Differential Diagnosis for Red Papule Prone to Bleeding in a Child
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Hemangioma: A common benign vascular tumor in children, often presenting as a red papule that can bleed easily due to its vascular nature.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Pyogenic Granuloma: A type of skin lesion that appears as a red, bleeding papule, often in response to injury or infection.
- Wart (with bleeding): Certain types of warts, especially those caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), can appear as red papules and may bleed if irritated or scratched.
- Angiokeratoma: A benign skin lesion that can appear as a small, red, bleeding papule due to the presence of dilated blood vessels close to the skin surface.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Malignant Tumor (e.g., basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma): Although rare in children, any bleeding skin lesion warrants consideration of malignancy to ensure early detection and treatment.
- Insect Bite or Sting Reaction: Certain reactions to insect bites or stings can cause red, bleeding papules, and it's crucial to identify these to manage potential allergic reactions.
- Bleeding Disorder (e.g., hemophilia): A child with a bleeding disorder may exhibit easy bleeding from minor skin lesions, making it essential to consider underlying coagulopathies.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Kaposi's Sarcoma: A rare cancer that can cause red, bleeding lesions, more commonly associated with immune suppression.
- Tufted Angioma: A rare, benign vascular tumor that can present as a red, bleeding papule.
- Glomuvenous Malformation: A rare vascular anomaly that can cause red, bleeding skin lesions due to the abnormal formation of blood vessels.