h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've got a few little blood blisters on my body, they're about 2mm x 1mm. I scratched one on my arm yesterday by accident and the little bugger bled for hours - yup hours even I was surprised by this. I could finally take the plaster off at about 10pm having started bleeding at around 9am. Could it possibly be anaemia? I'm knackered all the time and, as usual, I'm driving from Heathrow back home today in Southend so I know I'll need to take a nap at Clacket Lane, as I've been doing the last few weeks.

Could they be insect bites? Those little buggers are known to inject anti-coagulants when they nip you - still I wouldn't expect that to last for so many hours. I think a little trip to the GP is in order

No, they seem to come and go, lasting a week or so at a time. They look like bright red blood filled blisters but they are fairly solid. I was trying to avoid a trip to the GP right now as I'm in the middle of a busy period at work and moving house to sunny Basingstoke next weekend Guess I'll just have to make the effort

Sounds like purpura, but I am not a doctor and one of those is what you need - I would say PDQ. If you can't be bothered with your GP - go to casualty. Tell them you were unable to continue driving. They'll need to take blood to check for clotting, if only to rule out certain things..
Good health to you, Spankmunki
W

Just googled purpura, they seem to look like that but I've not got a rash only 2 or 3 of them on me at the moment. I shall refer to my GP

Thanks very much.

My son the student says on the basis of his little learning, that he suspects a clotting disorder, but as always, see your GP...

As a matter of interest, I was born with purpura (little toyotas, I popped one once while sleeping, and I woke in a bed full of blood.)

Yes, concur with all the others here - please get this checked out asap. As Wilma has suggested, if you can't get to see your GP then go to casualty. It sounds like something that requires immediate attention.

So please have it checked out and get back to us, okay?

az

I'm off to the doctors next week now so there's no harm discussing it.

Would a clotting disorder only show itself after 26 years? It would go someway to explaining recent nosebleeds (which normally I would have attributed to a previous rugby related incident) and gum bleeding (despite having fairly healthy teeth and gums before that). Would it also explain the tiredness though?

I would not wait a week. The additional symptoms would suggest there *is* a problem. It can be sorted out, PankMunki, don't worry, but the longer you leave it the more you are exposing yourself to potential complications. Make the time. Go see a doctor. You're no use to anyone in a hospital bed - God forbid.

W

*brings in a gold-plated 'S' on a velvet cushion*

My very own gold plated S?! I'll go to the Saturday surgery tomorrow.

<<------ magic fairy dust for tomorrow.

make sure you tell the doctor everything SPMunki....we need you well

Why not just call NHS direct in the first instance and see if they say you need urgent medical help?

Genius! I can even remember the phone number for that

<>

It really could explain all three, because a clotting disorder might result in anaemia...

Nosebleeds can be from a high BP, which you must have checked! Trust me on this...

*waits*

I had my BP done about 6 months ago 110/70, not bad for a fat bloke NHS Direct time.

Go to a Doctor! He will probably ask for blood exams and family health history.

A genetic disorder may appear early or late in life.

Diet is something of a major condition in bleeding disorders (try take B vitamins, and VitK suplements). In cases of skin pathologies, getting a hydratated gel is always good. There is a very good anti-bleeding gel that is used for small or medium cuts.

Get well