Not sure how to describe this, rash?

[Xtriple129]

Bit of background. I'm 55, not in the best of health (lots of painkillers and antidepressants) I have AS and chronic depression and have for thirty odd years, so not new.
What I'm asking about is my skin.
If I have an itch on my arms, scratch it (as you do) I get what appears to be blood staining under the skin. Not painful in any way, not raised, just ugly. It will last as long as a normal bruise (weeks) but it's not the colour of a bruise. My right forearm is covered in purple blotches from the other night when I was absent mindedly itched it. If the dog paws me, I have purple wheels down my arm where he's caught me.
Also, the skin itself (predominantly on my arms) seems to have gone odd: it creases and wrinkles if I bend my arms. I know I'm knocking on, but it didn't do this six months ago.

Any suggestions?

I'm loathe to go to the Doctors with yet ANOTHER complaint as I seem to spend far more time there than my fair allowance.

[10 Pence Short]

Don't be daft- go and see them. You'll need a damn sight more ADs if you regret not having dealt with a serious problem in proper time. GPs are paid plenty to sit there are deal with patients, so go and use the facility.

[Burrow01]

Go and see the doc - i had some thing similar sounding, diagnosed as a fungal infection, and cleared up within 3 weeks with a cream

[HughS47]

This is a difficult question to offer help for, without a picture. Also, by AS do you meen aortic stenosis?

There are a number of potential things it could be, but does it look like this dermatographism:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatographic_urtica...

Importantly, the symptoms could be related to some of your meds - are you on long-term steroids?

Either way, pop up to your GP who may be able to help.

The most important thing, is that if you are getting unexplained bruising, or petechial spots, get yourself to the GP pronto, you'll want a full blood count and film.