what are these marks?

[rosierapunzel]

Hi all!

I've noticed some purple marks on my arm this morning. They weren't there last night and I haven't had anything like this previously. Where they are my arm feels uncomfortable, dull and occasionally tingly. I have been feeling a bit run down lately.

Any suggestions?

[wiccamum]

Oooh, are they itchy? Could be cholinergic urticaria...or heat rash as it's commonly known. Did you wear something with sleeves in bed, or something that might have bunched around your arm and caused it to get a bit hot and sweaty? Also, if you wore something tight, it might also account for the dull sensation. Feeling run down might be completely unrelated, but if you have been feeling low for a while then it might be worth seeing your practice nurse for some routine blood tests, just make sure you're not a bit anaemic. Have a ☕️ and some 🍰 from me x

[rosierapunzel]

Thanks for the reply! No they're not itchy. Just feel uncomfortable and achy more than anything. I wore my usual short sleeve tshirt and pyjama bottoms to bed. I do have low iron levels, could this be related?

[wiccamum]

Not sure, the only red marks related to low iron levels that I've known tend to be little red dots, and they generally appear on lower legs. I'm scratching my head here, the only other thing I can think of is maybe a plant allergy (oak allergies can look like this) or an insect bite. Anyone else got a clue?

[wiccamum]

Ok, only other thing I can think of is Petechiae (pronounce pe-tee-kay, or something like that). It might be tempting for you to google it and get loads of really scary information about blood disorders, please don't do this and freak yourself out!!! The dull sensation is interesting, get it checked out by a proper Dr who can see it IRL, I'm only a nurse looking at pictures of it on line...not that Doctors always know more than nurses mind! ( folds arm and hoiks up bosom defensively)

[HyacinthBouquetNo1]

Looks like you have had something tight around the arm, maybe clothing or sheets? it creates a lovebite type mark

[rosierapunzel]

I've not had anything right around my arm. I've been wearing t-shirts for the past few weeks. I'm puzzled myself. Thank you for your help! It's much appreciated. I might get it checked out by GP just in case.

[sadie9]

Carrying heavy shopping bags in the crook of your arm in the past 48hrs? Is the lower arm or upper arm? If lower arm it is exactly where handle of a bag would sit or a tight cuff if sleeves pulled up.

[rosierapunzel]

I've not had anything right around my arm. I've been wearing t-shirts for the past few weeks. I'm puzzled myself. Thank you for your help! It's much appreciated. I might get it checked out by GP just in case.

[rosierapunzel]

No not carried anything within the last two days, not any heavy shopping bags anyway. Bit of a mystery! They seem to be going a darker purple now.

• sorry for the previous repost

[MauriceMoss]

I get this from carrying DS2's car seat. I was convinced I had a terrible illness until I realised

[Le1890]

I get this will low iron/ low b12

It's not meant to be a traditional symptom but for me it definitely is. Sometimes it can mean low platlets but I got bloods done and both times normal.

As someone else said it can sometimes happen if you have been lifting something heavy or for me I can get it if if had a handbag on that part of my arm.....

X

[rosierapunzel]

Those who have had them do they fade?

[FoggyMorn]

Go to your GP. If you have any more of these "spots" photograph them too as they fade quite quickly and may be gone in a day or two (they will fade to brownish and look like freckles by the end of the day).

They are not spots, but small bleeds from your capillaries - you need to find out why that's happening. It can often be an immune/autoimmune reaction to recent infection, but there are a lot of potentially serious causes that need to be ruled out.

Phone your GP surgery and tell them you have a non-blanching rash (plus any other symptoms).

[rosierapunzel]

Okay, thank you. I booked an appointment yesterday. Yesterday I felt really ill and was suffering from, hot and cold sweats and feeling dizzy.

[wiccamum]

I know everyone is talking about the referendum result, but are you ok? Any news from the doctor?

[rosierapunzel]

Late reply! Sorry. Doctors think it is related to my iron levels. They are extremely low and so they have upped my iron tablets. Hoping this dies the trick.