Noticing red dots on your skin can be worrying, but they are usually common and caused by several different things.
One cause is petechiae or purpura, tiny red spots formed when small blood vessels break. This can result from physical effort, coughing, or medication side effects but often is harmless.
Cherry angiomas are little red bumps that form from extra blood vessels. They tend to appear more as we get older and are safe.
Heat rash causes red itchy dots when sweat blocks your skin’s ducts, mainly in hot climates.
Allergic reactions to foods, medicine, or insect bites can produce a red itchy rash covering parts of the skin.
Folliculitis inflames hair follicles, causing red bumps that may feel sore.
Serious infections like cellulitis cause redness, swelling, and warmth and require medical care. Impetigo causes contagious red sores that ooze and later crust.
Vasculitis is blood vessel inflammation resulting in red spots, sometimes linked with autoimmune diseases.
Hemangiomas are harmless birthmarks that result from blood vessel growth in the skin.
If red dots come with symptoms like fever, pain, fast spreading, or make you feel generally unwell, you should see a health professional.
