Itchy red dots on arm from heating pad?scratching? - Skin Problems Message Board

Rafael02 · 12-30-2004, 03:53 AM

If anyone would be able to help me I would GREATLY appreciate it. I had a problem with achy arms after carrying extremely heavy luggage though the airport during the Christmas holiday. The day after I got home I used a wrap on both my arms and used a heating pad. Things were ok that night but the next night I didnt wrap up my arm first and placed the heating pad on high directly onto my arm. I didn't keep it on there very long though because I felt it starting to burn and itch at the same time...Needless to say, I scratched the area quite a bit. When I woke up this morning I had an area on my arm that had bright red dots on it, almost like I had broken some capilliarys or something.This occurred in the same spot I had scratched. Does anyone know what this could be? Should it just go away on its own? I'm super scared that a more serious problem is at hand. Any input would be appreciated.Thanks!

kitkat77 · 12-30-2004, 10:34 AM

{removed} All of us staff have had these bright red dots on our arms and wondered what the heck it was! We discovered that they are caused by lifting as the spots only appeared on our forearms, where in contact with the object lifted. Also we noticed that if there was clothing or anything between skin on skin we are guaranteed to get these marks, probably the combination of friction and lifting. Sometimes these dots would get extremely itchy too, especially if the resident was wearing a nylon sweater! They go away in a day or 2 and are harmless. Next time try and get a trolley for your luggage!

kerry1 · 01-01-2005, 05:14 PM

Yup. Once I sat in a too-hot hot tub and my legs started itching like crazy. I scratched and scratched, and the next day I noticed little "hemorrhages" under the skin of my legs. I had scratched them WAY too hard. They did go away.