Has anyone ever "broke out" with these small purple-red spots on their legs, arms and face?  I know the ones on my face are probably from getting sick...but what about the ones on my legs?  Any ideas???

Mostly on my arms and from way before I ever had surgery. You should ask your doctor about them.

Wow!   I've had these, I don't know what causes them...mostly in my arms...Whats the what?

this is what I found on them:

Petechia

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Symptom/Sign: Petechia Classifications and external resources

A minor petechia.
ICD-10	R23.3
ICD-9	782.7

A petechia (pronounced [pɨˈtiːkiə]), plural petechiae (pɨˈtiːkɪiː) is a small red or purple spot on the body, caused by a minor hemorrhage (broken capillary blood vessels).

The most common cause of petechiae is through physical trauma such as a hard bout of coughing, vomiting or crying which can result in facial petechiae, especially around the eyes. Petechiae in this instance are completely harmless and usually disappear within a few days. Petechiae may be a sign of thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts). They also occur in cir****tances when platelet function is inhibited (e.g., as a side effect of medications or during certain infections) or when excessive pressure is applied to tissue (e.g., when a tourniquet is applied to an extremity or with excessive coughing).

If unsure, petechiae should always be quickly investigated. They can be interpreted as vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels, which requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent damage. Some malignancies can also cause petechiae to appear. Petechiae should be investigated by a skilled health care provider (Physician, Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner) immediately to rule out the more dangerous conditions. Dermatologists can be the most helpful specialists in these conditions because they can more easily identify if the condition is petechiae or some similar looking but less worrisome rash.

The significance of petechiae in children depends on the clinical context in which they arise. Petechiae in children can occur with viral infections. In this setting they do not necessarily signify serious illness. They are the hallmark of some possibly serious illnesses, however, such as meningo****emia, various causes of thrombocytopenia, and leukemia. Therefore, their presence should not be ignored.

did they go away????in how long

Show them to your PCP. I have ITP, have since 1980, at least. Low platelets. Mine are teeny like the picture.

But mine is chronic, annoying but not dangerous. I had a dog who had acute and she was gone in a few hours.

Usually by the time I get to the doc to be tested, the platelets are normal again.

Curious...have you been scratching a lot lately? I ask because I have really sensitive skin and if I use a detergent that irritates my skin, I scratch a lot and get these. Just a thought :) Take care ~ Terisa