Little Red Spots On Skin: Learn The Causes And Treatments
The little red spot on your skin will be nothing and go away with time. But we cannot be more wrong. This is because there are a lot of instances wherein it indicates something is wrong in your body. It is not negligible and demand proper diagnosis and treatment. If you are bothered, you should know these other things to look out for in order to have an inkling of knowledge on what is happening within your body.
What Exactly Is Perioral Dermatitis
If you have a rash around your mouth, you may have perioraldermatitis.
This rash often looks like small, red, acne-like breakouts in people with light-colored skin and skin-colored breakouts in people who have skin of color.
Perioral dermatitis
Perioral dermatitis causes a rash, which often looks like acne.
Whether red or skin colored, this rash can itch. Sometimes, the rash causes a burning sensation.
Its also possible that you wont have any itching or burning. Youll likely have dry and flaky skin where you have the rash, though.
While this rash often develops around the mouth, it can also appear around your eyes or nose. You may have the rash around your mouth and nose or your nose and eyes.
Some people get it around their genitals. If you have the rash around any of these areas, your dermatologist may say you have peri-orificial dermatitis.
Peri-orifical dermatitis is actually a more accurate name for this rash. Peri means around and orifical refers to an opening. No matter where this rash appears though, people often refer to it as perioral dermatitis. That literally means peri oral .
What Are Common Causes For Small Itchy Bumps
As mentioned earlier, there are a different kind of causes of red small itchy bumps. These white small itchy bumps on the skin can appear due to improper hygiene as well as the lack of good skin care techniques. There may be other causes as well. Some of the major causes of small itchy bumps on the skin are listed below.
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Care Advice For Localized Rashes
How Is Allergic Eczema Treated
Treatment for allergic eczema depends on the severity of your symptoms. In all cases, though, its important to wash the affected skin with plenty of water to remove traces of the allergen.
You may not need additional treatment if your symptoms are mild and dont bother you. However, you might want to use a moisturizing cream to keep the skin hydrated and repair damage. Over-the-counter corticosteroid creams can help with itching and inflammation.
Your doctor may recommend prescription-strength ointments or creams if your symptoms are severe. They may also prescribe corticosteroid pills if needed.
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Check If It’s Hand Foot And Mouth Disease
The first signs of hand, foot and mouth disease can be:
- not wanting to eat
After a few days mouth ulcers and a rash will appear.
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The symptoms are usually the same in adults and children, but they can be worse in babies and children under 5.
It’s possible to get hand, foot and mouth disease more than once.
Red Spots And Skin Cancer
Skin cancer, from melanoma to basal cell carcinoma, may also appear in the form of red spots, scaly plaques or moles on the skin. Make sure to consult a doctor if you are unsure about any bump or spot on your body that:
· wont go away over time· is changing or getting worse· appears suddenly, without any obvious reasons· looks suspicious and makes you feel concerned.
Do a smart check now with SkinVision and get an instant risk indication.
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Mosquito And Insect Bites
Causes: Some rashes result from insect bites including those from mosquitoes, spiders, ants, fleas, flies, and wasps. Following the insect bite is an allergic reaction in the form of a swollen, itchy bump.
Treatments: In most cases, rashes resulting from a mild allergic reaction to insect bites can go away on its own. However, you may need to take a trip to the emergency room or your general practitioner in the case of a more severe reaction. A doctor will prescribe a topical cream in these cases.
Should I Seek Medical Advice
1. What does the rash look like?
In the recent past the best way to understand what your rash looks like is to start googling and look for similar images. For example, if the rash looks like it could be ringworm then its time to get yourself to the doctor. Frankly, despite us creating our skin guide it can still be challenging when looking at so many different rashes, this is why we have built our AI, so that you can upload your image and be provided with the matching diseases were here to narrow your search and give you answers!
2. Are you in pain?
This seems like an obvious one but its not always! If the rash is bothering you either mentally or physically, if the itch is incontrollable and hasnt gone away within a few days then speak to a dermatologist. This is usually a good warning sign that our body is fighting something and it is time to act, dont just leave it.
3. Are there other symptoms?
Another good way to understand your rash is to check for other symptoms, if you notice any signs such as shortness of breath, bleeding, blisters in mouth, eyes or on the skin or even swelling then we recommend you visit your doctor or get checked up by your dermatologist as quickly as possible.
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What Are The Types Of Skin Rashes
There are many different types of skin rashes, including:
- Contact dermatitis: This form of dermatitis occurs when your body reacts to a substance that it doesnt like. Lots of people are allergic to fragrances, preservatives, nickel and poison ivy. Common irritants include soaps, detergents, chemicals and household cleaners.
