When intense emotion leads to prolonged, forceful crying, some individuals notice tiny red dots appearing on their face, particularly around the eyes and cheeks. While this common physical reaction can be alarming, it is typically a normal physiological response to the significant physical strain involved in a strong crying episode. These small marks are a visible sign of temporary pressure changes that occur inside the body when the face clenches and breathing is disrupted. This article explains the underlying mechanism behind these spots.
What Causes the Red Dots
Intense crying is a physically strenuous activity involving significant muscle contraction and often an interruption of normal breathing patterns. When crying forcefully, people frequently clench their facial muscles and may unconsciously hold their breath, similar to performing a Valsalva maneuver. This action causes a rapid increase in pressure within the chest cavity and, consequently, within the blood vessels of the head and neck.
The delicate skin of the face, especially around the eyes, is supplied by a network of extremely fine capillaries. These fragile blood vessels are not designed to withstand a sudden, substantial spike in internal pressure. When the pressure exceeds their structural limit, the weakest capillaries rupture. This rupture allows a minute amount of blood to leak out and pool just beneath the skin’s surface, resulting in the visible red dots. Similar pressure-increasing events, such as violent coughing, severe vomiting, or heavy lifting, can also trigger this reaction.
Identifying the Spots
The small red dots that appear after intense crying are medically termed petechiae. These marks are distinct because they are pinpoint-sized, typically measuring less than 3 millimeters in diameter. Petechiae represent tiny collections of blood that have escaped from broken capillaries and settled into the surrounding tissue, functioning essentially as a very small bruise.
A distinguishing feature of these spots is that they are “non-blanching,” meaning their color does not fade or disappear when pressed. This characteristic confirms the spot is caused by blood outside of a vessel, rather than a temporary dilation of the vessel itself, which would blanch under pressure.
Are These Spots Harmful
Petechiae that result directly from physical strain like crying, coughing, or vomiting are temporary and benign. They are a manifestation of ruptured capillaries and do not indicate a serious health problem in this context. Because the body naturally reabsorbs the small amount of leaked blood, these spots typically fade and disappear completely on their own.
The duration can vary, but most strain-induced petechiae resolve within a few hours to a couple of days as the body breaks down the pooled blood. However, petechiae that appear suddenly, spread quickly, or occur without preceding physical strain warrant a medical consultation. If the spots are accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, confusion, or trouble breathing, it may signal an underlying condition requiring prompt attention.
Reducing Their Appearance
While it is difficult to completely prevent the spots during a highly emotional event, you can take steps to mitigate the intensity of the pressure increase. Trying to consciously regulate your breathing during a crying spell helps reduce the internal strain on your blood vessels. Taking slow, deep breaths, rather than holding your breath or sobbing intensely, can help normalize the pressure in your chest and head.
Gently applying a cool compress or a washcloth dampened with cold water to the affected facial area can help soothe the skin and may reduce inflammation. Avoid aggressively rubbing or scrubbing the face, as this physical trauma can further irritate the delicate capillaries and potentially worsen the spots. Keeping the skin around the eyes and cheeks moisturized may also contribute to overall skin resilience.