Petechiae are pinpoint round spots that occur on the skin as a result of bleeding. The bleeding causes the petechiae to appear red, brown, or purple.

They commonly appear in clusters and may look like a rash. They are usually flat to the touch, and they won’t lose color when you press them. Sometimes they appear on the inside of the eyelids or mouth.

They are common and can be caused by a number of conditions from minor to serious. Tiny blood vessels called capillaries, link the smallest part of your arteries to your veins. Petechiae appear when these capillaries bleed, leaking blood into the skin.

Prolonged straining, from coughing, vomiting, giving birth and lifting heavy weights may cause petechiae.

Some medications may cause petechiae including phenytoin, penicillin and quinine.

Petechiae can also result from some bacterial, fungal or viral infections such as cytomegalovirus infection, endocarditis, meningococcaemia, mononucleosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, scarlet fever and sepsis.

There is no treatment for petechiae.