Red Spots On The Skin: 25 Possible Causative Diseases, And Symptoms
There are many skin diseases, each with its own causes of appearance and also varied symptoms addressed by dermatology. However, among all the symptoms they may present, there is one that is often repeated: red spots on the skin
These spots do not have to indicate that there is a serious illness, in fact, sometimes they appear as an effect of a drug or due to stress, although in others it can be indicative of having a disease as serious as skin cancer.
If these types of spots appear on our skin, it is advisable to go to a dermatologist to establish a diagnosis and make sure that nothing bad is happening, and thus rule out any of the possible causes that we will discover below.
The skin is the largest organ in the human body Long, and never better said. If we skinned an adult of average height we would have more than two square meters of extension, and a somewhat Dantesque scene, of course. The skin is the main barrier of our body since it prevents dangerous substances and pathogens from reaching the interior. In addition to its great protective function, it also allows us to receive information from the external environment because it contains the sense of touch, made up of cells that receive stimuli such as textures, pressure, pain and even temperature changes.
The anatomy and physiology of the skin mean that this organ is very well protected, but it is not immune to suffering from pathologies. Constant exposure to threats from outside, both in the form of pathogens and harmful substances, means that it can present pathologies and for this reason we talk about dermatological diseases. There are many skin pathologies, with characteristic symptoms, but one that very often resolves are red spots
The causes behind red spots on the skin are many: infections, temperature changes, allergies, side effects of drugs, autoimmune disorders, stress… It should be noted that, in many cases, it is a clinical sign that does not imply any seriousness, that You don’t have to worry anxiously when you see one, although you do go to a dermatologist to rule out any pathology.
Main causes of red spots on the skin
Red spots on the skin are the appearance of color changes in this organ. Areas appear in which, whether or not there is some type of lump or dermatological condition, the skin takes on a more or less intense reddish tone. These spots may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as itching, tingling, pain of varying intensity. These spots can be caused by various medical problems, which makes their treatment and severity very varied.
Next we are going to see the main pathologies that can cause the appearance of red spots on the skin.
1. Rosacea
Rosacea is a skin condition in which red areas appear on the face and in the visibility of blood vessels , although pus-filled pimples may also appear. There is a genetic predisposition to suffer from it and it is more common in middle-aged white women, especially of northern and eastern European origin, of Germanic and Slavic ancestry. There is no cure but there are treatments to relieve the symptoms.
Allergic reactions are more common than you may think. About 40% of the world’s population suffers from some , the most common being allergies to mites, pollen, animal hair and food. These are excessive immune reactions to exposure to the allergen, a substance that does not have to be harmful to the body but the body interprets it as such.
Allergic skin reactions are very common and cause red spots. These spots can be prevented by avoiding exposure to the allergen and treating with antihistamines.
3. Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is inflammation and redness of the skin due to contact with an allergen The substance to which you are allergic causes an irritating reaction in the skin, causing not only the red spot to appear but also itching, dryness, flakes or even blisters.
4. Bites
Insect bites can cause red spots where the bite occurred. Its appearance is due to the inflammatory reaction of the body and the action of some substances that stinging insects release Most bites are usually treated topically, with ointments easily available at any pharmacy.
5. Side effect of a medication
The drugs are not harmless , naturally. In addition to their therapeutic effect, they have several adverse effects and in many medications, red spots on the skin are one of them. Skin side effects are common, but are not usually serious.
6. Excess stress
As surprising as it may seem to more than one, stress can cause red spots to appear on the skin. Some people, when they are going through an emotionally stressful situation, may somatize manifesting physical symptoms and one of them is redness of the skin.
7. Atopic dermatitis or eczema
Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema or eczema, is a common skin disease in children who It is characterized by the appearance of itchy red spots Its cause is usually genetic, causing the skin to be unable to protect itself well from the weather and making it more sensitive to irritation. There is no cure but there are ointments to relieve the itching.
8. Seborrheic eczema
Seborrheic eczema is a type of dermatitis that usually manifests on the scalp , causing red spots to appear mostly on the skin of the head. It can also appear in the mouth, nose and ears.
9. Diaper rash
Diaper dermatitis is a disease of babies, being one of the most common among neonatal diseases. As its name suggests, This consists of the skin in the area covered by the diaper becoming red and itchy The cause of this is the bacteria present in the feces, which produce ammonia, a chemical that irritates the skin. It is easily avoidable by changing the baby’s diapers as soon as possible and, if it appears, treating it with ointments that relieve the itching.
10. Ringworm
ringworm is a skin disease caused by fungi that colonize the skin and produce lesions accompanied by red spots Its spots usually appear on the back and shoulders. It is not serious or contagious, but it affects the quality of life of the affected person although, fortunately, there are antifungal ointments. There are also specific drugs ingested orally, although they are reserved for the most serious cases.
Infectious cellulitis (not to be confused with edematous cellulitis) It is a dermatological disease that occurs due to a bacterial infection and can lead to serious complications. This skin infection is most common on the legs, caused mainly by bacteria such as staphylococcus or streptococcus, which enter through a cut in the skin. Red spots appear in the cut area.
It must be treated quickly with antibiotics since the bacteria can spread throughout the body and be life-threatening.
12. Scabies
Scabies is a dermatological disease caused by Sarcoptes scabieia mite that parasitizes the skin and it is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. When this mite bites us, symptoms occur in the form of red spots and itching, which worsen at night. The star treatment for scabies consists of creams that are applied to the skin and destroy both the mite and its eggs.
13. Skin cancer
Skin cancer is a disease that occurs when a malignant tumor appears in the epidermis Its main cause is excessive exposure to solar radiation. It is the fifth most common oncological disease, with nearly 1 million cases diagnosed annually globally. Red spots can be a clinical sign of its appearance. If it is detected in time it can be treated by surgery, with a 98% chance of survival.
You may be interested: “Types of cancer: definition, risks and how they are classified”
14. Impetigo
Impetigo is a very contagious and common skin disease in children. Among its symptoms we find the appearance of sores around the mouth and nose that, over time, turn into scabs It is caused by a bacterial infection that triggers inflammatory reactions, which are responsible for the red spots of the disease. Its treatment is quite effective, since since it is caused by bacteria, the main way to treat it is with antibiotics.
15. Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus It is an autoimmune disease In this pathology, immune cells, due to hereditary programming errors, attack healthy cells in multiple organs and tissues, including the skin. In fact, the skin is one of the most commonly attacked regions, where the immune reaction causes the appearance of reddish rashes on the face, especially the cheeks and nose.
As its cause is genetic, it cannot be prevented or cured, but fortunately there are treatments such as anti-inflammatories, immunosuppressants and corticosteroids, focused on relieving the symptoms.
16. Candidiasis
Candidiasis is a skin pathology caused by a fungus, specifically Candida albicans. This fungus normally lives in our body but, when certain conditions occur, it can behave like a pathogen in our body When this happens, it causes reddish skin rashes to appear that are very itchy. Treatment consists of applying antifungal creams to kill the fungus.
17. Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease mainly affects children, under 5 years old, and occurs in the form of inflammation of the walls of the medium-sized arteries. It tends to affect the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle , which is why it is considered a medical emergency if it occurs. It is not known what its cause is.
This medical condition is also called mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome because it also affects the nodes, which swell during an infection. It also affects the skin and mucous membranes inside the mouth, nose and throat. The tongue acquires a very red hue and swells, there is a high fever, swelling, red palms and soles of the feet, and red eyes.
Although its symptoms can be frightening and it is considered a serious medical condition, it is usually treatable and most children recover from it without serious consequences.
Varicella It is a highly contagious disease, caused by the infection of the varicella-zoster virus in the skin cells It usually occurs in childhood because, after the first exposure, lifelong immunity develops.
It is the sixth most contagious disease in the world and among its main symptoms we find the appearance of a rash with red or pink papules. There is no treatment to eliminate the virus other than waiting for the body to fight the infection. However, there is a vaccine, and it is preferable to presenting the disease because in adults it can be very serious.
19. Measles
Measles is a potentially fatal childhood disease that has not been completely eradicated to this day, despite what many believe. This contagious pathology continues to be responsible for more than 100,000 child deaths each year and is caused by a virus of the Paramyxovirus family that is transmitted through the air. Among its main symptoms we find a reddish rash, although there is a risk of serious complications that mean that 10% of people who suffer from it do not survive.
There is no treatment for measles, but there is a vaccine.
20. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a dermatological condition that occurs when The body produces too many skin cells, building up and causing red spots to form There is no cure for this disease and it is suffered chronically, although there are drugs to relieve the symptoms.
21. Rubella
Rubella is a childhood disease of viral origin, similar to measles but not as serious or contagious In fact, it can be very mild, so much so that there are no symptoms. However, when they do appear, their main clinical sign is the appearance of a pink rash. It is a mild disease for which there is no cure, but there is a vaccine to avoid becoming infected.
22. Scarlet fever or scarlet fever
Scarlet fever can appear both at the same time and after it has occurred. a strep throat infection In this disease, red skin rashes may appear all over the body, except the hands and feet. The rashes are made up of small bumps that feel like sandpaper. The tongue acquires a bright red hue.
23. Fifth disease
The fifth disease, more properly called erythema infectiosum , is a common pathology in babies caused by parvovirus. The reason why it is called that is that historically it was disease number five on the list of childhood pathologies characterized by the appearance of a rash. It is also called slap disease.
The spots on the skin appear in the form of a round, shiny rash on the cheeks that present with headache, fatigue, low fever, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea and runny nose. Rashes with pinpoint patterns occur on the arms, legs and upper body.
24. Miliaria
Miliaria is also known as heat rash This skin disease appears when the sweat ducts, that is, the pores of the skin, become blocked and sweat is trapped. Heat rash occurs when clogged pores (sweat ducts) trap sweat under the skin. The red spots in miliaria are small that are usually accompanied by small red lumps that cause burning and appear mostly on the face, neck, back, chest and thighs.
25. Zika virus
Zika causes gently raised, itchy red spots that They usually appear about 4 days after being bitten by the mosquito that transmits this virus The spots appear first on the face and then spread to the rest of the body in a few hours, lasting about 5 days.
