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What Causes Itchy Red Spots On Skin?
Question: My skin gets very red spots on it and it really looks as if it were bleeding under the skin. It happens most often if I just scratch it or bump into something now it is happening when nothing has happened. What could this be?
Brief Answer:
Prednisone causing connective tissue friability
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that your are having problems with easily bruising. The red spots that you are seeing is called petechia. It is small vessels bursting under the skin from minor trauma like scratching. This most likely due to your RA and to prednisone use. The RA and prednisone cause the connective tissue to be friable, or in other words easily broken. So minor trauma like scratching will break those blood vessels and give you the red spots. There is nothing you can do about it at this time. Stopping your prednisone is not a good idea due to possible withdrawal issues .
I would recommend that you see our medical provider and monitor this. You may need regular blood work and with complete blood counts to be sure you do not become anemic.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Prednisone causing connective tissue friability
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that your are having problems with easily bruising. The red spots that you are seeing is called petechia. It is small vessels bursting under the skin from minor trauma like scratching. This most likely due to your RA and to prednisone use. The RA and prednisone cause the connective tissue to be friable, or in other words easily broken. So minor trauma like scratching will break those blood vessels and give you the red spots. There is nothing you can do about it at this time. Stopping your prednisone is not a good idea due to possible withdrawal issues .
I would recommend that you see our medical provider and monitor this. You may need regular blood work and with complete blood counts to be sure you do not become anemic.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Could this cause any real health problems? They used to go away after several days, but it doesn't now. It does change colors to a light brown. Is there anything I can do about this? It really looks bad. I now have red spots and also brown ones everywhere. You said it was trauma to the skin, but now it is doing it even if I haven't done anything.
I also have blue spots that truly look like bruises in places I have not bruised. They are round blue spots, but the others don't have a shape. They are just there, but not in any shape. They may be long or just odd spots. I have three of the round blue spots on my breast. I have not done anything to them. I am a widow and have not been involved with anyone else so it couldn't be that. Why do they appear where you haven't done anything to the skin and why are they red and blue with different shapes?
I also have blue spots that truly look like bruises in places I have not bruised. They are round blue spots, but the others don't have a shape. They are just there, but not in any shape. They may be long or just odd spots. I have three of the round blue spots on my breast. I have not done anything to them. I am a widow and have not been involved with anyone else so it couldn't be that. Why do they appear where you haven't done anything to the skin and why are they red and blue with different shapes?
Brief Answer:
Sign of potential problem
Detailed Answer:
The bruise or small hemorrhages called petechia are being caused by even the slightest trauma. even just pulling on the skin may cause the bruising. Part is the prednisone the other is your RA and the last is getting older. I would recommend that you see your provider and get some labs to see if your platelets are OK and that your blood counts are stable. This needs to be monitored. It is not dangerous but should not be ignored.
Sign of potential problem
Detailed Answer:
The bruise or small hemorrhages called petechia are being caused by even the slightest trauma. even just pulling on the skin may cause the bruising. Part is the prednisone the other is your RA and the last is getting older. I would recommend that you see your provider and get some labs to see if your platelets are OK and that your blood counts are stable. This needs to be monitored. It is not dangerous but should not be ignored.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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