Tiny red spots on skin may signify the occurrence of several underlying skin conditions. Some disorders disappear on their own without treatment, while others need medical therapy.
Causes of tiny red spots on skin
Some of the different conditions which cause tiny red spots on skin are listed below:
- Acne: It typically affects teens and fades away when one reaches 25 years of age. It is caused due to bacterial infection and can result in whitish or tiny red spots on skin, a reddish pimple, or a blackhead.
- Allergic reactions: Tiny red spots on skin may develop as an allergic reaction to certain foods and drugs, or to environmental allergens like pollen, duct etc. They may also form due to mosquito and ant bites, or wasp and bee stings. Sun allergies like actinic prurigo, polymorphous light eruption, and solar urticarial may also cause the skin anomalies after prolonged contact with the sun. Most spots caused due to allergic reactions are itchy.
- Boils: They appear as tiny red spots on skin or as pus-filled, yellow-pinkish bumps and occur throughout the body.
- Cherry angioma:It is identified by development of dome-shaped, purplish or reddish, non-itchy bumps. It occurs across age groups.
- Heat rash: It is a common skin condition caused due to trapping of sweat below the skin after prolonged sun exposure.
- Birthmarks: They can be congenital or appear after birth. The accompanying tiny red spots on skin are related to minor blood vessels anomalies.
- Shingles: The initial stages of this disease causes pain, itchiness, burning sensations and tingling across the body. The later stages lead to formation tiny red spots on skin.
- Dermatofibromas: The characteristic solid, brown or tiny red lumps are caused due to accumulation of soft tissues called fibroblasts. They typically affect the legs and torso and may be accompanied by itchiness or pain.
- Measles: Tiny red spots on skin develop 10 to 12 days after initial measles infection. The symptoms first appear on the face and then migrate to other parts of the body.
- Petechiae: It is caused due to bleeding of capillaries occurring below the skin. The resultant tiny red spots on skin do not lose color on application of pressure.
- Rosacea: It has no known causes, but may have genetic links. Individuals with fair skin are usually affected. It causes a flushed facial appearance along with formation of pimple-like, red clusters on skin.
- Pyogenic granulomas: It generally affects children and is caused due to blood vessels buildup. It results in formation of tiny red spots on skin which may also be bluish, brownish, or purplish. The exact cause of blood capillaries accumulation is not known.
Treatment of tiny red spots on skin
- Tiny red spots on skin are treated as per underlying causes. Diseases such as measles, shingles, petechiae, chronic cherry angioma, dermatofibromas, rosacea, etc. need a visit to the doctor for diagnosis and relevant treatment.
- Topical medications and a healthy diet can clear acne
- Allergic reactions can be prevented by avoiding allergens. Antihistamines may be prescribed for hives. You may also visit a physician to get tested for allergies
- Large, pus-filled boils may require draining
