Petechiae are tiny red, flat spots that appear on your skin. They’re caused by bleeding. They sometimes appear in clusters and may look like a rash. If you have tiny red, purple, or brown spots on your skin, they could be petechiae. They're not a disease, but a symptom.

Petechiae are tiny spots of bleeding under the skin. They can be caused by a simple injury, straining or more serious conditions. If you have pinpoint-sized red dots under your skin that spread quickly, or petechiae plus other symptoms, seek medical attention.

Petechiae are tiny purple, red, or brown spots on the skin. They usually appear on your arms, legs, stomach, and buttocks. You might also find them inside your mouth or on your eyelids. These pinpoint spots can be a sign of many different conditions — some minor, others serious. They can also appear as a reaction to certain medications.

Petechiae happens when tiny blood vessels under the surface of this skin (capillaries) suddenly break open, causing a group of tiny red, brown, or purple dots to form. Petechiae is not a condition by itself; it’s a symptom of other health problems such as bacterial meningitis, blood-clotting disorders, sepsis, and leukemia.