Red spots on the skin that appear suddenly, spread quickly, or happen with fever should be checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
Spots that become blisters, bleed, or keep getting bigger may be linked to serious conditions like infections or skin cancer.
Red spots on the legs with swelling, pain, or darkening skin can be a sign of poor circulation or a serious infection.

Red spots on the skin are common and can be caused by allergies, fungal or viral infections, and conditions like eczema or psoriasis. In some cases, they may also be linked to more serious conditions such as lupus or skin cancer.

Red spots on the skin can occur with other symptoms, such as itching, fever, flaking, or blisters, depending on the underlying cause. If these spots appear suddenly or spread rapidly, it’s important to seek medical evaluation promptly.

The diagnosis is determined by the skin’s appearance and accompanying symptoms. Treatment options vary depending on the specific condition and may include topical creams, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, or other targeted therapies.

Symptom quiz

Enter your symptoms below to find out what might be causing the red spots on your skin:

This quiz is meant only as a guide and does not replace an evaluation or diagnosis by a healthcare professional.

What causes red spots on the skin?

The main causes for red spots on the skin are:

1. Allergies

What it looks like: Medium-sized, very itchy patches that may be filled with fluid. They usually appear after contact with plants or animal fur, or after taking certain medications. Allergy rashes can also result from insect bites or food poisoning.

Treatment: Symptoms can be relieved with specific allergy medications, such as loratadine, corticosteroids (for example, prednisone), or topical creams (for example, promethazine). These medications should always be used exactly as prescribed.

2. Fungal infections

What it looks like: Patches can be large and usually affect a specific area of the body. Blisters may also appear, and the skin in the affected area may look scaly.

Treatment: A healthcare provider may recommend an antifungal medication and, in some cases, may also prescribe antibiotics. You can read more about home remedies for a yeast infection, which may help support the treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider.

3. Heat rash

What it looks like: Small red patches with tiny red spots that cause a burning sensation. They usually appear on the face, neck, back, chest, and thighs.

Treatment: There is no specific treatment for heat rash, but you should keep the affected area cool and apply cold compresses.

4. Chicken pox

What it looks like: Small, very itchy blisters and red spots that appear all over the body.

Treatment: Plenty of rest, analgesic medication (such as acetaminophen) to relieve discomfort, and applying betadine to the blisters to help prevent infection are recommended. Any medication should be used exactly as prescribed, especially in children.

5. Measles

What it looks like: Small, non-itchy, painless spots that can spread across the entire body. Read more about measles symptoms and complete our online symptom checker.

According to the CDC, people with suspected or confirmed measles should stay away from others and contact a healthcare provider before going in for evaluation, to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Treatment: Measles treatment consists of plenty of rest, good hydration, and acetaminophen as prescribed by your doctor.

6. Zika virus

What it looks like: Small, slightly raised red bumps that cause itching. They usually appear within 3 days of a mosquito bite. The Zika rash often starts on the face, then spreads to the rest of the body within a few hours, and typically lasts about five days.

Treatment: Rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take medications for symptom relief as prescribed by a healthcare provider (for example, acetaminophen).

7. Eczema

What it looks like: This rash is usually very itchy and can become swollen. It is very common in children and in health professionals who wash their hands frequently with antibacterial soap.

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Treatment: Medications such as loratadine, as well as ointments and corticosteroid creams prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Read more about the eczema creams a doctor might prescribe.

8. Scabies

What it looks like: An intensely itchy rash that usually appears on the hands and in the armpits, with itching that tends to get worse at night. Learn more about how scabies is transmitted and the other symptoms it can cause.

Treatment: Creams and ointments prescribed by a healthcare provider, which may vary depending on how severe the symptoms are. Common medications used to treat scabies include ivermectin, crotamiton, and permethrin.

9. Rubella (German measles)

What it looks like: Small, slightly raised, itchy bumps that usually start on the face and behind the ears, then quickly spread across the body and last for about three days. Learn more about rubella symptoms and how they may appear.

Treatment: Follow the treatment exactly as prescribed by your doctor, who will monitor your progress until the illness has resolved.

10. Atopic dermatitis

What it looks like: Very itchy rashes that may also appear scaly.

Treatment: Prescription corticosteroid creams and ointments, used only as recommended by a healthcare provider. A dermatitis diet may also be beneficial to some patients.

11. Psoriasis

What it looks like: Itchy patches that may have a white center with dry, red, flaky edges. They are more common in people under 30 or over 50 and are not contagious, but are related to genetic factors. Learn more about what causes psoriasis and what other symptoms can appear.

