“Can you get petechiae from stress?” – We’ll answer this question, and provide helpful tips for managing the condition in this article. Petechiae frequently pose no health risk. Even so, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor if you’re unsure of the origin of these spots.
There are some very serious conditions that can lead to petechiae. Kids are more likely to develop petechiae. Take your child to the pediatrician right away if they exhibit this rash, especially if they are feverish.
What Are Petechiae, and Where Do They Occur?
Petechiae are minute bleeding spots that appear beneath the skin or mucous membranes. The purple, red, or brown dots are not a rash and are not raised or itchy either.
Petechiae can be brought on by a variety of factors, some of which are harmful. Seek medical help if you or your child has petechiae that spread quickly or if you have dots along with other symptoms.
Although petechiae resemble a rash, they are not. Broken capillaries, which are tiny blood vessels under the skin, are the cause of these tiny red dots on the skin. They are neither painful nor itchy. Petechiae will stay purple, red, or brown if you press on them. However, a rash will become paler or lighter if you press on it.
Despite the fact that petechiae can appear anywhere on the body, they are typically found on or in the:
- Stomach.
- Mouth.
- Arms.
- Legs.
- Inside the eyelids.
- Butt.
Can You Get Petechiae From Stress?
It is challenging to say for sure whether stress causes petechiae. There appears to be no connection between stress and petechiae, despite there being one between stress and common rashes like hives. Some people believe that when they are under intense or ongoing stress, their petechiae outbreaks are more frequent or worse.
Stress has a variety of different effects on every system and organ in the body, despite the absence of any medical evidence to the contrary. Other types of skin rashes, such as stress-related hives and perhaps cherry angiomas, can also be brought on by stress.
Potential Causes of Petechiae
Several factors, ranging from straightforward and treatable causes to serious illnesses, can cause petechiae:
- Vitamin C deficiency: You can get scurvy if your body doesn’t get enough vitamin C. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, swollen gums, sore joints, easy bruising, and easy bleeding.
- Viral hemorrhagic fevers: Blood clotting is difficult with viral hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola and dengue fever. High fever, easy bleeding or bruising, weakness, and body aches are possible additional symptoms.
- Vasculitis: Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels (swelling). Additionally, it results in a fever, headache, weight loss, and nerve issues (pain, weakness, or numbness).
- Thrombocytopenia: Low platelet levels, which aid in blood clotting, are a symptom of thrombocytopenia. Additionally, it may result in easy bruising, bleeding gums or noses, blood in the urine or feces, and yellow skin and eyes.
- Straining: Under the skin, blood vessels can break when you strain. You might vomit, lift something that is extremely heavy, or give birth as examples.
- Mononucleosis: This viral infection, also known as mono, is typical in young people. It frequently results in fever, sore throat, swollen glands, tonsils, and fatigue.
- Medications: Certain antibiotics, antidepressants, and blood thinners are among the medicines that can result in petechiae.
- Leukemia: Cancer of the blood and bone marrow is known as leukemia. Weight loss, swollen glands, easily bruising or bleeding, nosebleeds, and night sweats are some additional symptoms of this illness.
- Injury: Petechiae can result from skin damage. Examples include a car crash, a bite, skin friction, or even a sunburn.
- Infection: Petechiae can be brought on by bacterial infections like strep throat with scarlet fever or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is spread by ticks. The same is true for viral infections like hantavirus and cytomegalovirus. Fatigue, fever, sore throat, swollen glands and tonsils, body aches, nausea, and vomiting are some additional indicators of infection.
- Endocarditis: An infection of the heart’s lining is called endocarditis. Fever, chills, exhaustion, body aches, and shortness of breath are additional symptoms.
What Can You Do to Prevent Them?
All of the causes of petechiae cannot be avoided. But with a few straightforward measures, you can aid in preventing infections that result in petechiae:
- Regularly wash your hands.
- To avoid being bitten by ticks in grassy areas and the woods, wear insect repellant. Wear long sleeves and long pants as well, and afterward, make sure to check your body for ticks.
- Utilize clothing, sunscreen, and shade to protect your skin from sun damage.
- Clean counters, door handles, and other surfaces with a lot of touches often.
- Share nothing that may have come into contact with someone else’s mouth or nose (like a cup or toothbrush).
- You should avoid sick people.
- Avoid getting tattoos and body piercings, both of which increase the risk of skin infections. Pay close attention to your health and visit your doctor if you experience persistent infections or fevers.
- If you’re in an affected area, wear long pants and long sleeve shirts and use insect repellents with DEET to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes and ticks.
- To ensure you are getting enough vitamins in your diet, eat more fruits and vegetables or take supplements.
- To avoid some forms of bacterial meningitis, get vaccinated (immunized).
How to Treat Petechiae: Natural Remedies & More
Call your physician if you have petechiae. Among the possible home remedies are:
- Rest.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Take lots of fluids.
- Apply cold compresses.
However, it is best to see your doctor as soon as these spots appear because petechiae may be the result of a serious underlying condition. You might need to take antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection. Even if you begin to feel better, make sure to take the entire prescribed amount of medication.
A hospital setting may be necessary for the treatment of more severe illnesses like cancer, blood disorders, or meningococcal infections. Your physician might advise that you seek the care of an oncologist, hematologist, or infection specialist to manage your condition.
Conclusion
Petechiae are microscopic clots that form beneath the skin. They may result from a minor injury, a strain, or more severe conditions. Seek medical attention if you have tiny red dots under your skin that spread quickly or petechiae along with other symptoms.