Causes of red dots on the skin and how to manage them

Causes of red dots on the skin and how to manage them

Like other skin conditions, red spots may appear on your skin for various reasons like medical conditions, infection, and allergy or skin irritation. Some of the dots are harmless and would go away on their own, while others would be severe and need treatment.

In the meantime, this article discusses some of the most common causes of red dots on skin and their treatment options. We have also listed their signs, symptoms, and complications should they not be treated in time.

Various causes of red spots on skin and how to manage them

You may experience red dots on skin due to the following reasons:

a) Heat rash

Also known as miliaria, heat rash happens when pores in your skin are blocked. It can occur during exercise when you sweat, blocking the sweat glands under the skin.

Heat rash is always be noticed in areas where sweat accumulates; skin folds like the chest, armpits, arms, back and groin. When the sweat blocks these areas, you’ll experience small, red or prickly bumps are would sometimes be itchy and painful. The spots may also be filled with clear liquids.

It's not clear why the sweat ducts would block, but the following factors play a significant role:

• Tropical climates; humid or hot weather can cause heat rash
• Intense physical and strenuous activities cause you to sweat, leading to heat rash
• Immature sweat ducts are primarily seen in newborns whose sweat ducts are not fully developed. They easily rupture to trap perspiration beneath their skin.
• The general overheating caused by sleeping under an electric blanket and extreme warm dressing

You may also experience red dots on skin if you stay longer in bed, especially with a fever.

Symptoms of heat rash

• A cluster of red bumps (papules) or spots on the skin
• Itchy and painful dots or bumps
• Spots that tends to reduce when your skin cools down
• Prickly sensation on the affected areas
• Mild sweating on the affected areas
• Inflammation or soreness
• Dizziness and nausea

When can you see the doctor?

Most times, heat rash would go away on their own. However, if the red bumps worsen or when you experience signs of infections like:

• Swollen lymph in the groin, neck and armpit
• Draining pus from the lesions
• Increased swelling, redness, and pain
• Excess warmth around the affected areas
• Chills or fever

Treatment of heat rash

Most times, heat rash would go away on their own. But your doctor may recommend some over-the-counter drugs to help soothe the irritation, amongst them include:

• Topical preparations like menthol and camphor-based ointments to help ease the pain, itchiness or sensation
• Steroid creams to help reduce the inflammation and itchiness
• Antibacterial products to prevent infections on the sores

Healthcare providers also recommend you cool your body. So apply cold compresses, take oatmeal or cold baths and avoid thick moisturizers. Most importantly, ensure your affected areas are cool and dry or free from irritation. You can also be provided with topical or oral antibiotics to help relieve pain or discomfort.

Complications of heat rash

Usually, heat rash would heal without problem. However, it can lead to secondary infections, especially when developing skin injuries.

To prevent the occurrence of a heat rash, you must ensure you avoid or reduce overdressing, especially during summer. Also, avoid wearing tight clothes that may irritate your skin and, most importantly, ensure your sleeping area is calm and well-ventilated.

b) Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis happens when you contact chemicals or irritants causing reactions to your skin. Any substance that irritates your skin would trigger a response. Most of the reactions aren't severe but can be very unpleasant until the skin itching goes away.

Causes of contact dermatitis

You may experience this condition due to:

Irritant contact dermatitis. This is the most common type of contact dermatitis that happens when your skin gets into contact with toxic materials or substances such as bleach, kerosene, sprays, and detergents.

Allergic contact dermatitis. This type occurs when your skin develops an allergic reaction after exposure to foreign materials. It causes your body to produce or release inflammatory substances that irritate the skin and make it itchy.

It’s caused by materials like latex gloves or condoms, chemicals or perfumes found in skincare or cosmetic products, and jewelry made of gold or nickel.

You may also experience red dots on skin due to photo contact dermatitis, caused by contact with certain plant substances causing inflammation or red bumps.

Signs and symptoms of contact dermatitis

The signs and symptoms would depend on the cause of inflammation. For instance,

Those with allergic contact dermatitis may experience;

• Hive, dry, flaky and scaly skin
• Skin redness and oozing blisters
• Darkened or leathery skin
• Skin burns and sensitivity to the sun
• Inflammation and swelling on the affected areas

Individuals with irritant contact dermatitis

• Blistering and ulcerations
• Tight and stiff skin
• Swelling or inflammation on the groin, face or eye areas
• Crusts due to open sores
• Extreme skin dryness that causes cracking

Treatment of contact dermatitis

The condition would always go away on its own after a few weeks, provided you avoid the substances causing it. However, if it persists, your doctor may provide a management plan depending on the cause.