Treatment: Creams and other topical anti-inflammatory medications as prescribed by a dermatologist. Increasing safe sun exposure may also help improve skin lesions.

Diet also plays an important role in treating psoriasis, so you should avoid fatty and processed foods and increase your intake of foods rich in omega-3 and beta-carotene.

12. Lupus

What it looks like: Red patches on the skin that may be flat or slightly raised and can appear anywhere on the body. They are more common in women.

Treatment: Corticosteroids and immunosuppressants as prescribed by a healthcare provider. Learn more about how lupus symptoms are managed.

13. Rosacea

What it looks like: Patches of small visible blood vessels that usually appear on the cheeks, forehead, and nose. In addition to the rash, the skin tends to be more sensitive, warm, and swollen.

Treatment: Using gentle, fragrance-free soaps and moisturizers can help reduce redness. In some cases, a dermatologist may also prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medicines to better control rosacea symptoms.

14. Skin cancer

What it looks like: Small spots or sores on the skin that have an irregular shape and gradually get larger over time and/or start to bleed.

Treatment: Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, depending on the characteristics of the skin lesions.

15. Poor circulation

What it looks like: Red spots on the legs, especially around the ankles, which may also look yellowish or brown. They are usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as itchy skin, spider veins or varicose veins, swollen feet or ankles, and tingling or pain. In more severe cases, open sores can develop on the skin.

Red spots from poor circulation in the legs can appear after standing, sitting, or lying down for long periods, or due to conditions such as varicose veins, venous insufficiency, or deep vein thrombosis. These spots are related to blood pooling in the legs because it is not returning efficiently to the heart.

Treatment: Treatment should be monitored by a doctor, who may recommend compression stockings to help improve blood flow. Ointments can be applied to areas of inflammation, and oral antibiotics may be prescribed if there are infected wounds.

Patients are also advised to avoid standing or sitting for long periods and to elevate their legs when possible to reduce blood pooling. Check out how to improve circulation using natural remedies.

16. Erysipelas

What it looks like: Red, swollen patches with raised, irregular edges. Fever, chills, and malaise usually start about 48 hours before the skin changes and may be followed by a burning sensation, itching, pain, or increased sensitivity in the affected area. In more serious cases, blisters can form and the skin may become darker.

Erysipelas is an infection of the superficial layer of the skin caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes (strep A). This bacterium can enter through breaks in the skin, such as wounds or insect bites, and the infection can also develop in areas with chronic venous ulcers or from problems like poor nail care, chilblains, or athlete’s foot.

Erysipelas usually affects the legs or feet and is more common in people with obesity, poorly controlled diabetes, eczema, or leg ulcers.

Treatment: Erysipelas is treated with antibiotics prescribed by a dermatologist.

17. Lichen planus

What it looks like: Patches of small red or purplish plaques on the skin that usually itch and have a shiny surface with fine white streaks. They most often appear on the wrists, ankles, or lower back.

Lichen planus is an inflammatory skin condition with no clearly known cause. However, certain factors can increase the risk of developing the patches, such as hepatitis C, stress, and the use of medications like antimalarials, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and thiazide diuretics.

Treatment: You can use antihistamines or corticosteroids, in ointment or tablet form, as directed by your dermatologist.

18. Cutaneous scleroderma

What it looks like: One or more red patches that gradually become firm, with a white center and a reddish border. Over time, these areas may become darker in color.

Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body to produce too much collagen, leading to visible changes in the skin and, in some cases, involvement of internal organs such as the lungs and heart, as well as the joints, muscles, and blood vessels.

Treatment: Cutaneous scleroderma can be treated with corticosteroids, prescribed by a dermatologist, which may be used as ointments applied to the skin or as tablets taken by mouth.

19. Dengue

What it looks like: Dengue is an infection caused by the Flavivirus, which has four serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. It is transmitted through the bite of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and causes symptoms such as fever and red spots on the skin, usually on the legs or chest.

Other dengue symptoms include headaches, muscle aches, pain behind the eyes, and general malaise.

How to treat: Dengue treatment should be followed exactly as advised by an infectious disease specialist or other healthcare provider.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no specific treatment for dengue, and symptom relief usually includes rest, fluids, and acetaminophen, while aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided because they can increase the risk of bleeding.

In more serious cases, or in dengue hemorrhagic fever, treatment usually requires hospitalization to receive IV fluids, medications, and blood transfusions if needed.

Red Spots on Skin: 19 Common Causes & Treatments