Red spots on the skin: 25 possible causative diseases, and symptoms

What types of pathologies can cause red spots on the skin, and what are their characteristics?

There are many skin diseases, each with its own causes of appearance and also various symptoms approached from dermatology. However, among all the symptoms that can occur, there is one that is often repeated: red spots on the skin..

These spots do not necessarily indicate that there is a serious disease, in fact, sometimes they appear as an effect of a drug or due to stress, although in others it may be indicative of a serious disease such as skin cancer.

If this type of spots appear on our skin, it is advisable to go to a dermatologist to establish a diagnosis and make sure that nothing is wrong, and thus rule out any of the possible causes that we will discover below.

Characteristics of red spots on the skin

The skin is the largest organ of the human body.. By far, 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 our body's main barrier, preventing dangerous substances and pathogens from reaching the inside. 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, composed of cells that receive stimuli such as textures, pressure, pain and even changes in temperature.

The anatomy and physiology of the skin make this organ very well protected, but it is not immune to pathologies. The constant exposure to external threats, both in the form of pathogens and harmful substances, can cause pathologies and for this reason we speak of dermatological diseases. There are many skin pathologies, with characteristic symptoms, but one that is very often referred to is 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, on many occasions, it is a clinical sign that does not imply any seriousness, that one should not worry anxiously when seeing one, although it is necessary to 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. There are areas in which, whether or not there is a 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.

Below 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 patches appear on the skin. reddened areas appear on the face and in the visibility of the blood vessels, although pimples filled with redness may also appear.It can also appear pus-filled pimples. There is a genetic predisposition to suffer from it and it is more common in middle-aged white women, mostly of northern and eastern European, Germanic and Slavic descent. There is no cure but there are treatments to alleviate the symptoms.

2. Allergic reaction

Allergic reactions are more common than they may seem. About 40% of the world's population suffers from some type of allergic reaction.The most common allergies are to dust mites, pollen, animal hair and food. These are excessive immune reactions to exposure to the allergen, a substance that is not necessarily harmful to the body but is interpreted as such by the body.

Allergic skin reactions are very common and involve red spots. These spots can be prevented by avoiding exposure to the allergen and by treatment with antihistamines.

3. Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is inflammation and reddening of the skin due to contact with an allergen.. The substance to which you are allergic causes an irritating reaction on the skin, causing not only the red spot to appear but also itching, dryness, scaling or even blistering.

4. Bites

Insect bites can produce red spots at the site of the bite. Their appearance is due to the body's inflammatory reaction and to the action of certain substances released by the biting insects.. Most bites are usually treated topically, with ointments easily available in any pharmacy.

5. Side effect of a drug

Drugs are not harmlessof course. In addition to their therapeutic effect they have several adverse effects and in many drugs red spots on the skin are one of them. Skin side effects are common, but not usually serious.

6. Excess stress

Surprising as it may seem to many, stress can cause the appearance of red spots on the skin. Some people, when they are going through an emotionally stressful situation, may somatize to the stress, manifesting physical symptoms.The skin is reddened, manifesting physical symptoms and one of them is the reddening of the skin.

7. Atopic dermatitis or eczema

The atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema or eczema, is a common skin disease in children that is characterized by the appearance of red patches on the skin. characterized by the appearance of itchy red patches on the skin.. Its cause is usually genetic, making the skin 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 itching.

8. Seborrheic eczema

Seborrheic eczema is a variety of dermatitis that usually manifests itself on the scalp.causing the red spots to appear mostly on the skin of the head. It may also appear in the mouth, nose and ears.

9. Diaper dermatitis

Diaper dermatitis is a disease peculiar to infants, being one of the most common among neonatal diseases. As its name suggests the skin in the area covered by the diaper becomes red and itchy.. It is caused by bacteria present in the feces, which produce ammonia, a chemical irritant to the skin. It is easily avoided by changing the baby's diapers as soon as possible and, if it appears, treat 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 neither serious nor contagious, but it affects the quality of life of the affected person, although, fortunately, antifungal ointments are available. There are also specific drugs taken orally, although they are reserved for the most serious cases.

