
Palatal petechiae. – Petechiae on the soft palate are mainly associated with streptococcal pharyngitis, and as such it is an uncommon but highly specific finding. Petechiae on the face and conjunctiva (eyes) are unrelated to asphyxiation or hypoxia.
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What is fellatio-associated palatal petechiae?
Fellatio--a sexual act in which the penis is placed into the mouth of another person--can result in submucosal hemorrhage of the palate. A young woman with fellatio-associated palatal petechiae is reported and the features of irrumation-induced oral lesions of the palate are reviewed. Fellatio-assoc …
What do we know about palatal petechiae on physical examination?
The medical records of patients who demonstrated palatal petechiae on physical examination were reviewed for signs of infection, a clinical history of trauma, and laboratory results that could indicate other causes of petechiae. Results: Twenty-three patients had documented palatal petechiae on physical examination (ages 5-16, 13/23 [57%] male).
What are petechiae and what do they mean?
Petechiae are tiny purple, red, or brown spots on the skin. They usually appear on your arms, legs, stomach, and buttocks. You might also find them inside your mouth or on your eyelids. These pinpoint spots can be a sign of many different conditions — some minor, others serious. They can also appear as a reaction to certain medications.
What causes petechiae on top of the mouth?
Palatal Petechiae Causes A few conditions can bring about the advancement of Palatal Petechiae. Petechiae on the top of the mouth for the most part create if the individual is experiencing strep throat disease (streptococcal pharyngitis).

What causes palatal petechiae?
Palatal petechiae may be seen in assocation with diseases such as infectious mononucleosis, measles, scarlet fever, leukemia, thrombocytopenia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Palatal petechiae may also represent rupture of capillaries caused by repeated coughing, sneezing, or vomiting.
What causes petechiae on hard palate?
Petechiae on the palate are characteristic of streptococcal pharyngitis,10 but also can be seen in Epstein–Barr virus infection, Arcanobacterium haemolyticum pharyngitis, rubella, roseola, viral hemorrhagic fevers, thrombocytopenia, and palatal trauma.
What is petechiae in the mouth?
Petechiae are tiny spots of bleeding under the skin or in the mucous membranes (mouth or eyelids). They are purple, red or brown dots, each about the size of a pinpoint. They're not raised or bumpy.
Does palatal petechiae heal?
And good news, per Wolff: If you do end up with palatal petechiae, you won't have it forever. "It heals like any other bruise," he says, adding, "it could last for days to a week or so." It also doesn't lead to permanent damage.
What is the most common cause of petechiae?
Petechiae are formed when tiny blood vessels called capillaries break open. When these blood vessels break, blood leaks into your skin. Infections and reactions to medications are two common causes of petechiae. CMV is an illness caused by a virus.
How long does palatal petechiae last for?
The differential diagnosis for palatal petechiae also includes viral or streptococcal infection, violent coughing or vomiting, blood dyscrasias, and antithrombotic drug therapy. Without further trauma, petechiae from fellatio typically resolve within 1 to 2 weeks.
How long does mouth petechiae last?
Petechiae typically resolve in 2 to 3 days but can evolve into ecchymoses, palpable purpura, vesicles, pustules, or necrotic ulcers, depending on the cause and clinical course.
When should you worry about petechiae?
If you have petechiae, you should contact your doctor right away or seek immediate medical care if: you also have a fever. you have other worsening symptoms. you notice the spots are spreading or getting bigger.
What does a petechiae look like?
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.
Can you get petechiae for no reason?
They're not a disease, but a symptom. A number of things can cause them to happen, from a severe coughing fit to an infection. Often, petechiae are nothing to worry about. Still, it's always a good idea to check with your doctor if you're not sure where these spots came from.
What kind of infections cause petechiae?
In children, infections are a common cause of petechiae. Viruses, like cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), or influenza; bacteria, including Neisseria meningitidis and group A Streptococcus species; and fungi, such as Candida and Aspergillus species, can all be sources of petechiae-inducing infections.
What deficiency causes petechiae?
Petechiae. Petechiae are small 1-2 mm red or purple spots on the skin that result from minor hemorrhage due to broken capillary blood vessels. Petechiae can result from both niacin (vitamin B3) and vitamin C deficiency.
Does infectious mononucleosis cause petechiae on the palate?
PALATINE PETECHIAE, AN EARLY SIGN IN INFECTIOUS MONONUCLEOSIS. U. S. A. F. In 21 of 38 cases of proved and one case of probable infectious mononucleosis petechial eruption on the soft palate was observed.
What kind of infections cause petechiae?
In children, infections are a common cause of petechiae. Viruses, like cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), or influenza; bacteria, including Neisseria meningitidis and group A Streptococcus species; and fungi, such as Candida and Aspergillus species, can all be sources of petechiae-inducing infections.
