Say a person wakes up one day and notices that on one arm in the bend of the elbow where she’s gotten IV’s and also had blood drawn, but not for about 2 years, that there are spots that look like tiny bruises and they are directly over some veins. And as the day goes on another smaller one appears also over a vein. Should this person be worried? Why should or shouldn’t this person be worried? I just hate to spend time and money to go to a dr. to go “What is this?”
I think this question belongs on ‘WebMD’.
Seriously, if you don’t want to deal with a doctor, why not try your friendly pharmacist?
They have extensive medical training, and while they shouldn’t diagnose, they can give you a clue as to what to do.
Hope everything’s okay.
“I drive way too fast to worry about my cholesterol.”
SoMoMom, I agree with Nicky’s advice and just came on to add, that the spots that FIRST appeared could’ve been from lack of circulation if your arm had been bent and you had been sleeping. Are they itching too?? Where’s MajorMd?? I would want your question answered, which means you should be concerned enough to try to get it looked at by someone who can SEE them, rather than just the helpful souls here!! It could be something as simple as what I said, or even if you’ve used a new kind of soap, it could be an allergic reaction. Try not to worry, but get it looked at anyway.
“Cheat is TEACH, backwards!” Doodlebug’ Up the Down Stair Case
Well, that sounds quite different from what I picked up at a similar location (except it doesn’t seem to be exactly over a vein). It’s just one slightly disturbed spot that sometimes itches like the devil. It has also gone for as much as a year without itching. As I recall, I asked a VA MD, maybe even a VA dermatologist about it, when I saw them for other things, but they didn’t have anything useful to contribute. Next to nothing that hangs around the VA is good for anything. I never had the money to pursue the matter. I assume its a virus. Some pricking of it wouldn’t remove anything, so twice I tried some salicylic acid gel, used to remove warts; but it didn’t remove this thing.
Your problem sounds completely different. I gather you haven’t had it long. I, of course, wouldn’t venture a guess as to what that problem is. If it’s spread around, maybe it has nothing to do with the old needle hole.
Ray
There is no discomfort whatsoever. The lack of circulation thing is very possible. I often fall asleep nursing my baby and wake up hours later. She just had a major growth spurt so her head is a lot heavier than it was before. If that’s what it is, I should expect to see it fading before tomorrow when I take my older girl for surgery, because it is like a bruise sort of. Correct? If it’s not fading by then, I’ll try and show them to someone. Actually, the newest tiny one is fading already.
It concerned me because I have a terrible fear of needles and can remember every single place that I’ve had my veins punctured. I can remember when I had each of those punctures.
Maybe the kid is giving you a little kick when you are asleep?
I thought at first something may be hitting you when you were asleep & your later post saying you slept with the baby is a clue.
Have you noticed any unusual bruising anywhere else, bleeding gums after brushing your teeth, last menstrual period unusually heavy? Those would be associated with your blood not coagulating properly, easy enough for your doctor to test for (blood test of course), other than that I’d be WAGing, I’ve not heard of new bruising years after a venipuncture. I would like to know the results if you do see a doc,
Larry RN
SoMoMom, I would recommend that you show these bruises to a doc, and sooner rather than later.
Tiny bruises (red/purple spots usually just a few millimeters in size) are called petechiae, and MAY represent a very low platelet count or other clotting disorder. Platelets are small blood cells which help form blood clots.
Petechiae can also occur from blood vessels bursting under pressure - some people have this happen from something as simple as a blood pressure machine.
If you are experiencing other signs of bleeding abnormalities (profuse bleeding from the gums, heavy menstrual periods, easy bruising from minimal trauma) this should be checked out within 24 hours; otherwise sometime this week would be reasonable.
Sue from El Paso
Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.
Ok, this is the first day I could have done anything. I had to take care of my daughter after her surgery yesterday. Ok, so bleeding gums may not just mean that I need a good cleaning because I have no dental insurance. And put that together with these strange bruises that didn’t come from an injury and I should at least ask a dr. Got it!
The bruises are almost completely gone today.
Gums usually bleed because you don’t floss enough. Floss daily. If you can…one of those things with getting older.
[[Gums usually bleed because you don’t floss enough. Floss daily. If you can…one of those things with getting older.]]
Gums also bleed from periodontal disease and other causes.
Just got back from seeing the NP. She said my gums look healthy and said that vitamin C might help me have better vascular health and therefore less bleeding when I brush my teeth. She was also concerned about my feet swelling. (Nobody mentioned that one.) She drew some blood to send to the lab to test for thyroid problems, blood clotting factor problems, or anemia. I have a follow-up with the dr. next week.
I’m glad I asked because I would have just ignored it. I had an excuse for everything except those itty-bitty bruises in the crook of my arm.