Your skin is the largest organ in your body, but It’s open to many attacks from countless different sources. It’s no wonder that your skin is prone to bumps, cuts, bruises, blemishes and rashes. Red dots on the skin can mean almost anything. The most reliable means of figuring out what’s behind those blemishes, though, involves a visit to an experienced blue velvet dermatologist for a definitive diagnosis.

During your first visit, your skin doctor may be able to identify the skin red dots just with a visual inspection. But leaving nothing to chance or speculation, he’ll ask you a round of questions designed to lead to the right conclusion and the best course of treatment. Prepare to answer questions about:

• When you first noticed the dots
• How they feel are they itchy, painful, leaking pus, spreading
• What kinds of medications you’re taking
• Your family history and what kinds of skin disorders seem to run in your family
• Whether you’ve been around someone with an infection
• Where you may have traveled
• What outdoor activities you’ve done lately
• And any other thoughts you may have about where you contracted the discolorations

All symptoms and skin findings should always evaluated with thorough consultation and physical examination for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan in order to exclude any underlying serious condition.

Many Possibilities

Many of the potential causes of red spots on your skin are totally benign and nothing to worry about.

On the other hand, when red dots on the skin are new, change in size or shape, are hot, raised or running and cause you to worry, you can find relief and direction from a skilled blue velvet dermatologist who sees these kinds of issues frequently. Some of the most common causes of red dots on skin, spots or splotches include:

• Acne, which mostly affects teens, but can strike at any time. Acne is caused by excess oil in your skin that gets blocked by dirt and dead skin cells.
• Allergic reactions often appear as red dots on your skin. Poison ivy, soap ingredients, animal dander and other allergens can leave red dots on the skin that sometimes are raised and very often quite itchy.
• Heat rash is another skin reaction to outside environmental conditions that appears as red dots on skin. Heat rash usually isn’t itchy or raised, though. It’s typically caused by humidity and heat and disappears once you cool off

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that leaves small red dots on your skin, usually on your face.