Menu Healthy Lifestyle Diseases & Conditions First Aid Symptoms Tests & Procedures Videos Definitions FAQs PetechiaeUpdated: 2021-06-25DefinitionPetechiaePetechiaePetechiae may look like a rash and usually appear in clusters. Here they appear on a leg (A) and on an abdomen (B).Petechiae are pinpoint, round spots that appear on the skin as a result of bleeding. The bleeding causes the petechiae to appear red, brown or purple. Petechiae (puh-TEE-kee-ee) commonly appear in clusters and may look like a rash. Usually flat to the touch, petechiae don't lose color when you press on them. Sometimes they appear on the inner surfaces of the mouth or the eyelids. Petechiae are common and may indicate a number of conditions, ranging from minor to very serious.CausesTiny blood vessels (capillaries) link the smallest parts of your arteries to the smallest parts of your veins. Petechiae appear when capillaries bleed, leaking blood into the skin. A number of things can cause this bleeding, including:Prolonged strainingMedicationsMedical conditionsProlonged strainingTiny petechiae of the face, neck and chest can be caused by prolonged straining during activities such as coughing, vomiting, giving birth and weightlifting.MedicationsPetechiae may result from taking some types of medications, including:Phenytoin (Cerebyx)PenicillinQuinine (Qualaquin)Infectious diseasesPetechiae may be caused by any of a number of fungal, viral and bacterial infections, including:Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection Endocarditis MeningococcemiaMononucleosis Rocky Mountain spotted fever Scarlet fever Sepsis Strep throat Viral hemorrhagic fevers Other medical conditionsPetechiae may also be caused by noninfectious medical conditions. Examples include:Vasculitis Thrombocytopenia Leukemia Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency)Vitamin K deficiencyWhen to see a doctorSee your doctor promptly if you or your child develops unexplained or widespread petechiae. It's important to determine the cause, since some underlying problems can be potentially serious. © 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research(MFMER). All rights reserved. Terms of Use