My upper back has turned into a delicate bruisey flower.
September 3, 2013 8:53 AM Subscribe
Lately I've been getting weird red bruise-like marks on my back, and the things that appear to be causing them aren't painful or rigorous. What's going on? And on a scale of zero to imminent death, how concerned should I be?
When I got home from yoga class on Saturday, I noticed several long, reddish-pink streaks on my shoulders/back, peppered with little red spots (petechiae, I suppose?). They're not purple or blue like serious bruises, and they don't hurt to touch. There's zero swelling or abrasion, so I don't believe they're scrapes or friction burns. They're still visible as of today, but a little faded. Here is a not-great picture of two of the marks after about 24 hours.
I'm certain I got them during the shoulder stand I did in class, since the marks line up with the way my shoulder/back would have been scrunched up. It was the first shoulder stand I'd done in months, but the pose wasn't difficult for me and I felt no discomfort during or after.
In the past few weeks/months, I've occasionally seen similar (but much smaller) bruisey spots on my back, right around the little adjustable slide things on my bra straps. I don't find my bras uncomfortable and don't wear the straps too tight, but I figure maybe I'm leaning against hard surfaces and the slidey things are digging into my back? Nonetheless, that seems like such a minor thing to be leaving marks. I don't know how long this has been going on, just that I started noticing it over the summer. I've shrugged it off, but the recent yoga marks have me wondering if I should be paying attention.
I haven't noticed this happening anywhere other than my upper back. I do have somewhat sensitive skin, but I wouldn't say I bruise easily. And I've gone to numerous yoga classes in the past and never left with strange marks. I'm in good health, and haven't changed any medications recently other than starting a biotin supplement.
I'm not worried, just curious what might be going on.
When I got home from yoga class on Saturday, I noticed several long, reddish-pink streaks on my shoulders/back, peppered with little red spots (petechiae, I suppose?). They're not purple or blue like serious bruises, and they don't hurt to touch. There's zero swelling or abrasion, so I don't believe they're scrapes or friction burns. They're still visible as of today, but a little faded. Here is a not-great picture of two of the marks after about 24 hours.
I'm certain I got them during the shoulder stand I did in class, since the marks line up with the way my shoulder/back would have been scrunched up. It was the first shoulder stand I'd done in months, but the pose wasn't difficult for me and I felt no discomfort during or after.
In the past few weeks/months, I've occasionally seen similar (but much smaller) bruisey spots on my back, right around the little adjustable slide things on my bra straps. I don't find my bras uncomfortable and don't wear the straps too tight, but I figure maybe I'm leaning against hard surfaces and the slidey things are digging into my back? Nonetheless, that seems like such a minor thing to be leaving marks. I don't know how long this has been going on, just that I started noticing it over the summer. I've shrugged it off, but the recent yoga marks have me wondering if I should be paying attention.
I haven't noticed this happening anywhere other than my upper back. I do have somewhat sensitive skin, but I wouldn't say I bruise easily. And I've gone to numerous yoga classes in the past and never left with strange marks. I'm in good health, and haven't changed any medications recently other than starting a biotin supplement.
I'm not worried, just curious what might be going on.
Yup, those are what my swim team buddies used to call "rubbies." They're patches of broken blood vessels caused by the friction of your bra straps. I used to get them all the time. Never did any lasting harm, they're basically hickeys.
posted by restless_nomad at 9:02 AM on September 3, 2013
posted by restless_nomad at 9:02 AM on September 3, 2013
They do look petechial. The way to prove it is to press lightly on them with a finger and see if they blanch (petechiae don't blanch, other types of rashes do).
posted by treehorn+bunny at 9:08 AM on September 3, 2013
posted by treehorn+bunny at 9:08 AM on September 3, 2013
ALSO I tend to bruise more easily on places where I am not used to having my entire body weight balanced. I don't do shoulder stand for neck reasons, but I get more back of the upper arm bruises from regular crow than I do outside of the thigh bruises from side crow, even though I'm jumping into both from plank. So maybe your upper back is just being all WTF MAN since it's been a while?
posted by elizardbits at 9:08 AM on September 3, 2013
posted by elizardbits at 9:08 AM on September 3, 2013
I have thrombocytopenia, which is low platelets. Platelets are part of the blood's clotting mechanism. Low platelets can cause petachiae and easy bruising.
posted by not that girl at 9:12 AM on September 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by not that girl at 9:12 AM on September 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks, y'all, I'm reassured. I do have a doctor appointment for some other stuff this week, so I might as well ask while I'm there, but I won't be surprised if it's not a big deal.
(elizardbits, I do use my own mat, so fortunately for everyone in the class I am a closed ecosystem of grossness.)
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:39 AM on September 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
(elizardbits, I do use my own mat, so fortunately for everyone in the class I am a closed ecosystem of grossness.)
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:39 AM on September 3, 2013 [3 favorites]
I get those on my shoulder from seams in my shirt when I am carrying a bag or backpack and the weight of the bag crosses the seam. I wouldn't think the seams are deep or rigid enough to cause them, but they are. I have no particular health issues that I know of, and have been getting them for many years.
posted by procrastination at 9:44 AM on September 3, 2013
posted by procrastination at 9:44 AM on September 3, 2013
I get those every time I carry a shoulder bag or anything else. I just have soft skin. They always go away and don't scar or anything.
posted by small_ruminant at 10:18 AM on September 3, 2013
posted by small_ruminant at 10:18 AM on September 3, 2013
I have very sensitive skin and get marks like those from friction and abrasion. Do they line up with the clothing you were wearing during your class?
I also seem to get them more often when I'm not eating well (related to iron deficiency anemia?). Perhaps totally unrelated but something to think of when you ask the doctor.
posted by epanalepsis at 12:50 PM on September 3, 2013
I also seem to get them more often when I'm not eating well (related to iron deficiency anemia?). Perhaps totally unrelated but something to think of when you ask the doctor.
posted by epanalepsis at 12:50 PM on September 3, 2013
« Older 1) Hunk o meat; 2) Cook; 3) ??; 4) Profit!! | What is the smell in a Dunkin' Donuts? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
Also, really long shot but do you use your own mat or do you use the studio-provided ones? Maybe you are having some kind of itch reaction to the foot sweat of a thousand strangers?
sorry
posted by elizardbits at 8:56 AM on September 3, 2013 [1 favorite]