Red spots on the skin are usually common dermatological lesions and can be caused by fungi, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, Gilbert's pityriasis rosea, allergies, urticaria caused by medications, contact with substances and even liver problems.
Spots on the skin can have simple causes such as a minor allergy or a circulation problem, but they can be a warning sign of some serious illnesses, such as infections, psoriasis or even cancer.
Being aware of all the symptoms that accompany the appearance of spots on the skin is essential, such as itching, swelling, fever or cough, as this information can help the doctor with pre-diagnosis. It is also worth identifying when the spots appeared.
Ideally, when you notice any difference in your skin, seek out a dermatologist, so if there is a problem, it will be possible to diagnose and treat it as quickly as possible. In general, treatments include analgesics, anti-inflammatories or antibiotics.
Main causes of red spots on the skin
Check below what are the main causes of red spots on the skin, when they can be a sign of illness and how to act when faced with symptoms, keep reading.
Before we continue, it is essential that you know that only a doctor can make an accurate assessment. This list is intended to help you identify possible problems, if you notice something, look for a dermatologist and never self-medicate.1.
1. Allergies
How to identify allergy spots: small to medium-sized spots, they can be reddish or white in color and tend to be very itchy, in addition to being able to contain liquid or become inflamed and disappear quickly, within 3 days.
In certain cases, depending on the agent causing the allergy, in addition to the red or white spots, symptoms such as shortness of breath may be felt, which can lead to life-threatening conditions.
Skin allergies can arise from a multitude of causes, such as contact with hair, plants or taking medications, for example. They can be caused by insect bites or food poisoning.
Treatment for allergy spots: treatment will depend on the symptoms, but, in general, they can be alleviated with medications such as Loratadine, corticosteroids, such as prednisone, or the use of ointments and creams such as phenergan, generally prescribed by a dermatologist.
2. Zika Virus
What Zika Virus spots look like: they are small, raised red spots that are usually very itchy and appear 3 days after the mosquito has bitten the person. In general, it first appears on the face and spreads throughout the body within hours, lasting on average 5 days. It can also be associated with muscle or joint pain, for example.
How to treat Zika Virus spots: for treatment, absolute rest, plenty of hydration and medications recommended by your doctor, such as dipyrone or paracetamol, are recommended, with the aim of relieving symptoms.
3. Ringworm
What ringworm spots look like: they appear on different parts of the body, in different sizes and usually cover a well-defined part of the body. In certain cases, the presence of blisters and peeling may be observed in the affected region.
Without proper treatment, the infection can spread to several other areas of the body, which can cause inconveniences such as other symptoms, itching and odor.
Treatment: the dermatologist may recommend taking antifungals and in some cases the doctor may recommend a dermatologist.
4. Psoriasis
What psoriasis patches look like: they are characterized by a white center with red or pink edges, dry, and may or may not have scaling and itching as a result, and may also cause bleeding in the region.
In most cases, the spots are present on the elbows, knees, buttocks or head. In most people, they occur before the age of 30 and after the age of 50 and are not transmissible, generally due to genetic factors.
How to treat: in the case of a more severe condition, you should consult a dermatologist to begin appropriate treatment, and the use of anti-inflammatory creams or ointments may be recommended. To help with improvement, it is recommended to avoid sun exposure and intake of foods rich in fat and processed products as much as possible, and add foods rich in omega-3 and beta-carotene to your diet.
5. Eczema
What Eczema spots look like: they appear with reddening of the skin, sometimes swelling at the site and causing a lot of itching. Eczema spots can appear and disappear spontaneously over time, and tend to occur more frequently in children and healthcare professionals who use a lot of antiseptic soap.
How is the treatment: the dermatologist may recommend the use of anti-allergy medications such as loratadine and applications of ointment or corticosteroid creams, such as Fenirax.
6. Rubella
What Rubella spots look like: they are characterized by their small size, they are generally flat, but some can be raised, and they can come together to appear larger and cause the patient itch. In most people, they appear on the face and back of the ears and tend to spread very quickly, lasting an average of 2 or 3 days.
Methods of treatment: it is necessary to follow the treatment schedule indicated by your doctor, and medications such as paracetamol can be used until the red spots completely disappear.
