Red spots on your skin can be caused by a number of things, and you need to find out the cause in order to treat the spots effectively. In this blog, we will discuss the common causes of red spots on the skin and how to treat them.
What causes small red spots on the skin?
There are many reasons why red spots appear on your skin. Pityriasis rosea, acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, petechiae, and rash are the most common causes. It can be difficult to know that there are so many possible reasons, so let’s break them down.
Pityriasis rosea
Pityriasis rosea is usually a single red spot that is seen for one to two weeks. Depending on your skin tone, the plaque can range from pink to pink.
After the original patch, other spots will appear on your trunk, arms, thighs, and neck. These new patches, called daughter patches, are smaller and oval in shape than their original patches. Patches caused by pityriasis rosea can last up to ten weeks.
Acne
Acne is a very common skin condition that affects millions of Americans. The four types of acne are comedones, papular and pustular, nodular, and cystic acne. Acne is caused by a combination of oiliness, clogged pores, bacteria and inflammation. Acne causes skin discoloration and permanent scarring. Although acne is not harmful, it can affect a person’s self-esteem.
Atopic dermatitis
If you have frequent red spots, you may have atopic dermatitis. It is a skin condition that affects the skin’s ability to protect itself from allergens, irritants, and bacteria. There is no cure for atopic dermatitis, but there are ways to treat the condition and reduce the discomfort caused by the symptoms.
Psoriasis
There are many types of psoriasis that cause red patches on the skin. However, the most common form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis, which affects approximately 6.7 million adults in the United States. Plaque psoriasis is classified as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the percentage of body weight affected.
Petechiae
Even if you don’t know the name petechiae, you may recognize these tiny spots of bleeding under the skin. These spots are not raised or raised and can be purple, red, or brown in color. These red spots on the skin are caused by damaged blood vessels. They are usually found on the legs, mouth, stomach, buttocks, eyelids, feet, and hands.
How to distinguish between petechiae and rash? If the rash subsides, it becomes paler or paler, and the petechiae remain the same color. There are many reasons for the appearance of petechiae, some are harmless and others are serious, so discuss these red spots with your dermatologist.
Rash
It may seem all-encompassing, but rashes can be caused by medications, irritants (such as insects), or infections. Rashes are often the cause of spotting in babies. The most common medications that cause rash include antibiotics, NSAIDs, and anticonvulsants.
Irritants are difficult to identify, but dust mites, latex, and animal dander can cause allergic rashes. Certain cosmetics, herbs, and nickel may be to blame. Many infections, including viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, can cause red spots on your skin. These infections include chicken pox and rubella, which we will discuss in more detail in the next section.
What viruses cause small red spots?
Some viruses can cause red spots on your skin, and you’ve probably heard of many of them. These include: chicken pox, rubella, rubella, measles, and fifth disease. They all cause red spots, but there are other ways to tell these viruses apart.
Windflower
We’re all familiar with chicken pox, but did you know that it starts with an itchy, red rash of fluid-filled blisters? The rash starts on the face, back, and chest, but quickly spreads to other parts of the body.
Roseola
Roseola usually begins with a high fever that lasts up to a week. After the fever, a slightly raised, mottled pink rash may begin to cover the stomach or chest. This rash usually disappears within 24 hours.
Reds
Measles, also known as measles, causes a rash on the face that spreads to other parts of the body. This rash only lasts three days.
Measles
Measles, not to be confused with German measles, starts with a rash around the ears and mouth. The rash starts as a red, flat spot, but later turns into a raised white spot on top of an existing red spot. As measles progresses, they begin to form one large spot.
The fifth disease
Fifth disease, often called slap-cheek disease, is first reported when a red rash appears on the cheek (hence the nickname). After the rash on the face clears up, a light pink lace-like rash appears on the chest and arms.
Can stress cause small red spots or rashes?
Yes, stress is a bit of a factorred spots or rashes. If stress is the cause of your red spots, then you may be experiencing hives. Hives can occur anywhere on your body and can range in size, from a small pen mark to the size of a dinner plate. Hives can last up to six weeks, but there are treatment options to relieve your symptoms.
When Should I Be Worried About a Red Spot on My Skin?
Although skin rashes are often more annoying than harmful, there are some that can be serious. Seek immediate medical attention if:
The rash affects the eyes
The rash is oozing or blistering
Blue, red, or purple dots appear in the affected area
The rash is accompanied by a fever, dizziness, shortness of breath, a stiff neck, or vomiting
How Do I Treat Red Spots on My Skin?
How you treat the red spots on your skin will be based on their cause, which we now know can be anything from a virus to an irritant. The first step to effectively treat red spots on the skin is to have your dermatologist conduct a skin exam. This will help identify the cause of the red spots so that an appropriate treatment plan can be implemented.
For many causes of red spots on the skin, at-home treatments can help alleviate symptoms. The most common way to reduce the need to itch your skin (which can lead to tears and infection), is to avoid overheating. This means avoiding intense exercise and taking lukewarm showers until the rash has disappeared. It’s also important to protect the affected skin from sunlight and to use fragrance-free soaps and moisturizers to keep your skin hydrated.
Antihistamines are one of the most common medications prescribed to treat red spots. This can help relieve itching and discomfort. Other medications, like corticosteroids and skin barrier creams, are used to control itching, reduce redness, and repair the skin’s barrier. Depending on the cause of your red spots, antibiotics, prednisone, or immunosuppressants may be prescribed.
