Red spots and dots on skin: pictures and possible causes

Tiny red dots have many causes; two described on this page are cherry angiomas and petechiae. Cherry angiomas are small, raised, round red bumps that often appear in groups; an estimated half of adults have them after age 30, and they are harmless. Petechiae are flat, pinpoint spots of bleeding under the skin that keep their colour when you press on them; their causes range from straining or a skin injury to serious illness, so call a doctor about them. A cherry angioma can be confused with a mole or melanoma, so have a doctor look at any spot you are unsure about. If a rash does not fade when you press a glass against it, call emergency services now (warning signs). Sources: Cleveland Clinic — Cherry angioma, Cleveland Clinic — Petechiae, NHS — meningitis symptoms.

Cherry angiomas and petechiae usually do not itch. Cherry angiomas are raised and become more common with age. Petechiae are flat and stay purple, red or brown when pressed; call a doctor about them, and get medical attention quickly if they spread or come with fever. If a rash does not fade when you press a glass against it, call emergency services now (warning signs). Sources: Cleveland Clinic — Cherry angioma, Cleveland Clinic — Petechiae, NHS — meningitis symptoms.

That depends on the cause. Pinpoint spots of bleeding under the skin are called petechiae. Cherry angiomas, also called Campbell de Morgan spots, are one possible cause of small, raised red bumps. The atlas describes the raised, itchy bumps of hives as wheals. The terms used in the atlas quotes are explained under the pictures. Sources: Cleveland Clinic — Petechiae, Cleveland Clinic — Cherry angioma.

Among the conditions on this page, the atlas quotes describe hives as itchy wheals, scabies as an intense itch that is worse at night and when warm in bed, and contact dermatitis as occasionally itchy. Allergies, insect bites or stings and dry skin can also cause itchy spots. Get urgent medical advice if hives are spreading, keep coming back, do not improve after 2 days, or come with a high temperature and you feel unwell. Sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue, or trouble breathing, needs emergency help. Sources: NHS — Hives, Cleveland Clinic — Cherry angioma.

Emotional stress is one of the possible triggers of hives, along with hot, sweaty skin from exercise, certain foods, medicines, insect bites or stings and infections. Hives usually get better within a few days. If hives keep coming back, get urgent medical advice: you may be allergic to something. Sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue, or trouble breathing, needs emergency help. Source: NHS — Hives.

Some skin cancers can appear as a red patch. See a GP about a new or changing mole, or a mole that is painful, itchy, inflamed, bleeding or crusty — don’t wait 4 weeks for these. Also see a GP if a growth on your skin is getting bigger or has changed colour or texture, or if a growth or area of skin hurts, itches, bleeds, crusts or scabs for more than 4 weeks. Cherry angiomas, a common cause of small red bumps, are not a sign of cancer. Sources: NHS — skin cancer symptoms, NHS — melanoma symptoms, Cleveland Clinic.

Petechiae can have causes including straining, a skin injury, infections, a low platelet count and leukaemia; how they look cannot tell you the cause. Symptoms of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) can include feeling very tired, looking paler than usual, bruising or bleeding easily, getting ill a lot and swollen glands. These symptoms can have many causes and do not necessarily mean leukaemia, but if you have them, ask for an urgent GP appointment. If a rash does not fade when you press a glass against it, or any warning sign is present, call emergency services now. Sources: Cleveland Clinic — Petechiae, NHS — leukaemia symptoms, NHS — meningitis symptoms.

A rash usually turns paler when you press on it. Petechiae, pinpoint spots of bleeding under the skin, keep their purple, red or brown colour. If a rash does not fade when you press a glass against it, call emergency services now (warning signs). Sources: Cleveland Clinic — Petechiae, NHS — meningitis symptoms.

Press the side of a clear glass firmly against the skin and look at the rash through it. A rash that does not fade under the glass can be a sign of meningitis and needs emergency help, in adults and children. On brown or black skin, check paler areas such as the palms, the soles of the feet and the roof of the mouth. Not everyone with meningitis gets a rash: if someone is unwell, get help without waiting for the test. Source: NHS — meningitis symptoms.

Treatment depends on the cause; see a doctor if you are not sure what the spots are. Cherry angiomas need no treatment, but if one bothers you or often bleeds, a doctor can remove it, for example with an electric needle, liquid nitrogen or a laser. Do not try to remove one at home. Call a doctor about petechiae; their treatment depends on the cause. If a rash does not fade when you press a glass against it, call emergency services now (warning signs). For hives, a pharmacist can advise on antihistamines. Sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue, or trouble breathing, needs emergency help. Sources: Cleveland Clinic — Cherry angioma, Cleveland Clinic — Petechiae, NHS — Hives.

Call emergency services now for a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it, sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue, struggling to breathe, skin, lips or tongue turning blue, grey or pale, sudden confusion or drowsiness, fainting, or a child who is limp or unresponsive. Get medical help quickly if tiny spots spread fast or come with fever. See a GP about a new or changing mole, or a mole that is painful, itchy, inflamed, bleeding or crusty — don’t wait 4 weeks for these. Also see a GP if a growth on your skin is getting bigger or changes colour or texture, or if a growth or area of skin hurts, itches, bleeds, crusts or scabs for more than 4 weeks. Sources: NHS — meningitis symptoms, Cleveland Clinic — Petechiae, NHS — skin cancer symptoms, NHS — melanoma symptoms.