Raised Red Spots On Skin

When To See A Doctor

Raised bumps on skin are often harmless, however they might be a sign of a serious skin condition like an infection or cancer.

One should see a doctor if:

• You are not sure what is causing the bump.
• It is growing rapidly, looks unusual, and has irregular edges.
• The bumps involve a large area of the body.
• It is accompanied with other systemic symptoms like fever, pain, dizziness, confusion etc.
• The bumps have a visible discharge or are bleeding.

This Type Of Rash Might Seem Harmless But It Can Indicate A Medical Emergency

Skin rashes can occur for lots of reasons and are common in infants, children, and adults.

Many rashes are irritated or itchy, so if you develop pinprick red dots on your skin that dont itch, you might be wondering whats going on.

Oftentimes, this type of rash is caused by tiny broken blood vessels beneath the skin that result in red dots known as petechiae.

Verywell / Theresa Chiechi

If a pinprick rash is indeed petechiae, it can indicate a serious underlying condition like meningitis. If you have pinprick red dots on your skin that dont itch and have emerged rapidly, you should see a healthcare provider immediately, even if you havent yet noticed any other symptoms.

Here is what you should know about petechiae and the causes of pinprick red dots that dont itch.

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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Impetigo: A Skin Rash Caused By Bacteria

Impetigo is a rash caused by a skin infection, usually traced to one of two bacteria, group A streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. This skin rash appears as brown, crusty sores or blisters around the nose or mouth area. The rash is very itchy and very contagious. Scratching the rash and then touching other areas of the body, or other people, will cause it to spread. Treatment of impetigo is with antibiotic creams or lotions, and for more severe cases, with oral antibiotics.

Periorificial Dermatitis Can Cause Breakouts Around The Nose And Mouth

Periorificial dermatitis is a skin condition that causes clusters of small, itchy, and sometimes sore red bumps on the face. When the condition affects the lower half of the face, it may be known by the more specific term of perioral dermatitis.

Normally, periorificial dermatitis will go away once you stop using topical steroids or the irritating product. Sometimes dermatologists will also prescribe an oral antibiotic, such as tetracycline, or a topical antibiotic, like metronidazole.

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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.

When To See A Healthcare Professional

Developing a blister from a tight pair of shoes or after a long golf trip doesn’t warrant a medical visit, but suspicious, unfamiliar bumps that are not healing should be examined.

This is especially important if they are accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, limited mobility, fever, joint pain, swelling, or bleeding.

Changes in the size, color, and shape of moles warrant a skin cancer screening. Skin changes that linger and do not go away should also be evaluated.

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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.

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.

The symptoms are the same for children and adults, although scarlet fever is less common in adults.

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Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, or SCC, may appear as a crusty or scaly bump or lumpy area of skin. Bumps typically develop on areas that have the most sun exposure, such as the face, hands, or legs. They can be painful and sensitive.

Types of cutaneous SCC include:

• verrucous carcinoma, which a wart-like lump that grows on the bottom of the foot
• cutaneous horn, which is a lesion with a cone shape
• keratoacanthoma, which is a tumor that may resolve itself without treatment
• , which is an uncommon tumor that grows from scars or ulcers

Treatment

If a person thinks they may have a cancerous skin bump, they should see a doctor.

Treatment for skin cancer can

There are many causes of a raised skin bump. Other causes include:

Treatment

Treatment will ultimately depend on the cause. Some skin bumps, such as skin tags and keratosis pilaris, do not require medical treatment.

Others may require surgery or excision.

A person should see a doctor or dermatologist to discuss potential treatment options.

With most types of skin bump, it is not necessary to call a doctor. However, if a person has concerns about a bump, they should seek medical attention.

It is possible to mistake more severe conditions such as skin cancer for mild acne.

What Causes Erythema Multiforme

Most cases of erythema multiforme happen because the body has an allergic reaction to an infection or a medicine. The most common trigger is the germ that causes cold sores. In kids, a germ that causes lung infections also can trigger erythema multiforme.

Less often a medicine causes it. Some medicines that can cause a reaction are:

• penicillin or sulfa-based antibiotics
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , like ibuprofen

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Contact Dermatitis Caused By Plants

Online dermatologist question30 year old male. The red spots appeared a few days after working In my yard. They are on my left lower leg, arm and fingers. It seems they have gotten worse and are blistering. They first appeared 4-5 days ago on Thursday or Friday. I have treated them with hydrocortisone 1% and Zanfel. Also, have taken Benadryl.

AnswerBased on the information and images of your leg and history, this looks like Contact Dermatitis caused by plants: Most often caused by primula or chrysanthemum. Itching rash, red streaks with blisters is common. Treatmnent: Avoid the causing plant. Use cortisone cream as you are doing twice a day for a week. If it doesnt improve see a physician.

What Does Petechiae Look Like

Petechiae are flat and look like pinpoint-sized red, brown, or purple dots. Clumps of them on your skin look like a rash. But unlike many rashes, when you press on the spots they don’t turn white. And if the spots are larger and red or purple, you may have another type of bleeding problem called purpura.

Petechiae can form just about anywhere on your body, even your eyelids or inside your mouth.

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Reasons Your Face Is Red

Many things can turn our faces red, including sunburn, acne, and hot flashes. Here are 10 less obvious reasons for seeing a red face when you look in the mirror.

irritant contact dermatitisallergic contact dermatitisHow to get rid of the redness:

Skin Rashes Caused By Allergic Reactions To Medication

There are two main types of drug-induced skin rashes. One is immediate associated with hives, itching, and often with breathing difficulty, and tongue or lip swelling. If this happens, it is important to seek medical attention right away.

