Red Spots on the Skin: 13 Possible Causes, What They Mean & When to Worry

  • On lighter skin, spots may look bright red or pink
  • On darker skin, they may appear purple, brown, or darkened rather than red

Below are 13 common causes of red spots, how to recognize them, and when to seek help.

For illustrative purposes only

1. Heat Rash (Miliaria)

Heat rash occurs when sweat ducts become blocked, trapping perspiration under the skin. This leads to small red, itchy, or prickly bumps, often in areas like the armpits, chest, back, groin, or skin folds.

Risk factors

  • Hot or humid climates
  • Excessive sweating
  • Prolonged bed rest

Treatment

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