• Common Causes
• Home Care
• Call your health care provider if
• What to expect at your health care provider's office

Alternative names    Return to top

Definition    Return to top

Aside from the common bruise, bleeding into the skin or mucous membranes is a very significant sign and should always be evaluated. Bleeding that consists of pinpoint dots of blood is called petechiae. Larger flat areas where blood has collected under the tissue, up to a centimeter in diameter, are called purpura. A very large area is called an ecchymosis.

Considerations    Return to top

Redness of the skin (erythema) should not be mistaken for bleeding. Petechiae, purpura, and ecchymosis do not blanch (become pale) with pressure, while the redness of erythema decreases and then returns when pressure is applied and released.

Common Causes    Return to top

• Injury or trauma
• Allergic reaction
• Autoimmune disorders
• Viral infection or illness affecting blood coagulation
• Thrombocytopenia
• Medical treatment, including radiation and chemotherapy
• Antiplatelet medications 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)
• Drugs
  • Anticoagulants such as warfarin or heparin (ecchymosis)
  • Aspirin (ecchymosis)
  • Steroids (ecchymosis)
• Septicemia (petechiae, purpura, ecchymosis)

Home Care    Return to top

For aging skin, protection of skin is recommended. Avoid trauma such as bumping or pulling on skin areas.

For a cut or scrape, use direct pressure to stop the bleeding.

For a drug reaction, identify and consult the health care provider about discontinuing the drug.

Otherwise, follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause.

Call your health care provider if    Return to top

• There is sudden bleeding into the skin for no apparent reason
• If there is persistent, unexplained bruising

What to expect at your health care provider's office    Return to top

Your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask questions about the bleeding, such as:

• Has there been a recent 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 it occurred repeatedly?
• Has a tendency to bleed into the skin been present lifelong?
• Did it start in infancy (for example, with circumcision)?
• Did it start with surgery or a tooth extraction?

• Coagulation tests including INR and prothrombin time
• CBC with platelet count and blood differential
• Bone marrow biopsy