How long for petechiae to go away

If you are experiencing something that you know triggers petechiae, apply a cold compress under your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes throughout the day. Petechiae usually resolve on their own after about two to three days.

However, some home remedies prevent the spots from forming or help them quickly ease after they form. Applying cold compresses to the affected area helps reduce inflammation and eases the appearance of petechiae. In some cases, doctors prescribe corticosteroids or antibiotics to treat petechiae.

These medicines treat infections and reduce inflammation. Immunosuppressants are also effective in treating petechiae. If petechiae are not linked to an infection or another underlying condition, the best treatment is rest, relaxation, and plenty of water. If you experience discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers including acetaminophen and ibuprofen are helpful. The best way to prevent activity-induced petechiae is to avoid activities that require heavy lifting or straining.

If petechiae is related to illness, or if you're taking medications that cause petechiae, talk to your doctor about it. They may recommend home remedies if it's nothing serious. They may also prescribe antibiotics or corticosteroids to treat the root cause of the problem. The red circles that appear under your eyes after vomiting are petechiae. They are caused by broken blood vessels that cause minor bleeding under the skin. The blood vessels burst because of the strain of vomiting.

This condition is more likely to arise when vomiting is intense. Vomiting-induced petechiae tend to clear up on their own. Red dots tend to develop under your eyes after drinking alcohol because of how alcohol affects the body. The alcohol also enters your bloodstream and travels into your eyes, putting a strain on the small blood vessels or capillaries in your face. Petechiae also form if you vomit after drinking, just as they can when you vomit for any other reason.

Drinking alcohol also affects the nutrient balance in your body. Yes, most of the time petechiae go away on their own. You can speed things along by applying cold compresses to the affected area for about 15 minutes at a time every few hours.

If red dots are caused by skin conditions or an allergic reaction, you might need to see a dermatologist for treatment. Indirectly, yes, stress can cause petechiae to form under the eyes. This is because so many people cry when they feel stressed.

The harder you cry and the puffier your eyes get from crying, the more likely red dots are to form. Elevated blood pressure, which is a symptom of stress, also causes red spots. People with vitamin B12 deficiencies tend to have a higher risk of petechiae forming. The spots are also non-blanching, meaning that they do not fade or change color under pressure. As purpura heal and the body breaks down and absorbs the pooled blood, the patches change color. These changes vary — a spot may turn from reddish-purple to brown, orange, blue, or green.

Petechiae are red, pink, or purple patches just under the skin. They are smaller than 2 mm and usually flat. Generally, petechiae are smaller versions of purpura, and they, too, are sometimes called blood spots. They form when capillaries break and leak blood that pools beneath the skin. Like purpura, petechiae change color as the body breaks down and absorbs the pooled blood. The color transitions from reddish-purplish to brown, orange, blue, or green, and these spots do not fade or change color under pressure.

Petechiae can develop in small clusters or patches, resembling a rash. This may spread over a larger area of skin or be confined to a single area. Petechiae can occur around or among purpura. Petechial rashes can develop in children. According to estimates, 2. Pediatric petechial rashes are often harmless and resolve on their own. However, it may be necessary for the doctor to treat the underlying cause. Like purpura, petechiae are a symptom of a health issue.

It is important to consult a doctor if a child develops any unexplained rash. The most obvious difference involves size: petechiae are smaller than 2 mm, while purpura are larger. Purpura may be petechiae that have spread and joined together, forming larger areas of discoloration. Both petechiae and purpura clusters tend to have rash-like appearances. Though the spots are often flat, they can be slightly raised.

There are three types of purpura and petechiae:. A wide range of factors can cause purpura and petechiae to develop, such as:. Several autoimmune conditions or health issues that cause irregular bleeding or affect blood clotting can cause purpura and petechiae.

Among them are:. Many other medical conditions that can cause blood vessels to burst or leak can also cause purpura and petechiae, including:. Petechiae may be caused by certain prescription medications.

When this occurs, the only effective treatment is discontinuing the medication and finding a safe alternative. Medications that may lead to petechiae include penicillin, phenytoin, and quinine. When a bacterial infection spreads to the bloodstream, petechiae may appear on the skin. Bacterial infections such as meningococcal disease , scarlet fever , and infective endocarditis can cause petechiae and need to be treated with antibiotics and additional therapies as needed.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever RMSF is a bacterial infection spread through a tick bite and also leads to petechiae. RMSF must be treated right away with the antibiotic doxycycline. If you develop petechiae after spending time in wooded areas or being bitten by a tick, see your doctor right away. RMSF can quickly become life-threatening when left untreated.

If you develop petechiae with a high fever, see your doctor right away as this could be a sign of a serious bacterial infection. Petechiae sometimes occur when the blood vessels become inflamed. This inflammation is known as vasculitis and can be caused by a variety of factors. Steroid therapy may be helpful in reducing swelling and reversing the petechiae. Steroids may also be used to treat certain types of thrombocytopenia because they stimulate the body to produce more platelets in the blood.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura ITP is usually treated with the steroid prednisone. ITP occurs when the body's immune system attacks the platelet cells in the blood. Viral infections caused by viruses like cytomegalovirus CMV can lead to petechiae.

These infections may require treatment with antivirals such as valganciclovir. This could be a sign of meningococcal disease, which can be deadly. When petechiae are caused by thrombocytopenia, they must be treated by addressing the underlying cause of the condition. When platelets are low, bleeding is more likely. If you have been diagnosed with thrombocytopenia, your doctor will work with you to determine what is causing the low platelet levels.

Possible treatments include platelet transfusions, prescription steroids, and additional treatments as needed. Blood cancers , such as leukemia, can cause petechiae. If you or your child has been diagnosed with blood cancer, treatment will depend on your specific type of cancer and how advanced it is.

Treatment options may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. It should be noted that many cancer treatments also cause petechiae.

If your case of petechiae is due to low platelets, your doctor may recommend a splenectomy , where your spleen will be removed. Removing the spleen in a person with certain types of thrombocytopenia can increase the level of platelets in the blood. This is because the spleen filters the blood and sometimes traps platelets, keeping them from circulating in the blood and clotting the blood.

People with ITP may benefit from removing the spleen if steroids have been unsuccessful. The treatment for petechiae depends on their cause, and will look different for each person with this symptom. Some cases can be treated or prevented with lifestyle changes, while others may require surgical treatment.

If you have petechiae and a fever at the same time, talk to your doctor because it could be a sign of a serious infection. Petechiae are tiny dots on the skin that indicate bleeding from the capillaries.

The first step in treating petechiae is identifying the underlying cause. Many cases of petechiae resolve on their own once the cause is addressed.

If you notice petechiae on your skin or mucous membranes like those in your mouth, see your doctor. If you develop a fever as well, seek treatment right away. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

Bleeding into the skin. Updated May 25, Cleveland Clinic.