Can strep throat cause petechiae?
Tiny red bumps on the roof of your mouth care called petechiae and are a common symptom of a strep throat infection. These bumps are caused by small capillaries in the roof of your mouth leaking and are often caused by serious infections.
What is Scarlatiniform rash?
Scarlet fever, also called scarlatina, is characterized by a scarlatiniform rash and usually occurs with group A strep pharyngitis. It can also follow group A strep pyoderma or wound infections. Figure 1. Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus) on Gram stain. Source: Public Health Image Library, CDC.
What happens if you press on petechiae?
If you press on petechiae, they’ll stay purple, red or brown. But if you press on a rash, it will turn pale or lighter.
What is a purple rash?
Petechiae are pinpoint-sized spots of bleeding under the skin or mucous membranes. The purple, red or brown dots are not raised or itchy, and they’re not a rash. Many different things can cause petechiae, and some are serious. If you or your child have petechiae that spread quickly, or if you have dots plus other symptoms, seek medical attention.
What are the tiny dots on the skin?
Petechiae are tiny spots of bleeding under the skin or in the mucous membranes (mouth or eyelids). They are purple, red or brown dots, each about the size of a pinpoint. They’re not raised or bumpy.
Can you prevent petechiae?
It’s not possible to prevent all causes of petechiae. But you can help prevent infections that lead to petechiae with some simple strategies:
Can petechiae be treated?
Treatment for petechiae varies depending on the cause. For straining or a skin injury, you may not need any treatment. If there is a more serious cause, you may need:
What is a petechiae?
Petechiae are a side effect of certain drugs. Some examples of medications that may cause petechiae as a side effect include:
How are petechiae formed?
Petechiae are formed when tiny blood vessels called capillaries break open. When these blood vessels break, blood leaks into your skin. Infections and reactions to medications are two common causes of petechiae.
What causes petechiae to form?
Damage to the skin, such as from blunt force (for example, a car accident), biting, or hitting can cause petechiae to form. Friction against the skin from carrying a heavy bag/backpack or a tight strap from clothing can lead to petechiae. A sunburn can also cause petechiae.
How to tell if petechiae are bleeding?
Though petechiae look like a rash, they’re actually caused by bleeding under the skin. One way to tell the difference is by pressing on the spots. Petechiae won’t turn white when you press on them. A rash will turn pale.
Does petechiae go away?
If a bacterial or viral infection caused the petechiae, your skin should clear up once the infection gets better. If a medication caused the petechiae, this symptom should go away once you stop taking the drug.
Can you prevent petechiae?
To prevent petechiae, you need to avoid the conditions that can cause them. But you can’t prevent all of the possible underlying causes of petechiae.
Do Petechiae leave scars?
Petechiae themselves don’t cause complications, and they won’t leave scars. Some of the conditions that cause this symptom can have complications, such as:
Where can Petechiae be found?
Petechiae can form just about anywhere on your body, even your eyelids or inside your mouth.
What Does Petechiae Look Like?
Petechiae are flat and look like pinpoint-sized red, brown, or purple dots. Clumps of them on your skin look like a rash. But unlike many rashes, when you press on the spots they don't turn white. And if the spots are larger and red or purple, you may have another type of bleeding problem called purpura.
Why do I have a tetchia on my chest?
Petechiae may also form on your face, neck, or chest if you strain intensely or for a long time when you do things like: Many infections with bacteria, viruses, or fungi can cause these spots, too, including: Viral infections like cytomegalovirus ( CMV ), endocarditis, mononucleosis, and the flu.
How to avoid getting petechiae?
Petechiae Prevention. The only way to avoid getting petechiae is to try to prevent the various conditions that can cause it . Take good care of yourself:
What causes petechiae?
Blood and immune disorders can also cause petechiae, such as: Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), a group of blood disorders. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), an immune disorder that affects blood clotting. Leukemia, a type of blood cancer. Thrombocytopenia, low levels of platelets that help your blood clot.
Is petechia a disease?
They're not a disease, but a symptom. A number of things can cause them to happen, from a severe coughing fit to an infection. Often, petechiae are nothing to worry about. Still, it's always a good idea to check with your doctor if you're not sure where these spots came from.
Can lack of vitamin C cause petechiae?
A lack of vitamin C (scurvy) or vitamin K in your diet can also lead to petechiae.
Prolonged straining
Tiny petechiae of the face, neck and chest can be caused by prolonged straining during activities such as coughing, vomiting, giving birth and weightlifting.
Medications
Petechiae may result from taking some types of medications, including:
Infectious diseases
Petechiae may be caused by any of a number of fungal, viral and bacterial infections, including:
Other medical conditions
Petechiae may also be caused by noninfectious medical conditions. Examples include:
