If you’re anything like me, you’ll regularly check your body over for lumps, bumps, bruises and all else that’s out of place.
You might think I’m being paranoid or too careful, but I really want to know what’s happening with my body, and I want to be prepared to get medical help if I notice something strange.
So, you can imagine how shocked I was when I discovered a bunch of red dots on my shoulder one morning. Like many people these days, I quickly jumped online to find out what could be causing it.
It turns out that having red dots on your skin is actually pretty common. There are several reasons why this can happen, so I thought it would be useful to share them here for anyone else who might be in the same boat.
It’s also important to remember that red dots on the skin can vary in size, shape, and color, and what they mean can be very different. Some of them are totally harmless, while others could be linked to more serious issues.
Petechiae and Purpura
Tiny red dots on the skin are called cherry angiomas, and they happen because of damaged blood vessels or capillaries. Things like stress, coughing, or some medications can cause them. Usually, they are not dangerous, but they might show that there are other health issues, like problems with platelets.
Cherry Angiomas
Cherry angiomas look like small, raised, bright red bumps, and they are caused by too many blood vessels growing in one spot. Most of the time, cherry angiomas are harmless, and they tend to appear more as we get older.
Heat Rash
This is simple and pretty common based on where you are. The ‘rash’ happens when sweat gets stuck in sweat ducts, making itchy, red dots appear on the skin.
Allergic Reactions
This one is pretty clear. It happens because of an allergic reaction to food, things around us, medicines, or insect bites and stings, which causes the skin to turn red and get an itchy rash.
Folliculitis
This is when hair follicles get inflamed, usually because of bacteria or fungi. It leads to red dots filled with pus that can be uncomfortable.
Cellulitis
This is a bacterial infection of the skin that makes it red and swollen, and it feels warm when you touch it. Cellulitis often needs a doctor’s help and treatment with antibiotics.
Impetigo
This is a contagious bacterial infection that spreads easily among kids. Impetigo shows up as red sores that open up, ooze fluid, and then form a crust.
Vasculitis
A condition involving inflammation of blood vessels. Vasculitis causes red dots to appear on the skin and can be linked to autoimmune disorders or infections.
Hemangiomas
These are birthmarks caused by unusual blood vessel growth. Sometimes, medical help might be required, but they are usually not dangerous.
To sum it up, seeing red dots on your skin doesn’t always mean there’s a problem. However, it’s crucial to get medical advice or help if:
- Red dots can show up with fever, pain, or other kinds of discomfort.
- The dots grow quickly in size, number, or how strong they feel.
- These dots also bring other symptoms such as tiredness, weakness, or feeling dizzy.
