A person may notice red dots on their skin for a number of reasons, ranging from allergic reactions to heat exposure.<\/p>\n
Many causes of red dots on the skin are harmless and resolve on their own. Others may require at-home or over-the-counter (OTC) treatment.<\/p>\n
In this article, we discuss some of the possible causes of red dots on the skin, their treatment options, and when to contact a doctor.<\/p>\n
Skin rashes come in a variety of sizes, colors, and textures.<\/p>\n
Not all rashes require emergency medical treatment. However, people should seek immediate medical attention if they have a rash and notice any of the following symptoms:<\/p>\n
People should also seek immediate attention for any new rashes that are painful and that affect the eyes, inside of the mouth, or genitalia.<\/p>\n
When in doubt, a person should seek the opinion of a primary care provider or board-certified dermatologist.<\/p>\n
Heat rash, or miliaria, occurs when the sweat glands become blocked, trapping sweat in the deep layers of the skin.<\/p>\n
While anyone can have heat rash, this condition is most common among infants and young children with immature sweat glands.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of heat rash include:<\/p>\n
Heat rash usually goes away within 24 hours.<\/p>\n
Treatment typically involves using lotions to soothe the itching, irritation, and swelling.<\/p>\n
People can also keep the skin cool and avoid tight-fitting clothing.<\/p>\n
Learn more about the treatment options for heat rash here.<\/p>\n
Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a common skin condition that causes tiny red, white, or flesh-colored bumps on the skin.<\/p>\n
It most often affects the outer parts of the upper arms. It can also affect the forearms and upper back, but this is less common.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of KP include:<\/p>\n
People can treat the symptoms of KP with:<\/p>\n
Learn more about home management for KP here.<\/p>\n
Contact dermatitis occurs when a person comes into contact with a substance that irritates their skin or triggers an allergic reaction.<\/p>\n
Contact dermatitis symptoms vary depending on the trigger and the severity of the reaction.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of contact dermatitis include:<\/p>\n
Learn more about contact dermatitis here.<\/p>\n
Treatment for contact dermatitis depends on the cause and severity of a persons symptoms.<\/p>\n
Mild to moderate symptoms improve when a person avoids contact with the irritant or allergen. If possible, people should:<\/p>\n
If the dermatitis is limited to a small area, a person can apply 1% hydrocortisone cream.<\/p>\n
A doctor can prescribe stronger topical or oral antihistamines for people who do not respond to OTC medication. <\/p>\n
Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition.<\/p>\n
There are many different types of eczema, including:<\/p>\n
Alongside red bumps on the skin, eczema can cause:<\/p>\n
People can manage atopic dermatitis symptoms and even prevent flare-ups with the following treatments:<\/p>\n
For severe atopic dermatitis that does not respond to the above treatment options, a person should see a board-certified dermatologist.<\/p>\n
Taking bleach baths, which require using half a cup of bleach per 40-gallon tub, 12 times per week may also help.<\/p>\n
Learn more about the treatment options for eczema here.<\/p>\n
Rosacea is a skin condition that causes skin irritation, redness, and small pimples.<\/p>\n
Although anyone can develop rosacea at any point in their lives, this condition most often occurs among adults aged 3060 years, people with fair skin, and those going through menopause.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of rosacea include:<\/p>\n
People can treat rosacea with various strategies and medication. Some strategies that can help relieve rosacea include:<\/p>\n
People should also avoid caffeinated products and spicy foods, as these can also trigger rosacea.<\/p>\n
Medical treatments for rosacea include:<\/p>\n
Learn more about the treatment options for rosacea here.<\/p>\n
Certain infections can also lead to red dots on the skin.<\/p>\n
If a person suspects an infection of the skin, they should consult a doctor.<\/p>\n
Examples of these include:<\/p>\n
The varicella-zoster virus causes these infections, which produce red, itchy, fluid-filled blisters that can appear anywhere on the body.<\/p>\n
Chickenpox usually occurs in infants and young children. However, adolescents and adults can also develop chickenpox.<\/p>\n
Shingles occurs in adults who have already had chickenpox. According to the National Institute on Aging, shingles usually affects one area on one side of the body.<\/p>\n
This contagious viral infection causes a distinctive rash of small red or pink dots. <\/p>\n
The rash usually starts on the face before spreading to the trunk, arms, and legs. Rubella infections also cause a fever, a headache, and swollen lymph nodes.<\/p>\n
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that rubella is a relatively rare infection in the United States due to the widespread use of the MMR vaccine. The vaccine is available for infants and children aged between 9 months and 6 years.<\/p>\n
Meningitis is a medical emergency. It is the inflammation of the membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain. It typically occurs due to a bacterial or viral infection.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of meningitis include:<\/p>\n
A rash does not always appear. However, if it does, a person might notice small pink, red, brown, or purple pinpricks on the skin. Also, it will not fade when a person rolls a glass over it.<\/p>\n
The CDC define Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as a type of bacteria that is resistant to several antibiotics.<\/p>\n
MRSA often infects the skin, leading to painful areas of inflamed skin. People may also experience pus drainage from the affected skin and fever.<\/p>\n
Other bacterial infections of the skin may also cause painful and inflamed areas of the skin. If a person suspects that they are experiencing a skin infection, they should consult a doctor.<\/p>\n
Streptococcus bacteria cause this infection.<\/p>\n
These bacteria naturally inhabit the nose and throat. They cause a red rash on the neck, under the armpit, and on the groin. The rash consists of small red dots that are rough to the touch.<\/p>\n
If a person suspects an infection of the skin, they should always consult a doctor.<\/p>\n
People should also speak with a doctor if their rash does not improve despite using OTC or at-home treatments.<\/p>\n
People should also seek medical attention if they have a skin rash accompanied by the following symptoms:<\/p>\n
If a person suspects a skin infection, they should contact a healthcare professional before trying any home remedies.<\/p>\n
To relieve and manage skin rashes, people can try the following home treatments:<\/p>\n
There are several possible causes for red dots on the skin, including heat rash, KP, contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis.<\/p>\n
Red dots on the skin may also occur due to more serious conditions, such as a viral or bacterial infection.<\/p>\n
If people suspect that they have a skin infection, they should contact a doctor rather than use home remedies.<\/p>\n
People can treat some skin rashes and their accompanying symptoms with home remedies and OTC treatments. These include avoiding the source of irritation and using OTC anti-itch ointments.<\/p>\n
People can contact a doctor or dermatologist if their symptoms persist despite using at-home or OTC treatments. A doctor or dermatologist can diagnose the underlying cause and make appropriate treatment recommendations.<\/p>\n
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