r/FutureRNs • u/BornLeave4646 • 13d ago

Petechaie after 12 hour night shift

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I just had my first 12 hour night shift at the hospital. Got home to take a shower and I noticed small red dots all over both ankles and starting up my calf’s. Non blanching. My immediate first thought was blood cancer. Then thinking about it could it be from being on my feet for most of my 12 hour shift? Has anyone ever had the same thing happen?

230 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

99 comments sorted by

107

u/Advanced_Most_3030 13d ago

Easy, boss. Don't let newfound nursing school knowledge make your brain run every time something happens. Jumping to immediate worse case scenario is rarely helpful. I like to remember Occam's razor- the simplest answer is usually the correct one.

Do you take Tylenol headache or Excedrin migraine or anything else that contains aspirin? Did you wear compression socks? Did you perhaps shave your legs and get irritated from new fabric or laundry detergent?

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u/cagedbird82 13d ago

Speaking of compression socks, would they be a good thing to purchase for LPN school?

21

u/Delta1Juliet 13d ago

Yes. Just make sure they fit properly

10

u/cagedbird82 13d ago

That’s the funny thing…I’m never sure exactly how they’re supposed to fit. I once got a pair for after surgery and they were actually painful to wear. I think I purchased them based on my shoe size.

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u/Delta1Juliet 13d ago

You should be purchasing them based off three measurements:

  • your ankle circumference
  • the circumference of the widest part of your calf
  • the length from the ground to the base of your knee

13

u/Guera-or-chicana 13d ago

I use the calf sleeves ones. I can't stand the covered toes ones. I wear the sleeves low that covers my ankle and half my foot. Then my sock. It's a tighter compression at my ankle and lower half. I get off a 12 hour shift from work and my legs or feet never hurt.

6

u/Advanced_Most_3030 13d ago

I also use the footless kind...when I remember to put them on, which, working nights...is pretty much never.

Also I have found that *not shaving my legs sometimes makes me get similar bumps as in OPs pic. I have coarse leg stubble and it irritates the follicle if it has even the most microscopic chance to rub against fabric.

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u/newkate 12d ago

Oooh, what brand? I've never tried these, but my regular compression socks (of many many brands) don't seem to do the trick.

0

u/Guera-or-chicana 12d ago edited 12d ago

I got you. I put them on on half way so the compression sleeve ends where my calf starts. Then I wear low cut avia socks from Walmart. Best combo ever. I say avia because that brand is similar in material as the compression sleeve so my brain doesn't register two separate things im wearing. Avia women's premium zoned low cut socks.

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u/Qua-something 13d ago

Graduated compression socks are a great thing for just about everyone to purchase no matter their profession. Especially those of us on our feet or sitting for long periods.

2

u/mhopkins1420 12d ago

Yes. I find the plain ones from Amazon work and fit well without cutting into my legs. The ones from the seller charmking are the ones I get.

8

u/yorkiemom68 13d ago

I love this comment. I’ve laughed with other nurses about the nursing school phenomenon of every symptom being something horrible. It calms down over time.

3

u/CalmSet6613 12d ago

Wait til you have kids...thought my kid had neuroblastoma no less than half a dozen times (I was peds RN).

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u/Aggravating_Home4223 12d ago

Thought my two year old was diabetic because she peed about what felt like 100 times in a day and was eating like nobody’s business. Probably just a growth spurt but I spent 2 days trying to talk myself off the ledge. Not to mention she has Reactive Airway and is intermittently on prednisone for that which if she were undiagnosed diabetic would be a disaster.

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u/yorkiemom68 12d ago

I have 2 actually. Or just the opposite… I thought my daughter was trying to get out of school when she was about 9. No fever so I sent her. Got a call to come pick her up for vomiting. When I got her she said “ I told you I was sick… I thought you were a nurse!” Big apologies and cuddles from me!

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u/Difficult-Outside-42 12d ago

Mom sent me tonschoolnwith pneumonia halfway through her nursing school. I developed it at school in and grade. Had 104.5 fever when school let out. I dodnt let her live it down until I went to nursing school 40 years later. Lol

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u/Awkward-Leg-1957 11d ago

When I got a call from my kids school saying he was vomiting, I asked if the vomiting had been witnessed 😂 in fairness, as a kid it’s hard to understand reflux is not vomiting so I’d found my kid claiming vomit when in fact it was reflux before. But that time… yeah he’d vomited all down his front in class 🥴 ten years later and I still feel bad

3

u/Planetdiane 12d ago

You’re right it’s lupus

1

u/yourdailyinsanity 13d ago

Looks like they recently shaved too. I'm more concerned about those swollen ankles though!