7. Lupus
What lupus spots look like: it appears as flat or raised red spots, they can appear on any part of the body, but it is more common in women on the face (nose and cheeks).
Lupus is an inflammatory pathology that occurs when the immune system attacks its own tissues and organs.
How to carry out the treatment: it must be carried out under the guidance of a doctor, and corticosteroids and immunosuppressants may be used.
8. Rosacea
What Rosacea spots look like: they appear as red spots on the cheeks, forehead and nose and resemble small spider veins on the skin. In the area of the spots, there may be increased sensitivity, a feeling of being hot and in some cases swelling.
The spots last indefinitely and can last for weeks or months and disappear after some time, but they can be recurrent and should therefore be closely monitored by a dermatologist.
How to treat: neutral soaps and moisturizers should be used to minimize redness, but in certain cases the use of medications such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatories may be recommended.
9. Scabies
What scabies spots look like: they appear as small red spots, mainly on the fingers and toes, and can also appear between the armpits, these spots tend to itch a lot, especially at night.
Constant itching, which is quite uncomfortable, can lead to the appearance of ulcers on the skin, both in adults and in children and babies.
How is the treatment: the treatment must be indicated by the dermatologist, but can be carried out using creams and ointments, varying according to the severity and intensity of the symptoms, Ivermectin, Crotamiton or Permethrin can be used.
10. Skin cancer
What skin cancer spots look like: the appearance and characteristics of the spot will depend on the variation of cancer that the person has. In general, skin cancer spots tend to be small, irregularly shaped and tend to increase in size and thickness over time.
These spots may or may not bleed, they may also be flat, extensive or have lumps.
How to treat: treatment will also depend on the type and stage of the cancer, but in general, it can be done with the help of surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
11. Atopic dermatitis
What are the spots of atopic dermatitis like: this type of dermatitis is characterized by the sudden appearance of red spots that appear a lot, especially at night, and which can often peel and contain liquid and which over time form crusts.
Incessant itching can lead to the appearance of wounds on the skin, which increases the thickness of the skin there.
How is the treatment: the doctor's recommendations must be followed, but in general, creams and ointments with corticosteroids can be used to alleviate and treat symptoms.
12. Poor Circulation
What stains from poor circulation look like: this type of stain can have other colors besides red, such as yellowish or brown, especially when they appear on the legs and ankles. They are characterized by the commonality of symptoms such as itching in the region, presence of spider veins or varicose veins, swollen feet or ankles, tingling and in some cases pain.
This problem is very common in people who spend a lot of time standing, sitting or in bed, and can arise in cases such as varicose veins, venous insufficiency or deep vein thrombosis, for example.
How to treat: this type of problem must be monitored by an angiologist, who in turn may recommend the use of compression stockings that help with blood circulation, as well as locally applied ointments and even antibiotics in some cases.
13. Heat rash
What do prickly heat spots look like: another common cause of red spots on the skin are prickly heat, which are characterized by small red balls that can cause itching and burning, appearing more frequently on the thigh, face, chest, neck and back.
How to carry out the treatment: it does not usually require specific or clinical treatment, in general, only cold compresses are applied to the region and it is recommended to keep the region ventilated and free from heat.
14. Measles
What measles spots look like: they are characterized by small red spots, which may or may not be slightly raised, generally do not itch and spread quickly throughout the body.
They usually show the first signs on the face, then spread to the trunk and arms, and may be accompanied by fever.
How is the treatment: rest and increased hydration must be carried out, your doctor may recommend the use of paracetamol to minimize symptoms of fever, for example.
15. Cutaneous scleroderma
What the spots look like: they are reddish spots that can become hardened and white in the center, characterized by red edges. Over time the spots become darker.
In this case, it is a chronic pathology in which excessive collagen production occurs, a fact that causes the appearance of symptoms on the skin, but in some cases it can affect some internal organs, such as lungs and heart, in certain cases it can affect the joint, muscles and blood vessels.
How is the treatment: treatment must be guided by a dermatologist, but in general, the use of corticosteroids in the form of ointments or tablets may be indicated.