Anyone know what these small red spots on my skin might be?

[Cipher]

About two weeks ago I noticed these small red spots existing on my arms and chest (about 20 of them or so). They could have existed for a long time, as I only noticed them now because I was actively examining my skin. They haven't changed their appearance during these two weeks at all. Does anyone have a clue what they might be, and if they could be a sign of something that relates to ME?

I've read about petechia, which is caused by a minor bleed from broken capillary blood vessels, but that can't be as they haven't changed color for over two weeks, right?

 

[nerd]

I think these are moles. I have some similar-looking ones. Your dermatologist will know. There are also apps to identify malignant ones, which seems very unlikely since they look homogeneous and haven't changed.

 

[Cipher]

I think these are moles. I have some similar-looking ones. Your dermatologist will know. There are also apps to identify malignant ones, which seems very unlikely since they look homogeneous and haven't changed.

Thanks! They do look very similar to cherry angiomas (also called red moles).

 

[lenora]

Hi......I'm very fair skinned and these are the only things I ever have. No other moles or anything like that, but these small red ones do show up. I can remember my mother having the exact same things. I'm 74 and am also prone to skin cancer issues. One about 20+ years ago took about 25 stitches, but my latest one involves rather intense surgery over 3-4 mos. I wear sunscreen, was never a sunbather, but did walk a lot my entire life. Even the snow reflects light, as we know from skiing, so summer isn't the only problem.

Ask your dermatologist about them.

But the red dots do look like something fair skinned people get. If you're ever concerned, please ask for a biopsy to be done. Best wishes. Yours, Lenora.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

I have these, too, but I thought these are just normal blemishes along with my dark frecklesas. Now I am thinking I should have them checked out next time I see my doctor. LOL

 

[Slushiefan]

They may be petechiae. In which case there’s nothing to worry about and go away on their own In a few weeks. I’ve had them appear and disappear for unknown reasons on my legs. It was such a minor part of the overall disease progression that i mostly ignored it myself.

 

[Lieselotte]

I have a lot of these. Always thought they were petechiae, but they've never gone away...I think I've collected more over the years. I read somewhere that they are related to autoimmune issues.

I got a full exam of my moles/freckles by the dermatologist earlier this year and the red spots were no issue.

 

[bread.]

They are almost definitely petechiae but if you have mecfs and these "mecfs petechiae" what is different is that they will stay, I have hundreds of those, maybe thousands, got more and more over time. They are basically burst capillaries, I believe they should be understood as a significant guidance towards looking for blood vessel pathology but of course they are not looked into.

 

[nerd]

They are almost definitely petechiae but if you have mecfs and these "mecfs petechiae" what is different is that they will stay, I have hundreds of those, maybe thousands, got more and more over time. They are basically burst capillaries, I believe they should be understood as a significant guidance towards looking for blood vessel pathology but of course they are not looked into.

Interesting. Maybe this is something to consider by the Australian research team who do surveys.

 

[Booble]

They are almost definitely petechiae but if you have mecfs and these "mecfs petechiae" what is different is that they will stay, I have hundreds of those, maybe thousands, got more and more over time. They are basically burst capillaries, I believe they should be understood as a significant guidance towards looking for blood vessel pathology but of course they are not looked into.

Ugh. Same here. I always wondered why my petechiae don't go away. I just get more and more.
I especially get them on my on my inner arms. I've recently started getting even more so in the sunlight I can see hundreds/thousands.

Those bigger ones in the original poster's photo also could be the cherry angiomas. I have those too and am always uncertain if they are large petechiae or cherry angiomas.

These are one of the reasons I'm nervous about getting the vaccine. My blood vessels aren't very strong and bleed easily on a good day.

 

[bread.]

Ugh. Same here. I always wondered why my petechiae don't go away. I just get more and more.
I especially get them on my on my inner arms. I've recently started getting even more so in the sunlight I can see hundreds/thousands.

Those bigger ones in the original poster's photo also could be the cherry angiomas. I have those too and am always uncertain if they are large petechiae or cherry angiomas.

These are one of the reasons I'm nervous about getting the vaccine. My blood vessels aren't very strong and bleed easily on a good day.

Jep. Same here. While you can't extrapolate from cutaneous petechiae to them "being in your brain" looking at the whole picture it seems likely to be the case

 

[Booble]

Jep. Same here. While you can't extrapolate from cutaneous petechiae to them "being in your brain" looking at the whole picture it seems likely to be the case

It's worrisome, though perhaps nothing. Risk to take, risks not to take.
I have a consultation with a doctor on Monday that was referred to me by our Department of Health District Officer. She's an infectious disease specialist who is supposed to be very knowledgeable on the vaccine but I have a feeling it's going to be more of "don't worry it's very safe," "millions of people...." et cetera. I can't really blame her as the typical vaccine hesitant person doesn't necessarily have out of the ordinary situation. And I would likely say the same things to them!
I would prefer to speak to a hematologist but there are none here and I am curious what this doctor has to say. Especially on if they are able to treat a platelet crash situation on the rare possibility it were happened.

 

[lenora]

Hi Booble....Just be certain to tell your Dr. that you have an autoimmune condition.

As far as the larger red spots go, sunscreen will help immensely. I'm in the midst of a 3-4 mo. extended surgery for another face cancer & each derm I've seen has recommended using Elta Sunscreen. Whatever you do, don't buy it on Amazon. It's not the same, or wasn't....even the company that owns Elta stepped in and had a warning posted.

