Petechia

I have developed some petechia on my legs where I got some sun the other day, what I am wondering could it be a reaction to the sun or from some medicine that I am taking.  I am really getting a little concerend about it as I have done this.  What does sun poison look like?  Give me some feedback please.

From Web MD

Bruises and Blood Spots Under the Skin - Topic Overview

 

Blood spots

Blood spots under the skin may be either purpura or petechiae. Purpura might look like bruises, but they are not caused by an injury as most regular bruises are. Petechiae don't look like bruises. They are tiny, flat, red or purple spots in the skin, but they are different than the tiny, flat, red spots or birthmarks (hemangiomas) that are present all the time.

Sudden unexplained bruising or blood spots under the skin or a sudden increase in the frequency of bruising may be caused by:

• A medicine, such as aspirin or blood thinners (anticoagulants).
• Infection that causes the buildup of toxin in the blood or tissues (sepsis).
• A bleeding or clotting disorder, such as hemophilia, von Willebrand's disease, thrombocytopenia, or another less common bleeding or clotting disorder.
• Other diseases that affect clotting. Examples include:
  • Chronic inflammatory diseases, such as lupus.
  • Liver disease, such as cirrhosis.
  • Some types of cancer, such as Hodgkin's disease, leukemia, or multiple myeloma.
• Inflammation of a blood vessel (vasculitis).
• Malnutrition, such as deficiencies of vitamins B12, C, or K, or folic acid.

Medical treatment for abnormal bruising or blood spots focuses on preventing or stopping bleeding, changing or adjusting a medicine that may be causing the bruising, or treating the medical problem that is causing the bruising.

Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to help you decide if and when you need to see a health professional.

Thanks for the info.  This is petechia for sure.  The thing about it is that it is only on  the part of my uppper leg where I had not tanned and got a little red.  Not red enought for a sunburn.  I just had labs done in the last month or so. It did cross my mind about some of the DX it could be but I am thinking more on the line a reaction to the sun.  I have been a nurse since mid the mid 80's and was aware of what it could be.  I might just go on down to doc in the box.  I really hate to do that as the tx of choice will be prednisone and I do not take that under any cir****tances.

I'd see the doc in the box. You know petechia could indicate trouble so it should be checked out. Hopefully, it will end up being sun related but it's important to know for sure.

If it doesn't get better in the next few I will. I am going back to the pool tomorrow to try and tan some so that I don't burn at the beach, so I am thinking that if it is sun related it should get worse.   You know us nurses know to much and tend to think of the worst.  My last CBC was good and with the experience I have had with the work up with my anemia I know what to look for so i sort of have ruled some of it out.

I did the fake n bake yesterday. Hopefully it will not only knock some of the white off before I go to Florida but will also increase my vitamin D. (Some research says it does and some research says it doesnt).

When are you going to the beach? We wont see the beach from the part of Florida we are going to but we should get plenty of sun while walking around Universal Studio (if it doesnt rain).