Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Bruising/bleeding under the skin
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
Bruising/bleeding under the skin
by mcarva, Aug 06, 2004 12:00AM
Lately, I have been noticing that I bruise more easily and sometimes I also notice small (purple) marks under the skin. I need to tell you that I suffer greatly from hyphochondriasis and believed these symptoms to be a sign of leukemia. I saw my PCP and blood work was taken. Tests were normal. I continued to see these marks and went back for another exam. My PCP did not seem to feel these marks represented anything dangerous. He repeated the blood test a week later to "ease my mind." This time the results also came back normal. I do analyze all the counts very carefully and noticed that my platelet count had gone down about 70 points from the prior test a week earlier. My platelet count on the second test was 280, all my other counts were normal. I started to test my skin to see how easy it would mark. For instance, if I rub or stratch my skin, it will become red and stay red for a while. I will also see small red/purple markes under it that will last for a while. I went to see my PCP for a third time and showed him these new marks. Again, he feels I do not have a blood disorder.
I also notice that my spider markes on my thighs look very red (almost like they are bleeding) when I press them. Previous scars also look redder when I manipulate them.
When moving items the other day for work, I noticed red spots under the palms of my hands when I used them to pick up items, etc. I am convinced I have a platelet disorder.
Can you tell me if there is anything other than a life threatening disease that would cause this? I am 45 years old, highly stressed, do not exercise or eat right, and also have been breaking out in pimples/pustules in my hair follicles (mostly in my legs) since last January. I am petrified my PCP is only looking at my anxiety disorder and possibly missing something serious.
Thank you for your help.
I also notice that my spider markes on my thighs look very red (almost like they are bleeding) when I press them. Previous scars also look redder when I manipulate them.
When moving items the other day for work, I noticed red spots under the palms of my hands when I used them to pick up items, etc. I am convinced I have a platelet disorder.
Can you tell me if there is anything other than a life threatening disease that would cause this? I am 45 years old, highly stressed, do not exercise or eat right, and also have been breaking out in pimples/pustules in my hair follicles (mostly in my legs) since last January. I am petrified my PCP is only looking at my anxiety disorder and possibly missing something serious.
Thank you for your help.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Aug 07, 2004 12:00AM
, Aug 07, 2004 12:00AM
Your PCP is missing nothing. Normal blood work means normal platelets--the small test-to-test variation is meaningless.
You are looking at yourself way too hard and worrying way too much. You need help--rest, counseling, medications... Whatever it takes to calm you down, please look into it.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
You are looking at yourself way too hard and worrying way too much. You need help--rest, counseling, medications... Whatever it takes to calm you down, please look into it.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (1)
by donymc, Apr 28, 2008 10:56AM
A related discussion, bleeding bruse was started.
by donymc, May 08, 2008 04:44PM
A related discussion, skin fungus was started.
