What causes ruptured facial blood vessels around the eyes after vomiting, also known as periorbital petechiae or subconjunctival hemorrhage?

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Last updated: March 9, 2025View editorial policy

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Differential Diagnosis for Popped Facial Blood Vessels around Eyes after Vomiting

  • Single Most Likely Diagnosis

    • Petechiae or subconjunctival hemorrhage due to increased venous pressure: This is the most likely diagnosis because vomiting can lead to a sudden increase in venous pressure, causing small blood vessels in the face, especially around the eyes, to rupture.
  • Other Likely Diagnoses

    • Dehydration: Severe vomiting can lead to dehydration, which may cause blood vessels to become more fragile and prone to rupture.
    • Hypertension: Pre-existing hypertension could be exacerbated by the act of vomiting, leading to increased pressure on blood vessels.
    • Trauma: Forceful vomiting could potentially cause minor trauma to the facial area, leading to blood vessel rupture.
  • Do Not Miss Diagnoses

    • Subarachnoid hemorrhage: Although less likely, a sudden and severe increase in intracranial pressure due to vomiting could potentially lead to a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is a medical emergency.
    • Brain tumor or mass: Increased intracranial pressure due to a tumor or mass could cause vomiting and lead to blood vessel rupture.
    • Coagulopathy: An underlying bleeding disorder could predispose an individual to blood vessel rupture with minimal trauma, such as that caused by vomiting.
  • Rare Diagnoses

    • Amyloidosis: A rare condition where abnormal proteins (amyloid) accumulate in various tissues, including blood vessels, making them more susceptible to rupture.
    • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: A group of disorders that affect connective tissues supporting the skin, bones, blood vessels, and many other organs and tissues, potentially leading to easy bruising and blood vessel rupture.
    • Scurvy: A disease resulting from vitamin C deficiency, which can cause blood vessel fragility among other symptoms.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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