- Eczema: Also called atopic dermatitis, eczema often develops in infancy and often gets better as a child grows. It tends to run in families . People who have asthma or allergies are more likely to have eczema, too.
- Hives: Also called urticaria, hives cause raised, red, itchy skin welts. You may get hives if you have an allergic reaction to airborne allergens or insect stings. Extreme temperature changes and certain bacterial infections can also bring on hives.
- Psoriasis: This lifelong skin disorder causes a thick, scaly rash. The rash often forms on the elbows, knees, lower back, scalp and genitals. Psoriasis can be inherited.
- Viral: Skin rashes are a common symptom of many viral conditions, such as chickenpox, measles and molluscum contagiosum.
Which Infectious Conditions Cause Red Spots
Common infections that can cause red spots include:
- Fungal infections: Ringworm is a fungal infection that looks like a ring of red spots that surrounds a clear area. Treatment involves anti-fungal ointments and medications.
- Shingles: They are medically known as herpes zoster. Shingles is a painful rash that can present with blisters that are formed on one side of the face or body. Since it is a viral rash, it is treated by anti-viral oral pills.
- Roseola infantum: Roseola infantum is a viral infection that occurs in babies and causes a high fever followed by a rash. There is no specific treatment for roseola infantum. Most cases of roseola infantum are mild and self-limited. Treatment involves rest, adequate fluid intake, and medications to control fever.
- Erythema infectiosum or Fifth disease: This is a viral infection that commonly occurs during childhood. Signs and symptoms include a red rash on the cheeks that resemble a slapped cheek, fever, sore throat, stomach upset, and headache. Generally, no treatment is necessary. An antihistamine can be used if the rash is itchy.
- Viral diseases, such as measles, rubella, chickenpox, and COVID-19: Each of these conditions is associated with its own signs and symptoms. It is advisable to contact a doctor for correct diagnosis and treatment.
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Common Causes Of Itchy Red Bumps On Your Skin
After acne, rashes are the second most common skin infection. Although rashes can affect any part of the body, they often affect the legs, arms, and torso.
Like many other infections, the cause of your itchy red skin may be bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic. Although taking over-the-counter treatments can help you eliminate unsightly skin lumps, its usually not so simple. The cause of your itchy red skin has a major role in determining the type of treatment youll take.
Lets dig in! And find out what could be causing your skin to form red itchy bumps.
Check If You Have Scarlet Fever
The first signs of scarlet fever can be flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands .
A rash appears 12 to 48 hours later. It looks looks like small, raised bumps and starts on the chest and tummy, then spreads. The rash makes your skin feel rough, like sandpaper.
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The symptoms are the same for children and adults, although scarlet fever is less common in adults.
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How To Treat Heat Rash In Babies And Children
If your child has heat rash, try to keep them cool and dry. Dress them in light cotton clothing and avoid too many layers when you dress them.
You can help to ease the itching with a lukewarm bath, though avoid using soap as this can make the skin irritation worse. You can also press a cool, damp cloth on the spots for relief.
You can talk to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to stop your child scratching, such as by using calamine lotion or corticosteroid cream. This will avoid the spots getting infected.
Change sweaty clothes and wet nappies regularly. Make sure you dry in their skin folds after a bath and avoid using a plastic mattress.
What Are Causes & Treatment
The causes can range from the harmless cherry angiomas and stress related leaking of the blood vessels to the more dangerous diseases of the body like cancer and severe hemorrhaging. Each condition is determined by a set of steps and laboratory tests that will confirm or reject the existence of the condition.
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To Calm The Itching Or Prickly Feeling
- apply something cold, such as a damp cloth or ice pack for up to 20 minutes
- tap or pat the rash instead of scratching it
- do not use perfumed shower gels or creams
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Skin that’s itchy, dry and cracked may be atopic eczema. It’s common behind the knees, elbows and neck, but it can appear anywhere.
Speak to a GP if you think your child has eczema.
Rosacea: Redness And Inflammation On The Face
Rosacea is a common skin condition that occurs on the faces of adults. Symptoms of rosacea include redness of the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. Small blood vessels may be seen on the surface of the red skin, along with skin bumps and pimples, though this is not related to acne breakouts. Rosacea typically only affects the face, though in some cases it appears on the neck, chest, ears, scalp, or even the eyes. The cause is unknown and there is no cure, although treatment with antibiotics can minimize symptoms.