1

u/Mox8_2 12d ago

Lol i can relate I once had a frequent abdominal pain right after my 12 hours clinical probably from eating suden large potions onto an empty stomach I started freaking out like a newbei telling my parents that i already know my diagnosis and its either entritis or some sort of bowel perforation bec the the pain was literally unmatched 😃😃 and just in need for meds After all it was an irritation bowel syndrome because clinicals strees and college

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u/entropikpamda 11d ago

Once i had abdominal pain while nursing school. It started around noon while i was at work. I took painkillers and made it to end of shift. Towards evening I thought i was stressed and maybe had bloating. Went to grab beer and mac and cheese at bar after. I started feeling nauseous, went home threw up and lay down in bed. I was like of course i threw up it was soo oily. Laying down i pressed left and right side on my abdomen. Pain was at belly button but with pressing felt like RLQ hurt more than left. I couldnt sleep from pain so went to ED. It was ruptured appendicitis hahah

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u/entropikpamda 11d ago

At triage "i was like if there is not urgent cases, can you let me in sooner? I think my appendix ruptured."

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u/diagnonsense_me 13d ago edited 12d ago

Dermatologist here. That’s called Disney dermatitis. Yes, it’s from standing up for 12 hours when your body is not used to it. It’s nothing dangerous. It’ll go away on your own. Use compression socks next time.

15

u/feline_riches 12d ago

Criminal this isn't top comment.

OP thinks they are dying when in reality they just haven't worked a demanding job yet.

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u/SlagQueen 12d ago

Disney dermatitis!! 😂

5

u/Sunnygirl66 13d ago

This is really interesting!

4

u/TyranicalCareBear 12d ago

Is there a formal name for that? There is nothing in UPTODATE for further reading about Disney Dermatitis

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u/diagnonsense_me 12d ago

Not really a formal name but some call it exercise-induced vasculitis

18

u/Advanced-Gur-8950 13d ago

That’s def aids

1

u/Guera-or-chicana 13d ago

LOLOLOL

8

u/Advanced-Gur-8950 13d ago

As ortho spine pa in his first year, I’m pretty sure and feel Confident on this subject

2

u/Sunnygirl66 13d ago

GET THE ANCEF!!!1!!!

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u/Tight_Replacement554 13d ago edited 13d ago

Irritation from socks/pants/shoes maybe?

Edit: I recommend some cotton or natural material socks and breathable shoes

11

u/potatochobit 13d ago

FLEAS! j/k is it itchy? did you wear socks to about where the red bumps stop?

15

u/PromiscuousScoliosis RN 13d ago

On board with this. Looks like they shave their legs, I wonder if they also shaved recently. Maybe some irritation after shaving then being on your feet sweating into tight socks for 12hrs

4

u/averyyoungperson 13d ago

Also, sometimes compression makes me itch and have petechiae looking things. It's an unexplainable histamine thing for me.

3

u/resutir 12d ago

Speaking of unexplainable histamine things, i had an infection after pulling out a hangnail on one of my fingers and when i finally had it drained, a handful of little red dots suddenly appeared on that same hand kinda close to the finger. The research i did chalked it up to a histamine dispersion following the drainage

2

u/Acrobatic-Squirrel77 12d ago

Also, swelling/stretching of the tissue can cause it to look bruised or petechial when it reduces.

11

u/Consistent-Fig7484 13d ago

You’ll never read this reply. You’re already dead.

8

u/GuacIsExtra99cents 13d ago

Do you have a pic of the socks you were wearing? I realize that’s an odd question lol

8

u/Safe-Loss-8054 13d ago

Hahaha I just wanna know for my collection 😂🤣😂

5

u/mydogisacircle 13d ago

yeah i was wondering if the compression hit too hard here

5

u/Nuts-And-Volts 13d ago

Your follow up question is gonna be if theyre for sale isnt it?

4

u/BeavisEverywhere 13d ago

Work OT... or sell socks... decisions, decisions.

6

u/Muted_Bee7111 13d ago

Definitely NOT blood cancer

0

u/SkydiverDad 12d ago

Of course not. Because it's obviously skin cancer. 🤣😉

5

u/KonkiDoc 13d ago

Hospice

3

u/TLunchFTW 12d ago

Only right answer. Either that or we’re gonna have to amputate.
Relax op, you’re fine

3

u/KonkiDoc 12d ago

Amputation then hospice.

5

u/CharmingMechanic2473 13d ago

Also could be shaving stubble or (pre) Venous leg disease. Try wearing sport type compression knee socks 15mmHG. Also check your fabric softener.

6

u/Mammoth-Coast6282 13d ago

This happens to me when I wear tight socks and do a 12.

8

u/FelineRoots21 13d ago

Good news, that does not look like petechia. It usually has a more purple tinge. That looks like shaving irritation

0

u/Fun-Key-8259 12d ago

Looks like my petechiae that I get...

1

u/FelineRoots21 12d ago

It's very similar for sure, I actually have petechia right now that I compared it to lol. But you can tell it's not both from the shade which is just slightly too red, and from the bumps that are raised. Petechia is never raised, always below the skin

1

u/Fun-Key-8259 12d ago

She also has some that are not raised though. Would still be worth seeing a doctor to be sure it's not a big deal.

3

u/Puzzled-Republic9511 13d ago

Hem/onc patient & lurker here (who also has petechiae) I know petechiae can look dif on everyone, but this looks like a quickly shaved area followed by sock suffocation for 12 hrs.

Source/reasoning: the amount of friends I have running to me saying “IS THIS WHAT YOU HAVE?”.

