Hi, I am a woman in my 20s with no known medical conditions. I have made an appointment with a doctor to ask about this, so I am just trying to get an idea of what I may be dealing with before I go. Over the last year, I have noticed small pinpoint red blood dots on my skin. Most of them blanch when pressure is applied; a few on my arm do not blanch. I read that this is a symptom of anemia, leukemia, and some other scary conditions. I am concerned that the doctor may diagnose them immediately as Campbell de Morgan spots because I don't have insurance and am going to a free clinic. I'm worried that they may not do a CBC and other tests because I have no money. Does anyone know if free clinics provide blood work? Here are the symptoms I DON'T have: shortness of breath, excessive bleeding or bleeding gums, rectal bleeding, nose bleeds( bleeding period except the dots, which only bleed if I scrape at them with my nail). My nails, gums, and undereye tissue is not too pale. I have always had very light skin, and it is still that way now. I feel normal, just really stressed out a lot (family problems). I quit eating meat about 4 months ago, but take vitamins and try to eat enough protein. Does this sound like anemia (or another disease) or Campbell de Morgan spots? Are Campbell de Morgan spots moles or vascular clusters under the skin? I have no fever or infections that I know of. Thank you very much. I was once told I had iron deficiency when I went to donate blood 6 years ago, but that was due to poor diet at the time. I appreciate your answers!

It could be just your diet or stress. Free clinics do, do blood work as long as they are reputable in the neighborhood. If they don't you can go to a hospital ER they have to take everyone insurace or not.

You said "DON'T have: shortness of breath, excessive bleeding or bleeding gums, rectal bleeding, nose bleeds( bleeding period except the dots, which only bleed if I scrape at them with my nail). My nails, gums, and undereye tissue is not too pale. I have always had very light skin, and it is still that way now. I feel normal, just really stressed out a lot (family problems)."

With this information I doubt it's anything except stress. When you're stressed you tend to either over eat or under eat so make sure you eat just enough. It's good that you're taking vitamins but sometimes you're body just takes a while to adjust to new things.

It's a good idea to go to the doctors just to make sure you don't have anything bad.

Thank you so much. I will still go to the doctor to be safe, but your answer has helped me calm down a little! :)

Just thought of something are your lymph nodes swollen or tender at all?

No they aren't. What does that mean if they are? I have a little hard spot on my underarm area, but I already had it looked at, and the doc said I was just feeling a rib or something pushing up.

This really could be a ton of different disorders. It is impossible to even give you a guess over the internet. Labs will most definitely need to be taken along with a complete history and physical.

I wish I could help you more, but there really is now way.

I know, (sigh) I'm just stressing right now. I go to the doc on Monday. Hopefully, nothing is wrong. I'm just extra worried because of the other problem I posted about. Oh, well, I guess I will find out then. Doesn't waiting for medical tests suck? Lol. My mom died of cancer, so I'm saw leukemia on a list of possible causes and FREAKED big time! But, I know there are a billion different causes, so I can't let myself get all worked up about something I may not even have. Well, thanks to all for your time and answers. I will let you know what it is when I find out, if it's anything.

Yes, as a cancer survivor myself, I know how to play the waiting game.

This all could be tied together as some sort of infection, for example. How long ago was your boyfriend tested for STDs? Some are asymptomatic until they get in the late stages.

Well, he was tested about 3 months ago, and then 5 years ago when we first started sleeping together. So, I know he didn't have anything back then or 3 mo. Ago. But, I have had frequent infectons for the last couple months. I did go to the doc in July because I had swollen lymph nodes (I kept getting swollen ones in my neck, but I had the flu too). I was prescribed an antibiotic, which I didn't take because I couldn't afford it. (didn't know about the free clinic then). I keep breaking out with little sore spots (not zits, there is no white or blackhead). They itch and are a little sore. I am asking the doc about MHRSA because it has been going around here. I wonder if that might be the infection. I am being very careful in the meantime to not give it to anyone if it is the staph (esp. boyfriend).

Where are you breaking out with the spots? MRSA is the actual name of the infection. If you did not take the antibiotic this could be a systemic response to whatever bacteria you had in July. It is IMPERATIVE that you take antibiotics when prescribed.

