What Does Red Spots On Skin Mean?
Red spots on the skin can mean anything from an acute skin infection to a chronic condition. Knowing what causes red spots on the skin will make treatment easier. Some of the common conditions that cause red spots include:
Heat Rash: Heat rash can cause small red, itchy, and prickly spots on the skin. It usually occurs in skin folds where sweat accumulates, like the groin, chest, back, arms, and armpits (1).
Contact Dermatitis: It is a common skin condition that occurs when you come in contact with an allergen or an irritating substance. The reaction may show up as an itchy, red rash on the skin (2). Ringworm: It is a fungal skin infection that causes red, itchy, circular rashes with raised edges and red spots. It can appear anywhere on the skin but is mainly found on the legs and arms (3).
Pityriasis Rosea: It is an inflammatory skin condition that starts with a big red patch on the skin, followed by small red spots with a ring-like shape. It usually appears on the chest, abdomen, or back (4). Atopic Dermatitis: It is a common skin condition that causes red, itchy, and scaly spots on the skin. It usually occurs in skin folds, like elbows, wrists, necks, knees, or ears (5). Lichen Planus: It is an autoimmune skin condition that causes raised red bumps on different parts of the body, such as the mouth, nails, throat, wrists, back, and ankles (6). Psoriasis: A psoriasis rash is an autoimmune skin disorder that gets triggered due to stress, infections, allergen, environmental factors, or injury. Red, itchy, and scaly patches develop on the body due to psoriasis (7).
Drug Rash: An allergic reaction to a medication can cause a drug rash on the skin. The reaction may appear as small, red bumps or hives and blisters. It may sometimes spread all over the body. Petechiae: These are small red dots on the skin formed when the blood vessels under the skin burst. They may occur on the legs, arms, buttocks, and stomach (8). Swimmer’s Itch: These are small, reddish pimples that form on the skin after swimming in water contaminated with parasites. They may sometimes cause itching and burning (9).
There are a few signs and symptoms that you need to look out for when you notice red spots on your skin. Find out more about them in the next section.
Signs And Symptoms
Red spots on the skin are a symptom of various skin conditions. However, a few common symptoms may accompany the red spots. These may change according to the underlying medical condition. Some of the common signs that occur with red spots are:
Tiny bumps Itching Flaky or scaly skin Red bumps Red, flat patches Pus-like discharge Swollen skin Burning sensation
These signs and symptoms may vary according to the underlying condition. You can try some home remedies to treat the red spots before visiting the doctor.
Natural Ways To Treat Red Spots On Skin
1. Lemon Juice
Lemon extracts are used in various skin lightening products due to their skin bleaching properties (10). Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, which has anti-pigmentary, antioxidant, and anti-aging effects on the skin (11). This can help in reducing the appearance of the red spots on the skin
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice Cotton pad/ball
Repeat this twice every day. Caution: If you have sensitive skin, dilute the lemon juice with an equal amount of water before applying it. Also, make sure you apply sunscreen after using this remedy as lemon juice can make your skin photosensitive.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
The mild acids present in apple cider vinegar tone the skin and restore the pH balance (12). ACV also has antibacterial properties that can help inhibit the bacteria causing the red spots (13). These properties can promote the healing of irritated and inflamed spots.
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons water Cotton ball
Do this twice a day.
3. Aloe Vera
The healing and soothing properties of aloe vera gel are often used to treat skin irritation and ailments (14). The essential nutrients, along with antioxidants and healing compounds, can reduce the red spots and make your skin healthy and glowing. An aloe vera leaf Apply aloe vera gel twice a day. Additionally, yogurt can help calm redness. Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, says, “Plain yogurt contains proteins that coat the surface of the skin to help repair the skin barrier and calm inflammation. It is also a great DIY treatment for sunburns.”
4. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil offers anti-inflammatory and skin protective benefits (15). It not only soothes and nourishes the skin but also protects it from UV radiation and bacterial infections (16). Virgin coconut oil Do this every night before going to bed. Caution: Avoid this remedy if you have acne-prone skin.
5. Cocoa Butter
The phytochemicals found in cocoa butter lighten the red spots and alleviate the associated inflammation. This butter also contains antioxidants that help to reverse the damage caused by free radicals. Cocoa butter is also extremely moisturizing for the skin (17). In addition, cocoa butter is a good source of vitamin E. “It is a potent antioxidant that reduces inflammation and also has emollient benefits to hydrate and soften cells in the outer skin layer,” adds Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner. Organic cocoa butter Repeat this every night. Caution: If you have oily skin, test the cocoa butter out on a small area first. As it is high in fat content, it might cause acne. Hence, a patch test is recommended before using it to remove red spots on the skin.
6. Dandelion Root
Dandelion root extracts can protect the skin from UVB radiation and prevent premature aging (18). It also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties (19). These properties can help reduce the red spots on the skin, especially those caused by acne and eczema.