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What Are The Complications Of A Skin Rash
Theyre bothersome and unsightly, but skin rashes usually respond well to treatment. They rarely cause serious problems. Potential issues include:
- Anaphylaxis: A severe allergic reaction can cause a skin rash and a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis. Extreme swelling from anaphylaxis can close air passages. People in anaphylaxis need an immediate epinephrine injection to counteract this allergic response. If youve ever felt your throat or mouth swelling when you get a rash, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to carry an EpiPen®.
- Infection: Scratching an itchy rash can break open the skin, allowing germs to get in. Scratching puts you at risk for developing a bacterial skin infection.
When To See A Healthcare Professional About Rashes
If you dont already have a physician, you can use the Healthline FindCare tool to find a professional near you.
Go to the hospital immediately if you experience a rash along with any of the following symptoms:
- increasing pain or discoloration in the rash area
- tightness or itchiness in the throat
- difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face or limbs
- fever of 100.4°F or higher
- severe head or neck pain
- repeated vomiting or diarrhea
Your healthcare professional may also:
- take your temperature
- order tests, such as an allergy test or complete blood count
- perform a skin biopsy, which involves taking a small sample of skin tissue for analysis
- refer you to a specialist, such as a dermatologist, for further evaluation
Your healthcare professional may also prescribe medication or medicated lotion to relieve your rash. Most people can treat their rashes effectively with medical treatments and home care.
Follow these tips if you have a rash:
- Use home remedies to soothe mild contact rashes.
- Identify potential triggers for the rash and avoid them as much as possible.
- Carefully follow any treatments your doctor prescribes. Speak with a healthcare professional if your rash persists or gets worse despite treatment.
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What Can Get Rid Of Perioral Dermatitis
You may be able to get rid of this rash on your own. To clear perioral dermatitis, you must stop applying all corticosteroids, including hydrocortisone cream, to your skin.
This means that if youre applying a:
-
Hydrocortisone cream without your doctors knowledge, stop using it
-
Prescription corticosteroid, ask the doctor who prescribed it if you can stop applying it
If your doctor tells you to keep using a corticosteroid, ask if you can use another medication.
When you stop applying a corticosteroid or hydrocortisone cream, the rash can worsen. If this happens, it can be tempting to start using the cream or ointment again. Dont. Using it again will only bring temporary relief. Each time you stop applying it, the rash can flare.
Its also possible that if you continue to apply the corticosteroid medication, it will eventually cause the rash to worsen each time you apply it.
Continue to apply prescription medication
Before you stop applying a prescription medicine, check with the doctor who prescribed it.
Here Are Some Other Common Types Of Rashes:
- Eczema , also called atopic dermatitis, is a common rash for kids. Eczema can cause dry, chapped, bumpy areas around the elbows and knees or more serious cases of red, scaly, and swollen skin all over the body.
- Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by skin contact with something irritating, such as a chemical, soap, or detergent. It can be red, swollen, and itchy. Even sunburn can be a kind of irritant dermatitis because it’s red and might itch while it’s healing.
- Allergic contact dermatitis is a rash caused by contact with an allergen . An allergen is something you are allergic to, such as rubber, hair dye, or nickel, a metal found in some jewelry. If you have nickel allergy, you might get a red, scaly, crusty rash wherever the jewelry touched the skin, like around your finger if you were wearing a ring. Urushiol , an oil or resin contained in poison ivy, oak, and sumac, also can cause this kind of rash.
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Skin Rashes In Children
Childhood rashes are common and aren’t usually a cause for concern. Most rashes are harmless and disappear without the need for treatment.
However, see your GP if your child has a rash and seems unwell, or if you’re worried. They’ll be able to investigate the cause and recommend any necessary treatment.
This page may give you a better idea about what could be causing the rash, but don’t use this to self-diagnose your child’s condition always see a GP for a proper diagnosis.
The most common causes of rashes in children are:
Although meningitis has become less common over recent years, it’s important to be aware of the rash and the other signs and symptoms of meningitis.
Causes Of Red Spots On Skin
Cristina Mutchler is an award-winning journalist with more than a decade of experience in national media, specializing in health and wellness content. A multilingual Latina, Cristina’s work has appeared on CNN and its platforms, local news affiliates across the country, and in the promotion of medical journal articles and public health messaging.
Casey Gallagher, MD, is board-certified in dermatology and works as a practicing dermatologist and clinical professor.
Red spots on the skin have a variety of possible causes. For example, contact with something irritating can cause dermatitis, a fungal infection is responsible for ringworm, burst blood vessels cause spots known as purpura, and some autoimmune conditions can cause rashes.
Some spots will go away on their own, but others may need treatment.
This article reviews 13 possible causes of red spots on the skin and whether they are cause for concern, as well as when to seek immediate medical care.
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