Small red spots on skin are usually a symptom of some kind of skin infection. These spots are mostly not harmful and can affect any part of the body.However, it is necessary to be alert as these red spots may sometimes indicate a fatal disease. In other cases, it may be an indication of the beginning of an infection.
Small red spots on skin may be accompanied by other symptoms like pain, inflammation of skin, and itchiness, etc. Sometimes, the lesions may be filled with fluids. All instances of small red spots on skin need to be checked by a doctor for proper diagnosis and relevant treatment.
Causes of small red spots on skin
Some of the causes of small red spots on skin are listed below:
- Dermatofibromas: Dermatofibromas are reddish or brownish, tiny, and firm bumps which mostly occur on the torso and legs. These bumps develop due to formation of soft tissues known as ‘fibroblasts.’ Dermatofibromas should not be taken lightly.A doctor should be consulted especially if it is accompanied by itchiness or pain.
- Acne: Acne refers to reddish or brownish skin growths or macules. Acne marks may be even and flattened. After acne has healed it leaves temporary marks and scars on the skin, which usually disappear after some time. However, if the affected skin areas are exposed to the sun for a long time then it can take a longer time for the scars to disappear.
- Pyogenic Granulomas: It mostly affects children and is caused due to excess growth of blood capillaries. Excess accumulation of these blood vessel leads to occurrence of tiny reddish spots on the surface of the skin. The spots may erupt in several colors, including purplish, brownish or bluish. They mostly occur because of skin injuries or trauma which further damages the blood vessels. The real reason for pyogenic granulomas is however unknown. It has genetic links and can be passed on to the future generations. This infection is not cancerous.
- Birthmarks:Also known as ‘hemangioma,’ birthmarks are pigmented spots that appear soon after the baby is born, or at a later stage in life. Birthmarks are usually related with blood vessels and can be differentiated from other reddish marks as they form mostly during early infancy.
- Rosacea: The real reason for rosacea is not known but it is said to be genetic. Fair skinned people are usually affected by this infection. Rosacea skin defects are like reddish rashes on skin in the form of pustules which look like pimples. This gives a blushed look to the face.
- Petechiae or blood spots: When red colored or purple colored spots are visible on the skin that it indicates the presence of petechiae spots. In the beginning,small red spots on skin occur on the leg which later spread to the other parts of the body. Rigorous coughing, trauma etc. causes bleeding of the capillaries into the mucus membrane of the skin. The effect is visible on the skin in the form of small red colored spots.
- Hives: Hives are visible in the form of flat, smooth, red colored marks on the skin. The size may differ; some marks may have diameter of only few mm, whereas some may be a few inches in size. The size and position of the hives do not remain the same; they change very fast. Few reasons for occurrence of hives are allergic reactions to drugs, bee sting, etc. A person usually suffers from hives because of hereditary reasons.
- Folliculitis:It is a common type of skin rash characterized by small red spots on skin which next to the hair follicles. These bumps can range from ten to hundred bumps which are spread on a specific part of the body. The rashes can erupt at some or all places on the body, wherever hair growth is present. Bacterial infection is considered as the main cause of folliculitis.
- Measles: It is an infectious viral disease. The signs and symptoms are usually visible a week or more after contracting the disease. In the beginning gray-white colored spots, also known as ‘Koplik’s spots,’ appear inside the mouth. Then after two or three days small red spots on skin can be seen. Apart from these marks, an infected individual can also elicit symptoms like fatigue, sore throat, fever, watery eyes, etc.
- Diaper rash: Rashes that are visible on the body parts of infant’s diaper area can be termed as ‘diaper rash.’ The cause for diaper rash can be many, like allergies, moisture left behind by diapers, infection, or sometimes antibiotics use. Some additional symptoms include burning sensation which pricks or hurts when the diaper is changed.
- Heat rash:Also called prickly heat rash or sweat rash, heat rash results in eruption of small red spots on skin. These spots form when the sweat glands get blocked, which in turn traps the sweat inside the skin. This further causes eruption of tiny red colored bumps on the skin. Some factors that trigger heat rashes use of tight apparels, excessive exposure to sun and humidity, etc.
- Insect bites:Small red spots on skin may also occur because of horrible mosquito bites, bed bug bites, and other insect bites such as lice, ants, fleas, and mites. These insect bites can cause itchiness and may lead to severe pain in few cases. These bites can also lead to allergic reactions.
- Cherry Angioma: In cherry angioma small or big red colored spots appear on the skin. In case the spots grow bigger, then the color of the spots becomes blue. Cherry angioma is a genetic condition like rosacea. However, cherry angioma can affect not only the face but can also develop in any region of the body. It is not harmful and is not linked with any other disorder or disease.
Treatment of small red spots on skin
The causes for red spots on skin is not the same in each case. Therefore it does not have specific standard treatment methods. Doctors will first find out the cause of small red spots on skin, and then the correct treatments and drugs are recommended.
A few home remedies for red spots on skin are listed below. It is however best to consult a doctor before trying home treatment options.
- If the red spots are due to diaper rash, then usage of diaper should be completely avoided for some days. Also the diaper region of the baby’s body should be kept dry and clean. If the rashes do not get well, it is better to visit a medical expert. It is recommended never to apply any ointment without proper medical advice.
- Interior portion of the Aloe Vera can be rubbed on a heat rash. This helps to keep the skin cool and lessen inflammation of skin. Oatmeal bath also soothes the heat rashes. For this, one should soak himself/herself in an oatmeal bath.