In most cases, over-the-counter medications like oral antihistamines and hydrocortisone would help relieve the itch and soothe the pain. If your conditions persist, you must get a prescription from your healthcare provider.

c) Rosacea

Though its actual cause is not known, rosacea is a skin condition that causes skin redness, small pimples and irritation on the skin. While anyone can develop this condition, scientists confirm that it is common in people aged 30-60, those going through menopause and individuals with fair skin.

Other symptoms associated with this condition include:

• Red and irritated skin on the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin
• Visible blood vessels under the skin
• Clusters of pimples or small bumps on the affected areas
• Itchy, red and watery eyes
• Blurred vision due to inflammation of eyelids

Treating rosacea

There are various management strategies you can deploy to help treat this condition. Consider the following methods:

• Wash your face with pH-balanced cleansers
• Frequently use moisturizers
• Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen
• Stay away from triggers like alcohol, harsh chemicals and ultraviolet light
• Avoid spicy foods and caffeinated products

In its authoritarian state, your healthcare provider may recommend various medical conditions, including azelaic acid, brimonidine, metronidazole and light therapy.

d) Infections

• You may develop red dots on skin due to certain infections. Some of the examples of infections include:​

Shingles

This is a painful viral rash or blister that develops on the body or side of the face, causing itching and tingling. And it’s driven by the varicella-zoster virus- the same virus causing chickenpox. You have a high chance of having shingles if you have had chickenpox before.

This infection can occur anywhere in your body; however, it thrives and appears around one side of your torso. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions, this condition is most common in older people 50 years and above. The good news, you can always get a vaccine to prevent it.

You'll know you have shingles if you experience symptoms such as:

• Numbness, pain, burning and tingling of the affected areas
• Red rash beginning a few days after infection
• Fluid-filled bumps or blisters that ooze open forming crust
• Itching and soreness

Other associated symptoms may include fever, fatigue, headache and sensitivity to light.

In most cases, people would first notice pain which may be intense depending on the location. Some people would even mistake it for other conditions like those affecting the kidney, lungs or heart. You may also develop shingles without having a rash on your body.

Risk factors for shingles

Besides having chickenpox, your risks of shingles infection are high when you have:

Certain health conditions weaken your immunity, like HIV/AIDS or cancer or when you’re undergoing cancer treatment programs like chemotherapy or radiation. Such plans would lower your disease or infection resistance, making you vulnerable to trigger shingles.

Also, you have high risks of shingles when you are under certain medications like those designed to manage rejection while transplanting organs. The likes of prolonged use of steroids or prednisone are significant contributors. Lastly, your shingle infection chances are high when older than 50 years.

So, see your healthcare providers if your pain and irritation insist. They would help manage your condition by prescribing antiviral infections to reduce the length of rash appearance and help relieve you of the pain, irritation or discomfort.

Complications of shingles

If the condition is not treated in time, you may experience the following complications:

Neurological problems. Shingles may affect different nerves in your body. Still, depending on the nerves involved, you may develop brain inflammation, hearing and balancing problems or facial paralysis.

Skin infections. You may develop skin viral and bacterial infections, especially when the condition is not adequately treated.

Loss of vision. The condition is known for affecting the areas around your eyes. So, it may cause severe pain that would result in vision loss.

Rubella

Rubella is a contagious viral infection that causes distinctive small pink or red dots on skin, majorly on the face, then spreads to other body parts. This infection would cause fever, swollen lymph nodes and headache.

You may also experience redness and swelling of the eye, general discomfort, cough and running nose. Adults may also have a low-grade fever, sore throat and rashes that start from the face. Some people with rubella may not even experience any of the symptoms.

e) Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes a rapid buildup of skin cells leading to scaling on the skin surface. Researchers are not sure of the exact cause of the disease. However, they speculate a combination of environmental factors and genetics as the leading causes of psoriasis.

Studies also indicate that the disease results from the body's overreaction to the immune system's response to fighting bacteria and other substances new to the body. When the body overreacts, it causes the growth of red dots or bumps on the skin, especially on your knees, scalp, and elbow.

People with psoriasis may experience a symptom like:

• Itchy patches of knees and skin
• Painful red spots or patches
• Scaly and burning body

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the type of psoriasis. So, your doctor would diagnose the condition. In some cases, they would conduct a biopsy, but primarily tropical and oral treatments would help relieve your symptoms.

So, healthcare providers would recommend medications like topical retinoids, corticosteroids, salicylic acid, anthralin, and moisturizers. Some cold compresses and oatmeal baths can be effective too.

f) Lichen Planus

Not much is known about this condition, and researchers have no evidence of its causes. However, they believe it leads to reddish or purple bumps in various body parts, especially around wounds in the mouth. These dots are commonly found on the back, wrists and ankles.