Here's just an example:

If you have strep throat and don't take your antibiotics, sure the pain of the sore throat will subside, but you will get a condition called Rheumatic Fever that will permanently damage your heart.

When an antibiotic is prescribed it is prescribed for a bacteria that your body cannot fight off on its own. It NEEDS something to kill it. Antibiotics are not prescribed for viruses because our body can defend itself against viruses, but not other invaders such as bacteria.

This may be part of your problem.

I once had similar red dots, even have a few right now. My doctor says they are the Campbell de Morgan spots. In my case, I am healthy, and she says that the spots are just a sign of skin aging. But, it's really hard to tell what kind of spots they are, and what causes them without a physical, like J_9 said. From what I read, you do need to see a doctor, so I'm glad you have an appointment set up. If you think you may have MRSA, let the doctors and nurses know that as soon as you go in. Make sure you tell them that you didn't take the antibiotic. I know it's hard to wait on a doctor's appointment when you are worried. Trust me, I've been there, girl! I just had a breast lump looked at and was sooo scared, and it turned out to be a totally benign thing. I know it can be scary when you don't know what is going on with your body. But, you have already taken an important step by making an appointment. Good for you! Try not to worry too much. Look at it this way-if there is something wrong, it may or may not be serious. Even if it is serious, getting treatment right away can really help. You don't know what is going on yet, so don't stress. You may need some tests done. Just because they tell you that you need tests doesn't mean that you are deathly ill or anything. They are just being very careful and checking for everything that could be wrong. So, if they tell you that, don't worry. Also, I believe my doctor said that the Campbell de Morgan spots are little clusters of veins (maybe I should say capillaries? The little ones :) ) under the skin. IF that is what the red dots are, many people have them and there are places that remove them if you don't like how they look. If the dots are caused by bleeding into the skin, they will probably test you blood. Also, don't worry about whether they will give you needed tests. If they can't do it at the clinic, they will refer you to another place. They won't tell you that there is something wrong and then not do anything about it. If a person needs emergency medical care, they will get it. If the tests aren't free, or if your bill is based off your income, then if you can't pay there may be financial aid. I'm sure if you talk to the people, they will reassure you that you will get the care you need. I have been to a free clinic before. Everyone was REALLY nice and they made me feel comfortable right away. Don't worry about money. IF something is wrong, they will find help for you. If they won't, there are charities that will. That is why many medical treatment places have social workers who help people apply for financial aid, etc. I hope everything is OK with you. Like I said, try not to stress, OK? If you need medical help it will be there. So take a deep breath, and try to enjoy your weekend. God bless!

If she had MRSA she would know it. It is EXTREMELY painful.

How easy does that stuff spread? I work in sales and I'm worried about getting it from handling people's money. (not to mention that some of the people I deal with aren't exactly the cleanest out there, lol). I will have to look for posts about it and find out.

You can't get it from handling their money Peggy, that is very rare. You must actually come into contact with the germ on the human host.

Well, that's a relief! I didn't think you could. So many people come into the store coughing and sneezing all over everything, that I get more colds now than before! I think I use more Lysol spray than anyone I know! But, I was just wondering because we seem to be having a real epidemic around here. Several kids from the high schools have been hospitalized. I'll have to pass that info on to the people I work with. They were worried about it. I told them that as long as we all wash our hands and use plenty of disinfectant spray, we'll be fine. Thanks again.

mary44, a free clinic saved my neices life, she was botched up by a doctor from a not so free hosptial and then went to a free/low income clinic that did everything to help her and sent her to the university hospital which saved her life. So give them a chance they are there to help you. I don't think you will be short changed on your inability to pay.

Swollen nodes can be a ton of things, but if you have them that is usually a sign of infection (lymphoma, strep, even mono, all are very different though)... not stress. If you don't have them now and haven't had them in a while then I wouldn't be worried.
Have you tried going to webmd or anything like that. Sometimes it's only annoying because you can't tell it your exact symptoms, but you never know it might help ease your mind a little.