Elta is a Swiss co., and I order it directly from them. They're known for treating the most serious of burn patients so sell a very good product. You don't need as much as you may think, but it should be applied more than once if you're out in the sun all day. I have the cherry angiomas and have actually quit looking for them. I've been told by all the derms I've been to that nothing can be done about them. Mine seem to form more around the abdominal area. All derms sell it & have for the no. of years I've been using it. A few on the arms, but then I always wear sunscreen & l.s. clothing. I hope you're well...and yes, it is hard to make a decision about the vaccine.

I had the Pfizer months ago, and was actually OK, the worst was the first one...extremely sore arm, but I think she hit bone. The second was just fine. My experience only...we all have to make our own decision, and it can be tough. Wishing you well. Yours, Lenora.

 

[katebrownell86]

A similar thing happened to my mom a year ago. For her, it was due to straining reasons. Petechiae are sometimes caused by intense straining and often appear around the eyes or on the chest. If it’s the same for you, stop any such work which may cause straining.

Your diet could also be an issue. If it lacks vitamin C or D you should consider taking them daily. It sometimes could be due to a viral infection. If the virus itself does not require treatment, the petechiae should resolve as your body recovers from the infection. If you are uncomfortable during the course of the virus, ask your doctor about OTC pain medications or fever reducers such as acetaminophen.

 

[Hip]

About two weeks ago I noticed these small red spots existing on my arms and chest (about 20 of them or so). They could have existed for a long time, as I only noticed them now because I was actively examining my skin. They haven't changed their appearance during these two weeks at all. Does anyone have a clue what they might be, and if they could be a sign of something that relates to ME?

I developed these red spots after catching the Coxsackie B4 virus which triggered my ME/CFS; I believe they are cherry angiomas.

One study found these red spots tend to carry HHV-8. The prevalence of HHV-8 is around 2 to 40% of the population, depending on the country. It's not a virus which has been linked to ME/CFS though.


After catching my virus, I also developed a lot of seborrheic keratosis (seborrheic warts) on my skin. When these appear, it can be concerning, because you wonder if it might be skin cancer. But a dermatologist who examined my skin said they were just seborrheic keratosis, which are completely harmless.

 

[bread.]

Ugh. Same here. I always wondered why my petechiae don't go away. I just get more and more.
I especially get them on my on my inner arms. I've recently started getting even more so in the sunlight I can see hundreds/thousands.

Those bigger ones in the original poster's photo also could be the cherry angiomas. I have those too and am always uncertain if they are large petechiae or cherry angiomas.

These are one of the reasons I'm nervous about getting the vaccine. My blood vessels aren't very strong and bleed easily on a good day.

How severe are you? Ty!

 

[pattismith]

I developed these red spots after catching the Coxsackie B4 virus which triggered my ME/CFS; I believe they are cherry angiomas.

One study found these red spots tend to carry HHV-8. The prevalence of HHV-8 is around 2 to 40% of the population, depending on the country. It's not a virus which has been linked to ME/CFS though.


After catching my virus, I also developed a lot of seborrheic keratosis (seborrheic warts) on my skin. When these appear, it can be concerning, because you wonder if it might be skin cancer. But a dermatologist who examined my skin said they were just seborrheic keratosis, which are completely harmless.

You may find this case interesting:

A case of COVID-19 accompanied by cherry angiomas | Phoenix Rising ME/CFS Forums

@Cipher @Booble

 

[Booble]

How severe are you? Ty!

How severe ME/CFS?
I was post-viral severe for about 10 months but generally speaking I'm ......well.....OK.
I don't know if I can classify myself as ME/CFS or not. I've been like this pretty much all my life.
The only things I can pin down with some degree of (self diagnosed) surety would be:
POTS
ALLERGIES - molds/whatnot -- constant state of head clogged
ANTI-Adrenaline (I made that up)
MIGRAINE AURAS -- I f'n hate these bastards. They started in my mid 30s.

I have never felt great physically. Ever. Except for very brief moments in time.
I have found when I come out of a swimming pool I have about 30 minutes of feeling wonderful.. Perhaps how the rest of the world feels all the time??

So how severe am I? I guess I would say not severe in the scheme of things?
I've worked remotely for 20 years so it's hard to tell how I would get on with an in-person job. I've had to do that for 3-weeks at a time for a couple years prior to "the virus" and I manage to get through, sometimes with sneaking home to rest during a long extended lunch break.

 

[bread.]

How severe ME/CFS?
I was post-viral severe for about 10 months but generally speaking I'm ......well.....OK.
I don't know if I can classify myself as ME/CFS or not. I've been like this pretty much all my life.
The only things I can pin down with some degree of (self diagnosed) surety would be:
POTS
ALLERGIES - molds/whatnot -- constant state of head clogged
ANTI-Adrenaline (I made that up)
MIGRAINE AURAS -- I f'n hate these bastards. They started in my mid 30s.

I have never felt great physically. Ever. Except for very brief moments in time.
I have found when I come out of a swimming pool I have about 30 minutes of feeling wonderful.. Perhaps how the rest of the world feels all the time??

So how severe am I? I guess I would say not severe in the scheme of things?
I've worked remotely for 20 years so it's hard to tell how I would get on with an in-person job. I've had to do that for 3-weeks at a time for a couple years prior to "the virus" and I manage to get through, sometimes with sneaking home to rest during a long extended lunch break.

Are you hypermobile?

 

[Booble]

Are you hypermobile?

Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean.