Posttraumatic Punctate Hemorrhage of the Skin: A Better Name Than Black Heel

To the Editor.—  The condition first described by Crissey and Peachey¹ in 1961 under the name "calcaneal petechiae" has since been called "black heel," "plantar chromhidrosis," and "plantar pseudochromhidrosis." The lesion consists of a number of pinpoint- to millimeter-size dark-red to black dots lying deep in the skin. It is asymptomatic and is usually found on the medial or lateral surfaces of the heel, though lesions on the hands have been reported.² The cause has been assumed to be trauma,^2,3 although the preceding trauma has never before been observed.The Figure is a photograph of the finger of one of us (M.L.B.) following a self-inflicted, (but accidental) glancing blow with a hammer. The black dots appeared several days after the trauma was received. The appearance of the lesion is typical for the condition being considered. It healed spontaneously, as they all do.This condition presents no clinical