Pinprick Red Dots

[Girl]

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone knows the difference between cherry angioma's and petechaie?

I have several red pinprick sized dots on my upper arms and thighs, maybe 100-150 in total. They all developed overnight in February. I did not have a DR and went to a clinic, where they said that it was angioma's. The Dr spent two seconds evaluating me, he didn't even check to see if they blanch or check to see if they were on the surface of my skin or underneath. He also had to look in a book.

He said that it was wierd that they all developed overnight and basically blew me off, telling me to see my PCP. I also have numerous other symptoms but after being blown off so many times I feel silly bringing it up to my new Dr. I don't want to be treated like I am just being paranoid, I know that there is something wierd about these dots and my numerous other symptoms.

I have tried researching both cherry angioma's and petechaie, but there are not many pictures to go by. Some of the dots are on the surface of my skin and some are underneath. They do not go away, and if anything they are still showing up.

Does anyone have any idea of how to tell the difference?
I would appreciate any answers, and do you think I should bring this up with my new Dr? He has me scheduled for an ultra sound because he said I was very tender in my abdomen region.
Thanks in advanced,
Angie

[Unregistered]

You should have a CBC done. I have Aplastic Anemia and it happens to me all the time. NOT to say that is anything what you have but it is better to be safe than sorry. If you have any bruising ( more than normal ) bleeding gums you should get checked out sooner than later. But it could be NOTHING too.
Take Care

[Unregistered]

I would encourage you to go ahead to post your other symphoms. No one here knows you and it might be helpful.

My wife has something like this, her's definitely itches from time to time.

She's been to her doctor several times and he's just not sure, after-all, it doesn't interfer w/ anything else, so they don't get to concerned, yet. That's understandable and un-understandable too.

I did find something related on the net but I'm waiting for her to get home so I can post it later.

Her's are at varying degree from inside the skin, to more pronounced outside. The item I found on the net had them with a sort of a string extended. Not sure this is what she has exactly but it sure was interesting.

This is why I would like to see posted your other symptoms and I wish all postings would include what their doctor has said. thanks

[Unregistered]

Angie,

The difference is that angioma occur on or just under the skin and do not usually occur in any type of cluster, while petechiae occur in clusters and are very well documented as to their cause. It sounds like you are describing angioma. There is very little known about the cause(s) of them, however I speculate (as do many other scientists and doctors, who are conducting research) that there is a direct connection with the presence of angioma and liver damage. What are your numerous other symptoms? As these signs may be significant to what treatments you should be pursuing.

There are a number of different things that may cause the liver to not work properly, depending on what, how long and to what degree of damage, the organ is very resilient and can be corrected. Do you drink? Even small amounts of alcohol can complicate other types of liver infections or drug interactions (such as tylenol and alcohol). I can tell you that many if not all doctors will not take the presence of angioma very seriously at this point in time because of the lack of any research or factual data to suggest that they are anything other than an aging body showing signs. Do you have any abdominal pain or frequent heartburn?

On a side note, I am aware of some reports that one sexual partner had them prior to intercourse with their partner who did not have them and after a period of less then twelve months in some cases, the partner who did not have any angioma had them. This data has not been evaluated to be considered to have caused any type of transmission. However, knowing that many different types of things can attack the liver. It leaves some speculation to the theory. Without knowing your other symptoms, I would suggest you have a very simple blood test done to evaluate how you liver is working. The angioma can be removed easily at your doctor’s office (although with many it may not be recommended). I will tell you that I do have them myself, I do drink and in time I have noticed an increase in the number that I have, as well as an increase in the size of some of the original ones. In addition, my liver function tests are irregular and I have no signs of known liver diseases.

[Unregistered]

I developed about 30-50 red pin ***** marks on my torso, back etc...almost overnight... I'm also itchy on and off. The itchiness just comes and goes, I can't figure out what is causing it and then it develops into a little rash but then goes away pretty quickly. I am mostly itchy where my clothes cover me, but noticed my face has begun to itch a little too. At first I thought I was allergic to something. I have cats and have never had any allergic reaction to them. The itchyness is being triggered by something- I can go all day without being itchy and then wham....i'm itchy all over.

I've been reading about people w/ red pin ***** -has anyone figured out what this is?

[Unregistered]

Hi. I seem to have a similar poblem. small clusters of little red dots that itch like **** and then dispappear , only to reappear in some other part of my body- back, stomach legs, arms scalp and now even my face. Followed by a small burning sensation. What could this be??

[Unregistered]

Cherry Angioma is hereditary. More and more will pop up as you age, or with exposure to the sun (make sure you wear sunscreen.) I've never heard of any correlation with the liver. The differences are subtle, but can be easily determined. Petechiae do appear in more of a flat, under the skin, cluster. While angioma is more commonly dome topped, and if you run your finger over it, you'll be able to feel the slightest bit of a bump. Angioma is usually bright red, as if you skin had been pricked with a needle. Petechiae on the other hand are brownish, and more commonly darker.

[Unregistered]

I agree with the last reply! Angiomas are usually raised and are harmless benign skin manifestations. I have tiny red dots on my arms and some on my thighs and I have inspected the arms of my friends and we all have them, fair skinned people get them more than darker skinned people, they are all smaller than 1 mm and my physician said they are tiny capillaries that break and it's just part of the natural aging process of our skin. If they are in large numbers and are bigger than 1mm and have halos around them then you should probably consult with your doctor. But if they aren't just relax, if people inspected their arms as thoroughly as we all have then they would find some. Some of mine blanch and some don't. Stay well!

[Temperate]

Petechiae are more like bruises, I do believe.

[Dxd]

Petechiae are more like bruises, I do believe.

Actually not. Petechiae are small red, pin *****-sized dots on the skin caused by the escape of a small amount of blood. It's a minute hemorrhage.


Cherry angiomas are red dome-shaped lesions usually occurring on the trunk and formed as a result of the weakening of the capillary wall.


You're referring to ecchymoses, those are bruises.

Purpura are small, usually round, purplish dots caused by a small hemorrhage in the skin.

Also purpura is a group of disorders characterized by the presence of purpuric lesions, ecchymoses, and a tendency to bruise easily.