A drug rash can also occur several days to even weeks later. These may include skin bump eruptions, purple or red skin discoloration, or scaly and thickened areas of skin. This skin condition can occur anywhere on the skin or even inside the mouth. In rare cases, such as those accompanied by fever, pain, swelling, eye, mouth, or genitalia involvement, drug-induced rashes can be serious or even fatal, so check with your doctor. Treatment is to stop taking the drug and manage the symptoms with antihistamines or steroids.

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Psoriasis: A Disease Affecting The Growth Cycle Of Skin Cells

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can cause patches of thick, dry skin covered with silvery scales. Known as plaques, these itchy, raised patches can appear anywhere on the body. An estimated 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, which is thought to occur when a faulty immune system accelerates the growth cycle of skin cells. Up to a third of people with the condition also suffer from psoriatic arthritis, which causes joint pain and swelling. The exact cause of psoriasis is unclear, but genetics play a role. Treatments such as topical creams, light therapy, and medications can help manage psoriasis symptoms.

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

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.

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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.

• Frequently Asked Questions

Red spots on your skin can be caused by infections, medical conditions, irritation, or allergies. Some red spots go away on their own, but others may need treatment.

This article will go over 13 skin conditions that cause red spots. You will learn what causes each condition and how they are treated. You will also learn when red spots and other symptoms are cause for concern and require immediate medical care.

How Is Erythema Multiforme Treated

Erythema multiforme goes away on its own. If the cause is an infection, the doctor may treat that. If a medicine was the cause, the doctor will stop it and use a new one if a medicine is still needed.

If your child has erythema multiforme caused by the cold sore germ, the rash might come back when cold sores come back. If it keeps coming back, the doctor may give a medicine to fight the cold sore germ to keep the rash away.

Doctors might treat some severe cases with steroid medicines.

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Check If You Have Hives

DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/694159/view

This image shows white skin with the hives rash. The rash is on a child’s leg and hand. Their groin, in the top left of the photo, is not affected by the rash.

The skin on most of their thigh is pink, raised and bumpy. At the side of their thigh are deep creases in the skin.

Their hand is pink with some red patches between their thumb and finger and at their fingertips.

Elizabeth Nunn / Alamy Stock Photo https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-an-urticarial-rash-caused-by-an-allergic-reaction-to-penicillin-111762116.html?pv=1& stamp=2& imageid=261CE1C1-DA64-4EAE-8D55-1794DA842BD3& p=278658& n=0& orientation=0& pn=1& searchtype=0& IsFromSearch=1& srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d0%26pn%3d1%26ps%3d100%26sortby%3d2%26resultview%3dsortbyPopular%26npgs%3d0%26qt%3dGDR5M4%26qt_raw%3dGDR5M4%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26ot%3d0%26creative%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26pc%3d%26blackwhite%3d%26cutout%3d%26tbar%3d1%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d%26a%3d%26cdid%3d%26cdsrt%3d%26name%3d%26qn%3d%26apalib%3d%26apalic%3d%26lightbox%3d%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26xstx%3d0%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d1%26nu%3d%26t%3d%26edoptin%3d%26customgeoip%3d%26cap%3d1%26cbstore%3d1%26vd%3d0%26lb%3d%26fi%3d2%26edrf%3d0%26ispremium%3d1%26flip%3d0%26pl%3d

This image shows light brown skin with the hives rash.

Check If You Have Heat Rash

The symptoms of heat rash are:

• small, raised spots
• an itchy, prickly feeling

The rash often looks red, but this may be less obvious on brown or black skin.

The symptoms of heat rash are often the same in adults and children.

It can appear anywhere on the body and spread, but it cannot be passed on to other people.

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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.

When To Seek Medical Treatment For Cherry Angiomas

If you notice any changes in the way a red mole looks, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Its important to have any type of lesion or growth looked at when its appearance changes or if the diagnosis is unknown. Your doctor will be able to rule out serious conditions, such as skin cancer.

Your doctor may decide to do a biopsy, which involves removing and examining a small sample of the area or the entire lesion, to diagnose or rule out other conditions.

The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you dont already have a doctor.

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How Can Parents Help

To help make kids feel better, doctors may suggest:

• putting cool packs on the rash
• taking a cool bath or shower
• using acetaminophen for pain or fever
• using antihistamines
• putting creams on the skin to help with itchiness

These treatments won’t make the rash go away faster, but will make a child feel better until the rash is gone.

What Causes Cherry Angiomas

The exact cause of red moles is unknown, but there may be a genetic factor that makes certain people more likely to get them. Theyve also been linked to pregnancy, exposure to chemicals, certain medical conditions, and climate.

There also appears to be a link between cherry angiomas and age. They often begin to appear when individuals reach 30 years old and seem to increase in size and number with age. One

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Intertrigo: An Itchy Rash In The Folds Of The Body

Intertrigo is a skin condition that occurs in skin folds, under the breasts, on the inner thighs, under armpits, or under belly folds. Chafing causes a rash of red skin or brown skin that can get infected with yeast or bacteria and becomes raw. The skin rash may ooze and itch. This rash is more common in people who are overweight and in people with diabetes. Treatment involves keeping the areas dry, treating infections, and using antibiotic, antifungal, or steroid creams.