The wonderful thing about our skin is that it has the innate knack for kicking up a fuss right when we'd rather it did not and waking up with unidentifiable red spots on your skin is enough to cause a helluva lot of stress. Whether they're on your face or over your arms and legs, red spots can be baffling and worrying, leaving us thinking, “Is it a bumpy rash that will go away on its own or should I do something about it?”
Of course, it might be tricky to self-diagnose - after all, red spots on your skin can come in all shapes and sizes, with a very broad range of possible explanations. Fear not, however, because we're here to help.
We've asked Dr Ginni Mansberg, GP, Skin Expert and Founder of ESK Skincare, to help break down exactly what that strange red spot rash might be, what to look out for and how it might be treated. If you think you've identified said rash on our list, do seek help from your doctor or pharmacist so you can get the best treatment. You definitely do not want to make things worse.
Here's our lowdown of some of the top causes of red spots on your skin — and how to treat them.
Red scaly patches
What it could be: Psoriasis
What is psoriasis/ how is it caused? “Affecting up to 2.5% of the population, psoriasis can be a devastating skin condition. Luckily only half of all psoriasis sufferers ever get it on the face, and when it happens, it seems to be mostly pretty mild, compared to other parts of the body. It is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that causes the rapid buildup of skin cells. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, leading to inflammation and the formation of thick, red patches covered with silvery scales.”
How is it identified? “Psoriasis is identified by the presence of raised, red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery-white scales. These patches can appear anywhere on the body, but they are commonly found on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back.”
How can it be treated? “There is no cure for psoriasis so the aim of any treatment including skincare is to reduce its severity, so it doesn’t have quite the same impact on your life. Pretty much everyone with psoriasis needs a doctor to help manage it. First-line therapy of psoriasis usually consists of topical medications including emollients, tar, dithranol, corticosteroids and calcipotriol- an analogue of vitamin D3.
“I recommend Salicylic acid, especially in combination with urea. Used at concentrations between 2 and 10%, salicylic acid breaks the bonds between the skin cells by breaking down the glue that bonds them together. This allows excess skin to be shed instead of building up in plaques. It also lowers the pH of the stratum corneum, increasing hydration and softening the skin. It is also anti-itch. Only use it on <10% of the body’s surface area to reduce the risk of too much being absorbed into the bloodstream. Moisturising skin affected by psoriasis can help keep it softer and healthier and prevent a relapse. Moisturisers containing ceramides have been found to be particularly effective.”
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Red splotches and bumps
What it could be: Contact dermatitis
What is contact dermatitis/ how is it caused? “Contact dermatitis is a condition characterised by inflammation of the skin that occurs when it comes into contact with certain substances or allergens. It can be caused by exposure to irritants like chemicals, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, or allergens such as metals, or certain plants.”
How is it identified? “Contact dermatitis is typically identified by the presence of red, itchy, and sometimes swollen patches or blisters on the skin. The affected area may also feel warm or tender to the touch.”
How can it be treated? “Treatment for contact dermatitis involves avoiding the irritant or allergen that triggered the reaction. Additionally, over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams or calamine lotion can help alleviate itching and inflammation. Avoid soap and alcohol-based toners, which disrupt the pH of the skin and dry it out, increasing trans-epidermal water loss and making all inflammatory skin conditions from acne and rosacea to eczema and dermatitis worse. Severe cases may require prescription-strength corticosteroid creams or oral medications, such as antihistamines, to manage symptoms.”
Small red bumps over your body
What it could be: Folliculitis
What is folliculitis / how is it caused? “Folliculitis is an infection or inflammation of the hair follicles, the small openings in the skin where hair grows. It can be caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or even physical irritation.”
“Folliculitis is identified by the presence of small, red bumps or pustules around hair follicles. These bumps may be itchy, painful, or filled with pus. Folliculitis can occur anywhere on the body where hair is present, including the scalp, face, chest, back, or groin.”
How can it be treated? “Treatment for folliculitis depends on the underlying cause. Mild cases may resolve on their own, but in some instances, topical or oral antibiotics, antifungal medications, or antiviral drugs may be prescribed. It's important to keep the affected area clean and avoid further irritation or trauma.”
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Patchy purple/red sore patches
What it could be: Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
What is atopic dermatitis / how is it caused? “Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that is often associated with allergies and a compromised skin barrier. It can be triggered by various factors, including irritants, allergens, stress, or genetic predisposition. People with eczema have less ceramides in their skin, plus a disruption in the ceramides that are there, with lower levels of larger size ceramide and higher levels of smaller ceramides. This disrupts the skin barrier function, contributes to trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) and makes the skin dry and prone to injury and infection. Lots of studies have found that adding ceramides to skin care helps with eczema and dermatitis, making it less dry, inflamed and itchy as well as reducing TEWL, increasing moisture content, and restoring skin barrier function.”
How is it identified? “Atopic dermatitis is identified by the presence of itchy, dry, red, and inflamed patches of skin. The affected areas may also develop blisters, crusts, or scales, and the condition can occur anywhere on the body.”
How can it be treated? “Treatment for atopic dermatitis involves maintaining proper skin hydration through regular use of moisturisers, avoiding triggers that worsen symptoms, and using mild, fragrance-free soaps and detergents. Topical corticosteroids or immunomodulators may be prescribed to reduce inflammation during flare-ups. In severe cases, systemic medications or phototherapy may be recommended. Again, ESK’s REPAIR + helps skin stay hydrated all day with this deeply nourishing cream to repair irritable, dry and moody skin to restore it to its natural radiance.”
Cherry-red bumps
What it could be: Cherry angiomas
What are cherry angiomas / how are they caused? “Cherry angiomas, also known as senile angiomas or Campbell de Morgan spots, are small, benign (non-cancerous) skin growths caused by an overgrowth of the cells that line your blood vessels. The exact cause of cherry angiomas is unknown, but they tend to be more common with age. In fact 75% of people over 75 have them! There also seems to be a genetic component”
How are they identified? “Cherry angiomas are identified by the presence of bright red, round or oval-shaped bumps on the skin. They are usually small in size, ranging from a pinhead to about one-fourth of an inch in diameter.”
How can they be treated? “Treatment for cherry angiomas is usually not necessary unless they cause discomfort or bleeding. If desired, they can be removed for cosmetic reasons or if they are at risk of being irritated or injured. Removal options include laser therapy, electrocautery or cryosurgery.”
