Red spots on skin: Pictures, causes, treatment
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1. Pityriasis versicolor (Tinea versicolor)
Online dermatologist question
15 year old girl. I have red spots/ blotches on my back, I just realized it as I stepped out of the shower. Do not know where they came from or if they’re of harm? Please help.
Red Spots on Skin: Pityriasis Versicolor (Tinea Versicolor) on the Back – Red spots and blotches on the skin, characteristic of the fungal skin infection
Online dermatologist Answer
Based on the information and images of your back, this is possibly PITYRIASIS VERSICOLOR, fungal infection resulting in white, reddish scaling patches on skin. This is more common in young people, combined with sun exposure. It is not dangerous or contagious. You can treat this with over-the-counter (OTC) Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with ketoconazole over the entire body 2 times/week for 3 weeks or Miconazole Nitrate 2% Antifungal Cream twice a day for 10 days. If it doesn’t get better or it gets worse after 6 weeks, see a dermatologist in person.
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2. Telangiectasia
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23 year old man. I have a raised red spot on my nose. It has been there for a while, just wondering if it is bad and if something can be done.
Red Spots on Skin: Telangiectasia – Small Dilated Blood Vessels Causing Visible Redness on Skin Surface
Answer
Based on the information and images submitted of your nose, this looks like a TELANGIECTASIA : Small dilated blood vessels on the surface of the skin causing red spots. In exceptional cases it might be caused by an underlying disease, but in this case it looks normal. If you get more or it grows see a doctor in person. Furthermore, if it disturbs you from a practical or aesthetic point of view a dermatologist can easily help you to get rid of it either by laser or electrocoagulation.
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3. Shingles (Herpes zoster)
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40 year old male. Red spots appeared on my shoulder a few days ago and are itchy. I don’t have any known allergies.
Red Spots on Knee with Itchiness: Possible Herpes Zoster (Shingles) – Painful Skin Rash with Blisters.
Answer
This looks very much like like shingles, also known as herpes zoster, which is the reactivation of the chicken pox virus. It is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a localized area. See your GP for antiviral treatment such as aciclovir. This can become painful so consider paracetamol if uncomfortable.
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4. Insect bites
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29 year old female. I have had a feeling of itchiness that started last Tuesday night. Last Wednesday, I had some fever and muscle pain. Thursday I started to see red spots around my chests and along side the body. Now I see a few spots on my arms, legs and over my face and scalp. It’s itchy and painful to touch.
Itchy Red Spots on Chest, Arms, Legs, Face, and Scalp: Suspected Insect Bites, Widespread and Persistent
Answer
This looks like insect bites, but the fact that you also have had a fever and muscle or joint pain makes it difficult to exclude other diagnoses such as Erythema Multiforme or Sweet’s Syndrome. These syndromes can be caused by different medicines or viral infections for example. I would recommend that you see a dermatologist as soon as possible for testing. You can take paracetamol to relieve the pain and the fever. The itchiness can be relieved with a Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream.
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5. Contact dermatitis caused by plants
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30 year old male. The red spots appeared a few days after working In my yard. They are on my left lower leg, arm and fingers. It seems they have gotten worse and are blistering. They first appeared 4-5 days ago on Thursday or Friday. I have treated them with hydrocortisone 1% and Zanfel. Also, have taken Benadryl.
Red Spots and Blisters on Left Lower Leg, Arm, and Fingers: Contact Dermatitis from Plant Exposure – Likely Reaction to Primula or Chrysanthemum
Answer
Based on the information and images of your leg and history, this looks like Contact Dermatitis caused by plants: Most often caused by primula or chrysanthemum. Itching rash, red streaks with blisters is common. Treatmnent: Avoid the causing plant. Use cortisone cream as you are doing twice a day for a week. If it doesn’t improve see a physician.
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6. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis
Online dermatologist question
My husband who is 48 years old. just noticed tiny red dots (not bumps) on the lower shin/calf areas of both legs, approx 6″ beneath knees and 1″ above ankle. He is at tailend of a cold or sinus infection. Lots of coughing and head and chest congestion with clear mucous. This was his first time to take Musonex DM.
Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis on Feet: Tiny Red Dots Indicating Inflammation of Small Blood Vessels in the Skin
Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis on Legs: Distinct Red Dots on Lower Shins and Calves, Reflecting Vascular Inflammation
Answer
Thanks for the images of the legs and the history. It looks like it could be Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis, an inflammation of small blood vessels in the skin. The typical red spots that appear on the feet, ankles and lower legs may sometimes spread up to the thighs and even to the trunk. This type of reaction is usually caused by a previous infection or new medication. Elevation of the legs and the use of compression stockings may be useful. Treatment of the underlying infection or removal of the drug causing this may of course help the lesions to clear quicker. If no improvement is noted within 1-2 weeks, if the lesions should spread or if abdominal pains are present, I recommend that you see a dermatologist in person for blood work and possibly a skin biopsy, if needed, a treatment plan.
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7. Angioma (Cherry)
Online dermatologist question
First noticed it a couple of months ago after nicking it with razor and it bleed a lot. It has increased in size since then and is painful. I have had squamous cell cancer in the past and am wondering if this could also be a cancerous growth.
Possible Angioma on Stomach: Benign Proliferation of Small Blood Vessels, Common in Adults, with Lesions Varying in Size and Color from Red to Dark Red, Blue, or Violaceous
Answer
Thank you for sending your case. Based on the information and images of your stomach, this is possibly an Angioma. An angioma is a small and benign proliferation of small blood vessels. Very common in adults. Several such lesions can appear with different sizes. Normally red in color but they can also be dark red, blue or violaceous. Harmless. Treatment is not needed unless for cosmetic reasons. If it becomes darker or you have pain or discomfort, I recommend that you see a dermatologist.
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Sources:
Pityriasis versicolor. Renati S, Cukras A, Bigby M BMJ. 2015 Apr 7;350:h1394
Epidemiology and determinants of facial telangiectasia: a cross-sectional study. Mekić S et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019 Oct 8. doi: 10.1111/jdv.15996.
The risk of herpes zoster virus infection in patients with depression: A longitudinal follow-up study using a national sample cohort.
Choi HG et al Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Oct;98(40):e17430.
Arthropod Bites and Stings Treated in Emergency Departments: Recent Trends and Correlates.
Vaughn MG et al. Wilderness Environ Med. 2019 Aug 10.
Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Dermatitis: What Is Known and What Is New? Kim Y et al. Dermatitis. 2019 May/Jun;30(3):183-190.
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis with Koebner phenomenon associated with Ehlers Danlos syndrome. Haddock EES JAAD Case Rep. 2019 Jul 31;5(8):666-668.
Cherry Angiomas-Further Expanding the Phenotype With Somatic GNAQ and GNA11 Mutations. Siegel DH JAMA Dermatol. 2019 Feb 1;155(2):148-149.
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Dr. Raquel Molina Martinez is a board-certified dermatologist from Barcelona with over a decade of experience. Trained at Gothenburg’s University Hospital, she now practices at Centre Medic in Catalonia.