1 teaspoon dandelion root powder A cup of hot water
Have 1-2 cups of dandelion root tea for a couple of days. Dr. Cory Gaskins, BSc, MD, CCFP, suggests a cold compress to soothe irritation and red spots. He says, “Cold compress constricts blood vessels, reduces inflammation, and numbs the pain. So, if you have a red, swollen spot on your skin, reaching for a cold compress is a good idea. Just be sure to wrap it in a cloth so that it doesn’t irritate your skin further. Leave the compress on for 10-15 minutes at a time, and you should see some improvement.” The remedies listed above serve as excellent toners, astringents, emollients, and detoxifying agents. They have shown to be helpful in lightening and fading red spots and soothing the skin to make it healthy. Use them regularly, and you will see the difference. Apart from these remedies, it is important you follow a proper skincare routine along with a healthy diet. Some essential tips are mentioned below.
Tips For Red Spots On Skin
1. Use Good Cosmetics And Personal Hygiene Products
Excessive and prolonged use of artificial cosmetics and chemical-based personal hygiene products, like lipsticks, powders, soaps, lotions, etc., especially the ones of inferior quality, can be harmful to the skin. They can contain corrosive and unhealthy ingredients. Use nutrient- and natural extract-rich cosmetics instead of their chemically packed counterparts to avoid ill effects like rashes, allergies, acne, red spots, etc. Don’t forget to check the expiry date of these products before applying them to avoid harmful chemical reactions on the skin.
2. Exfoliation
Regular and proper exfoliation of the affected area can aid the discoloration and fade away from red spots. It helps to get rid of dirt, unwanted oil, and dead and dry skin cells build-up on the epidermis that hinders the lightening of these red spots. Exfoliation helps in bringing new and healthy skin to the surface, thereby making your skin spotless and flawless. Exfoliating and scrubbing can be done with natural and organic products, pumice stone, washcloth, and scrubs. They remove the unwanted cells from the surface of the skin and make it look fresh and revitalized.
3. Avoiding Sun Exposure
Red spots on the skin can deepen and aggravate due to exposure to the harmful rays of the sun. They can damage the skin cells, promote excess melanin synthesis in the affected region, cause skin burns, etc. This damage to the skin decelerates the process of fading and lightening the red spots. Hence, it is best to protect oneself from these harmful UV rays and use sunscreens and skin care products containing SPF.
4. Proper And Healthy Diet
Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is a prerequisite for having clear, spotless, and healthy skin. An unhealthy diet can cause allergies, digestive problems, acne, pimples, dryness of skin, etc., which can further initiate the appearance of undesirable red spots on the face and body. To avoid this, one should follow a diet rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, which can help the body combat diseases by boosting immunity levels. Despite taking all the precautions and using home remedies, you may notice that the red spots on your skin are not fading. Learn when you should consult a doctor in the next section.
When Should You See A Doctor?
If home remedies do not work and you want to get rid of the red spots quickly, visit a dermatologist and opt for professional skin treatments like an AHA or BHA chemical peel. You may have to visit a dermatologist if the red marks have been on your skin since birth (for example, birthmarks). These are a result of genetic factors. In such cases, it is very difficult to fade or lighten these red spots naturally. Cosmetic procedures are the only way to remove these spots. The use of medicines, ointments, skin creams like calamine, laser treatments, surgical options, and other medical and clinical alternatives are helpful in treating, lightening, and removing these unwanted red spots from the body. Also, if the red spots on the skin are accompanied by fever, fatigue, swelling, breathing trouble, pain, or pus, it is best to seek medical attention at the earliest.
The Final Takeaway
What are red blood spots? Red blood spots are reddish or purplish spots called purpura and develop when the blood vessels underlying the skin burst open. Does cancer cause red spots on the skin? Yes, leukemia or blood cancer may cause red spots on the skin (20). What do leukemia red spots look like? Leukemia spots generally appear in patches and look like pinpoint reddish or purplish spots that may be flat or raised. Can stress cause red spots on the skin? Yes. Stress can cause stress rashes or hives, that look like raised red bumps on the skin (21). Do you get red spots on the skin during pregnancy? Pregnancy skin rash is a common skin condition. So, there are chances of red rash-like skin spots during pregnancy. How do I get rid of red spots on my face overnight? Getting rid of the red spots on your face overnight is a challenge. Some believe applying toothpaste to the spots may help, though we recommend against it as it may cause adverse effects. You may instead ice the area, which can help ease the inflammation. What do I do to the itchy red spots on my face? Keep yourself from scratching them, as it only makes things worse. Apply calamine lotion to the spots to relieve the itching. How do you get rid of cherry angiomas on the face? Some believe that applying diluted apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil may help treat cherry angiomas on the face. Their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties may help shrink these benign skin growths. However, more research is warranted in this regard.