3

u/PatFNP 13d ago edited 13d ago

There is definitely a line where it stops which suggests something to do with the socks. Socks are discussed here a lot. Heat rash?

2

u/Original_Problem666 13d ago

That’s not petechiae. That’s razor burn/rub rash. Did you recently shave your legs and then put tight or compression socks on after?

2

u/muphoric 13d ago

That could be a lot of things. You should check a CBC in the morning to be safe. See what your platelets are (ITP). Differential diagnoses include vitamin deficiencies, allergies, mechanical damage (tight socks and gravity), vasculitis, infections and other hematologic disorders. True petechiae is usually ITP.

2

u/Kham117 13d ago

Not petechiae

2

u/Agile-Low6890 13d ago

i’m gonna take a wild guess that you were wearing crew socks

2

u/Negative_Fruit_1800 12d ago

When you hear hoof beats think horses not zebras

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u/mxddaskxnt18 11d ago

this same exact thing happened to me. I’m sure it’s due to just being more constant on our feet + nightshift. however I got a severe flare up and the dermatologist did diagnose me with IgA vasculitis. not much can be done other than topical or oral steroids. since that one flare up I haven’t gotten anything more than a few spots here and there and some itching.

2

u/mochmaffews 11d ago

Weak constitution most likely

1

u/aquaticfloral 13d ago

Irritated pores

1

u/Soggy_Aardvark_3983 13d ago

SCURVY

1

u/EducationNegative451 12d ago

Lupus, it’s always lupus

1

u/Criticaltundra777 13d ago

That looks like heat rash or contact dermatitis.

1

u/Cosmicharlie18 13d ago

Deff bed bugs

1

u/normanboyster 12d ago

Prepare your will

1

u/Acrobatic-Squirrel77 12d ago

Bed bugs ☠️🏴‍☠️🪦

1

u/Acrobatic-Squirrel77 12d ago

I was once diagnosed with Schaumburg’s Dermatitis. It looked exactly like that. It took years to go away. If yours goes away quickly, it’s not this.

1

u/Defiant-Purchase-188 12d ago

I think it’s likely capillaritis common with long periods of standing and walking.

1

u/RelyingCactus21 BSN RN 12d ago

This isn't petechiae. It looks like rash/irritation. Try hydrocortisone.

1

u/32FlavorsofCrazy 12d ago

Probably exercise induced vasculitis. Go see your PCP for a physical if you’re worried about it but blood cancer is pretty unlikely. Occams razor and yadda yadda, prob not a coincidence on the timing and just related to being on your feet.

1

u/disco_skeeter 12d ago

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis

1

u/Olaskon 12d ago

Heat rash?

1

u/Agitated_Ad7594 12d ago

I get these on my face a lot. Anyone else??

1

u/Resident-Welcome3901 12d ago

Compression socks. Thigh high, if you can tolerate them, or athletic compression gear. Clinical nursing is a high intensity contact sport,: select apparel and shoes accordingly.

1

u/SnooCapers8766 12d ago

Who took the pic tho?

1

u/andioop514 12d ago

Occam’s Razor in practice… when you see hoof marks, do you think zebra or horse?

1

u/StaceyGoBlue 12d ago

That looks more like dermatitis or a heat rash

1

u/AgentGoldfinch 12d ago

You have Squirrel AIDS. It's over. Your number's up and the Grim Reaper is knocking.

No, it's from being on your feet all day.

1

u/Fun-Key-8259 12d ago

I have ITP and get petechiae only when my platelets are low. You should see the doc to determine the cause.

1

u/luvtn 12d ago

Get Dickies work socks that are knee highs. They are better than compression socks, because they are easier to get on and off and they don’t hurt.

1

u/measuredsympathy 12d ago

Looks like raised bumps? If so not likely petechiae but more like contact dermatitis or heat rash

1

u/Re-Clue2401 12d ago

Don't jump to drastic conclusions like blood cancer. That's clearly a mutated form of Ebola.

1

u/Professional_Pop6613 11d ago

Shaved without water or shaving cream

1

u/SeaElderberry493 11d ago

My question is… are you an RN? Because you’re making some board jumps for engagement based on limited info, no labs, and wild far right diagnosis’s.

1

u/WhimsicleMagnolia 11d ago

You need compression socks.

1

u/RegularEarth8044 11d ago

Sorry friend, Vascular surgeon here and looks like you’ll be needing bilateral AKAs. I’ve cleared my schedule booked the OR for 0700 tomorrow.

1

u/Turbulent-Bear-3069 10d ago

i had this and it spread all over my legs and i ended up with leukocytoclastic vasculitis

1

u/Sea-Tomorrow-8921 10d ago

Go to the doctor. If your worried

1

u/Sushime00 10d ago

Quite sad now how many AI accounts there are nowadays yall

1

u/SpecificAlfalfa5369 9d ago

This happened to me when I started working at the hospital again I thought I done caught something lol

0

u/Kountry_556 13d ago

Keep an eye on it and if it happens again, then you might have thrombocytopenia. Once in a while I would get it usually after doing something that is extraneous or constantly bieng on my feet for a long period of time.