11. Infectious cellulitis

Infectious cellulitis (not to be confused with edematous cellulitis) is a dermatological disease that occurs in the skin. is a dermatological disease that is caused by a bacterial infection and can have serious complications. and can lead to serious complications. This skin infection is most common on the legs, produced mainly by bacteria such as staphylococci or streptococci, which enter through a cut in the skin. Red spots appear in the area of the cut.

It must be treated quickly with Antibiotics since the bacteria can spread through the body and be life-threatening.

12. Scabies

Scabies is a dermatologic disease caused by the Sarcoptes scabieia mite which parasitizes the skin and is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. When this mite bites us, symptoms appear 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 manage to 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 about 1 million cases diagnosed annually worldwide. Red spots can be a clinical sign of its appearance. If detected early, it can be treated by surgery, with a 98% chance of survival.

14. Impetigo

Impetigo is a very contagious skin disease common in children. Its symptoms include the appearance of sores around the mouth and nose which, over time, become crusty.. 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 it is caused by bacteria, the main way to treat it is with antibiotics.

15. Lupus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 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 can neither be prevented nor cured, but fortunately there are treatments such as anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants and corticosteroids, focused on softening the symptoms.

16. Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a pathology of the skin caused by a fungus, specifically the Candida albicans. This fungus is a normal inhabitant of our body but, under certain conditions, it can behave as a pathogen in our organism.. When this happens, it causes the appearance of reddish skin rashes 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 of age, and takes 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.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. The cause is not known.

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 becomes very red and swollen, 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 sequelae.

18. Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by infection of skin cells with the varicella-zoster virus.. It usually occurs in childhood because, after the first exposure, lifelong immunity develops.

It is the sixth most contagious disease in the world and its main symptoms include 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 present the disease because in adults it can be very serious.

19. Measles

Measles is a potentially fatal childhood disease that has not yet been fully eradicated, despite what many believe. This contagious pathology is still responsible for more than 100,000 child deaths every year. and is caused by an airborne virus of the Paramyxovirus family. Among its main symptoms is a reddish rash, although there is a risk of serious complications, which means that 10% of the 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. the body produces too many skin cells, which accumulate and cause red patches to form.. There is no cure for this disease and it is suffered chronically, although there are drugs to alleviate the symptoms.

21. Rubella X

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 mild that no symptoms appear. However, when symptoms do appear, the main clinical sign is the appearance of a pink rash. It is a mild disease for which there is also no cure, but there is a vaccine to prevent infection.

22. Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever can occur either at the same time as or after a strep throat infection. streptococcal throat infection.. In this disease, red rashes may appear all over the body, except on the hands and feet. The rashes are made up of small bumps that look like sandpaper. The tongue becomes bright red.

23. Fifth disease

The fifth disease, more properly called erythema infectiosumis a common pathology in infants caused by parvovirus. The reason it is so named is that historically it was the number five disease on the list of infantile pathologies characterized by the appearance of a rash. It is also called the slapping disease.

The skin spots occur as a round, shiny rash on the cheeks and are accompanied by headache, fatigue, low-grade fever, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea and runny nose. with headache, fatigue, low fever, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea and nasal discharge. On the arms, legs and upper body there are rashes with punctiform patterns.

24. Miliaria

Miliaria is also known as heat rash.. This skin disease occurs when the sweat ducts, i.e. the pores of the skin, become clogged and sweat becomes trapped. Heat rash occurs when clogged pores (sweat ducts) trap perspiration under the skin. Miliaria are small red spots that are usually accompanied by small, burning red bumps and appear mostly on the face, neck, back, chest and thighs.

25. Zika virus

Zika causes mildly raised, itchy, reddish spots that usually appear about 4 days after being bitten by the mosquito that transmits this virus.. The spots first appear on the face and then spread over the rest of the body within a few hours, lasting about 5 days.