A Case of Calcaneal Petechiae in a Child

Calcaneal petechiae (black heel) is a traumatic lesion affecting the back or posterolateral aspect of the heel. An asymptomatic, pigmented, macular lesion is found on one or both heels immediately above the hyperkeratotic border of the foot. It is caused by any sport, such as basketball, tennis, or football, that leads to slamming of the foot against the shoe. Calcaneal petechiae is probably more common than is realized. As it is usually symptomless, it may be disregarded or only observed by chance. The importance of the lesion lies in its clinical resemblance to a malignant melanoma. We report a case of calcaneal petechiae which was confused clinically with a melanoma.