Petechia are very tiny, pinpoint, irregular round bumps that often appear on the skin as an effect of bacterial infection.
Bacteria usually cause the petechiae to appear dark purple, brown or red. Petechia (PEH-tohs-ees) often appear in groups and do not form a rash when touched.
There is no definite relationship between bacterial infections and petechial rash, but bacterial infection can often be a contributing factor. When a cat becomes infected with a bacteria called Feline Leukemia Virus, the virus will cause petechiae. Feline Leukemia Virus is a type of leukemia and cats who have been infected with it are at risk of developing betcha. When cats have this disease, petchia often appear on their fur. However, the petchia caused by Feline Leukemia Virus is more common on cats.
Bacterial infections, if they occur frequently, can result in a thick, white film on the skin. This thickening and whitening can be described as a “petechial rash”. In cats, these rashes are seen mostly on the chin, back, chest, and belly.
They are often accompanied by itching and soreness. In humans, they are seen on the neck, shoulders, elbows, knees, and lower abdomen.
Petchia on the face are generally very easy to identify because they tend to be raised and red. The presence of petechiae on the face does not always mean that there is a bacterial infection, however. For example, some cases of petechiae on the face are caused by allergic reactions to certain foods, cosmetics, or chemicals. In some cases, cats who have had surgery will develop petechiae after having healed from the surgery.
Petchia usually has a rough texture and tends to stick to the cat’s skin. They are similar to cottage cheese in that they can easily be separated into layers. If you squeeze a petchia, you may be able to see individual flakes of dead skin. If the petunia is moistened, they may be easier to clean.
Petchias can become irritated if they are scratched or rubbed too much.
You may notice that your cat’s scratching may become less frequent after a few days. Petchia can become red, scaly, and appear irritated in the morning.
When petunia is left untreated, it can become chronic and thick and red. If you have a feline, then you may notice petechial rash around the head and neck or chest and the neck area, but sometimes on other parts of the body. The area affected may become extremely irritated when wet.
If the condition is left untreated, some home remedies for petchia are available. There are many over the counter medications and prescription medications that can be used to reduce the inflammation and provide some relief. Applying a topical ointment or using anti-biotic ointments may be helpful. Creams containing cortisone and vitamin E have also been shown to help reduce the inflammation and itching. Some people also find relief by using a medicated bath or steam to treat their petchia.