Symptoms

Those with Lichen Planus would experience symptoms like

• Ulcers of skin
• Scaly, red spots or bumps
• Dots that may darken
• Itchy and painful sharp borders

Treatment of Lichen Planus,

Mostly, the condition would clear up by itself, unless when it is chronic, then your doctor would recommend antihistamines to help reduce your symptoms.

Also, your healthcare providers may deploy phototherapy- UV light to help manage the symptoms while applying ointments in managing inflammation or redness. Apply such creams on the dots and only stop the treatment when the spot changes from brown to gray. Doctors will recommend you use oral tablets in case your symptoms appear severe.

g) Swimmer’s itch

This is an itchy red rash that usually occurs when you're exposed to parasites after swimming in contaminated water or schistosomes. The parasite is most common in stagnant waters like lakes and ponds.

Symptoms

Red and itchy rashes that develop a day after exposure

Red, bumpy spots/dots

Treatment

This condition is best managed by oral antihistamines and topical steroids. Also, your doctor may prescribe you some antibiotics if the symptoms don't go away.

h) Drug Rash

Drug rashes are red, bumpy or flat red dots on skin caused by your body's reaction to certain medications. Any drug may cause a rash on your skin, but the most common ones happen when you take anti-seizures or antibiotics.

Symptoms

The rash appearance significantly depends on the type of medication you have taken. Some would be minor bumps with less pain, while others would cause peeling and scaling with purple patches. You may also notice blisters, itching and painful reddish spots.

Treatment

These rashes may go away when you stop taking the medication causing them. But if they continue, then you must consider checking with your doctor to help determine the cause behind your rashes. They may prescribe you some antihistamines or steroids to help manage the inflammation symptoms.

What happens when the drug rash is not managed?

This infection affects people of all ages, and if it's not managed, drug rash will lead to a condition called Dress. With Dress, you may experience symptoms like flu-like, high fever and skin sensation or burning. Worst, you may even develop organ damage that would require immediate medical attention.

i) Acne

This is a significant cause of red dots on skin. This condition affects the face, neck, back and chest. You may also notice some common spots on your penis or vaginal areas. Usually, acne will occur when bacteria or dirt materials clog your skin or pores.

Symptoms

• Once your pores are blocked, you may notice:
• Tiny red bumps on the back, neck or private part
• Pimple-like red spots
• Painful red cysts
• Sometimes bumps will be filled with pus
• The dots may or may not have heads, but if they do, they'll have whiteheads

Treatment

The treatment plan will depend on the severity or the type of acne your experience. Doctors will recommend topical treatments like salicylic acid or topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide for those who break out every time or month.

But in case of severe acne, your healthcare providers may recommend a combination of oral medications such as antibiotics or isotretinoin.

But to completely remove all the red marks behind the acne, your dermatologist will recommend laser treatment. This involves the removal of the top layer of your skin to reduce the appearance of the bumps. The process is chemical-free as it only depends on focused light therapy.

However, sometimes they will recommend the use of chemical peeling to remove the topmost layer of your skin and dead skin cells beneath it.

j) Allergies

Allergies are a response to the immune system that happens when you contact foreign substances. In most cases, the allergic reaction would be triggered by allergens such as insect bites, medicines like penicillin, and foods like eggs and peanuts, among others.

Those with sensitive skin would most likely have red dots on skin now and then. You may also experience the following symptoms: Itchy or painful red spots or patches that occur when contact with any allergens.

For treatment, your dermatologist would recommend topical creams to help soothe the irritation and itchiness symptoms. You must also avoid medicines and foods that would trigger your skin reaction. That calls for one thing, identify and prevent the exact type of foods that causes your body to react.

k) Petechiae

These are small spots that resemble rashes. They often appear on the legs, arms, buttocks or stomach. Usually, they are not itchy or raised but form larger patches that spread to all parts of your body.

Petechiae is not a disease but rather a symptom of more extensive fungal, viral or bacterial infections. They can also result in allergy, trauma, or bleeding when the blood vessel bursts.

Sometimes treatment won’t be needed, especially when there are no signs of severe infection or further spread. Your doctor would examine, and if they find out it's a sign of severe illness, they will conduct immediate treatment.

Diaper rash

These are rash around the diaper covered or around the public areas. They are usually caused by yeast or bacterial infections. The condition can affect any person wearing diapers, from babies to adults. Symptoms of diaper rash include red or pink dots on the buttock, genitals and thighs.

Conclusion

Spots on your skin may result from various infections, allergies or medical conditions. Some dots are clear and mild and would go away on their own. In contrast, others are severe and would require diagnosis and recommendation of a dermatologist.

So, if your red dots on your skin are causing a lot of discomforts, ensure you visit or share your conditions with your healthcare providers