If you’re between the ages of 45 and 65, like me, you probably keep a close eye on any changes in your body. It’s important to stay alert and act if something seems off. So, you can imagine my concern when I woke up one morning to find a cluster of red dots on my shoulder. Naturally, I turned to the internet for answers.
Red spots on the skin can appear for a variety of reasons. While some may disappear on their own, others might need treatment. Common causes include allergic reactions, acne scars, vascular birthmarks, angiomas, protein overproduction, heat rash, insect bites, leaking capillaries, and autoimmune conditions.
Here are some potential causes of red spots:
- Petechiae & Purpura: These small red dots result from damaged blood vessels or capillaries, often due to stress, coughing, or certain medications. While usually harmless, they can sometimes indicate platelet abnormalities.
- Cherry Angiomas: These are small, raised, bright red bumps caused by the expansion of blood vessels, commonly appearing with age and typically harmless.
- Heat Rash: This occurs when sweat becomes trapped in sweat ducts, leading to itchy, red spots on the skin.
- Allergic Reactions: Redness may result from an allergic reaction to food, chemicals, medications, or insect bites or stings.
- Folliculitis: This is an inflammation of hair follicles caused by bacterial or fungal infections, resulting in painful, red, pus-filled spots.
- Cellulitis: A bacterial skin infection that leads to redness and swelling, often requiring medical treatment and antibiotics.
- Vasculitis: An inflammation of blood vessels, which can be related to autoimmune diseases or infections.