20 Cause of Petechiae and What You Need to Know About Them

7. Reaction To Medication

Petechiae can sometimes develop as a reaction to a medication. The condition will typically resolve or at least stop spreading if individuals stop taking the medication. Antibiotics like penicillin and nitrofurantoin can cause petechiae, but it's important to finish the entire regimen, unless a doctor recommends otherwise. Failing to finish a course of antibiotics can make a bacterial infection return with an immunity to medication. The antidepressant desipramine and anticonvulsant carbamazepine have both been known to cause petechiae. Certain blood thinners like heparin and warfarin can cause the condition, as can the heart rhythm regulator atropine. Naproxen and indomethacin can also lead to petechiae, as can the sedative chloral hydrate. Even if individuals think one of these medications is causing their symptoms, they should still call their doctor to make sure there's not a more serious underlying cause.

8. Vitamin K Deficiency

A vitamin K deficiency is rare in the majority of individuals because vitamin K is plentiful across a wide range of foods. Vitamin K1 is found in plants, particularly kale, spinach, and other leafy greens. Vitamin K2 is created by the body inside the intestinal tract. This vitamin is necessary for blood clotting, which helps prevent excessive internal and external bleeding. If individuals have a vitamin K deficiency, their body might not be able to clot as well, which can lead to blood vessel damage that presents as petechiae and abnormal bruising. Without vitamin K, the body is incapable of creating the proteins that clot the blood. Bleeding too much is the main symptom of vitamin K deficiency. In addition to bruising and petechiae, patients might find they experience nosebleeds, bleeding gums when brushing their teeth, and minor abrasions that bleed for much longer than they usually would. There's also some evidence indicating vitamin K has an effect on bone health, but scientists haven't yet drawn a conclusive link. When vitamin K deficiencies do occur, it's usually due to a medical condition that prevents the body from creating enough vitamin K2. Certain medications can also keep the body from creating or absorbing vitamin K the way it's supposed to.