Red Spots

Red Blotches on Skin, Face, Legs, Arms, Patches, under Skin, Causes, Treatment

May 10, 2018

The skin is the important part of the body. It covers the internal organs of the body and protects them from harm and infections. That is the reason why any little breakage to your skin may bring problems to your internal tissues and organs. Also, the skin may help in the controlling of body temperature and sensitivity to any external intrusion such as pain and sensation.

However, there are cases where your skin may develop problems without necessarily having breakage or open wounds. Some of these cases include the appearance of red blotches under the skin or on the skin. This is a common condition among human beings and it is commonly experienced with people who are easily exposed to skin irritants such as sunburn. The skin responds to infections or irritations by changing the color and texture in various areas of the body where there was a problem.

What are the Red Blotches under the Skin

red blotches on face

Red blotches under the skin usually occur where there was a recent injury, such as a small cut or scrape, which resulted into a bacterial infection in the inner tissues which is normally seen as redness on the skin. This is commonly referred to as cellulitis and is caused by a bacterial infection to the inner skin tissues resulting in redness and swelling. According to the research carried out by the University of Maryland Medical Center, this condition can occur at any part of the body although it is very common on the legs.

Since it is as a result of bacterial infection, cellulitis is usually treated by the use of antibiotics to reduces the red spots on skin and stop it from spreading to the other areas of the skin.

Symptoms associated with red blotches on skin

Red spots on skin may be associated with many other symptoms greatly depending on what may have caused their appearance. Apart from red blotchy skin, you may expect to see more other symptoms ranging from mild to severe in some cases. Some of these other symptoms include:

Blistering
Bumps
Burning sensation
Flushing
Pain and itchiness
Rashes around the area
Hines
Warmth of the skin around the affected area

Red blotches on the skin are common medical complains and they are sometimes referred to as rashes or patches depending on their sizes, shape and swelling. If your symptoms are getting worse, you should not wait to visit your medical provider’s office.

Red Blotches on Skin Causes

There are many causes of red spots or blotches on the skin some of which are very severe while others are not a cause for concern. They can occur due to infections that cover the whole body, allergic reactions, or in some cases irritation of the skin. When the blotches are flat, they are usually referred to as macules medically. If they are raised, they are medically known as papules. Additionally, erythema is a medical term used to refer to redness of the skin.

Red blotches can appear at any part of the skin including face, arms, shoulders, chest and back, and even on the legs. Causes of the blotches may vary from one area to another. The following are some of the common causes of red spots on skin:

Allergic reaction

Red blotches under the skin on any part of your body especially the legs may be caused by an allergic reaction. Allergic reaction occurs when you take a meal that that causes your body to release histamines in the blood stream that causes appearance of red patches on your skin. Also, there are some plants that are known to cause irritation to the skin which is normally seen as red rash or patches. Some of these plants may include pollen, poison ivy and many others. Additionally, you can develop allergic reaction to a certain medication, and detergents that may not go well with your body.

The blotches formed due to allergic reaction are usually raised and very itchy. If you think you have developed blotches due to allergic reaction, you may talk to your doctor who may conduct a patch test to find out what could have resulted to the reaction.

Erythema multiforme

This is a condition that also causes formation of patches of red skin that usually painful and sometimes itchy. The condition usually occurs as a result of herpes simplex virus infection and it may be associated with cold sores or a fever. In some cases, it may be caused by a reaction to medication or a recent immunization. The red spots on skin caused by this condition may last for a period of two to four weeks before healing without medical intervention, although the condition may be ongoing and the redness of the skin may recur.

Trauma or injuries

You can also develop red blotches under your skin from external injuries or traumas. If you easily bruise you may not even remember what caused your red patches under the skin. These patches are as a result of blood vessels that are found closer to the skin most probably capillaries break due to the injury and therefore leak blood to the under skin, which is normally seen as red patches.

Bruising caused by injury usually heal within a period of 2 to 4 weeks , and they usually turn colors on the skin normally from purplish black, reddish blue, or even yellowish green depending on your skin tone. In some cases, the area where the injury occurred may spread the redness down the body in the direction of the gravity. It has been discussed that a bruise on the leg may take longer to heal than the one on the face or arms.

Infections

Since your skin protects the inner parts of the body, it is subjected to numerous harms and infections. Many infections can affect your skin ranging from those caused by bacteria, to virus and even fungal infection. Some of the common infections that may cause red spots on skin include the following:

Acne infection – this is a condition that is very common in young adults and women. It is caused by the over-production of oil in the sebaceous glands which leads to the blockage of pores and therefore resulting into red bumps on the skin, mostly on the face, shoulders, upper arms and back. Some sources say that acne is a localized skin inflammation caused by overactive of oil gland sat the base of hair follicles.
Boils – this is a skin abscess that causes the collection of pus in a localized area of the skin mostly in the deeper tissues of the skin. It usually results from bacterial infection in the sebaceous gland. There are numerous types of skin boils and they vary depending on the area they are formed. For example, a boil that form on the eyelid is usually referred to as a sty.
Chicken pox – this can also result in red spots on skin. It is a contagious viral infection caused by a virus commonly referred to as varicella-zoster virus. It can spread from one person to another and therefore the patient is advised to stay away from other persons until the condition is healed.
Hand, foot and mouth disease – this is a condition that is usually associated with a rash on the hands, and feet, and in the mouth. It is bit different from foot and mouth disease that affects domestic animals. It caused by several types of viruses most common of them being coxsackievirus A16.

If you realize to you have developed red spots on skin from an infection, you may visit your doctor who may conduct and examination and diagnosis thereafter to find out which type of an organism is involved. There are different medications over the counter that can be used to treat skin infections.

Over-exfoliation

This is a process whereby you remove the dead skin cells that causes piling on your body to come up with a new fine skin. It has been explained that at least every human being may shade up to 50 million skin cells in a day, and it may take only a little effort to remove them. Therefore, over-removing them is also very easy and can be done unknowingly. Therefore, too much exfoliating can in turn rub off the skin that was not supposed to be removed leaving the area inflamed and reddened.

You can exfoliate rightfully by avoiding scrubs that contains rough exfoliators and harsh peels. Instead, you may use gentler products that contain sugar as the exfoliating particles.

Exercising

Carrying out an exercise is very important as it help to burn the excess fats in the body, and keep you fit. In fact, many health organizations are strongly advocating for exercise. However, did you know that it can be a trigger for red spots on skin in some people. This is very common in people who have sensitive skin. this is because, when your heart rate and temperature rise during exercise , more blood is pumped to all vital organs including the skin, thereby being seen as splotches that are red.

You may reduce such splotches that caused by exercise by cooling down your body maybe with a cold shower, or use of ice cube in the back of your mouth where the body’s temperature sensors are located. Also, spraying on spring water with anti-inflammatory minerals after exercise may help to even out your skin tone too fast as well.

Sunburn

Sunburn is known to be one of the major reasons why people may develop red blotches on the skin. It has been explained that people who go to the sun without sun screens for the longer periods of their day time are commonly seen with red blotches. This is because harsh ultra violet rays causes damage to the skin which is seen as red burns on areas that were exposed.

You can avoid sunburns by wearing sunscreens before going out to the sun or making sure that you are not exposed to the sun for a long period of time.

Why do I have Red Blotches on Face

Red blotches on the face can be very uncomfortable depending on what caused them to appear. Most of these splotches on the face are caused by allergic reaction or in some cases skin conditions. You may talk to your doctor in case these patches are causing you a lot of discomfort, and he/she may prescribe an appropriate treatment that may help to clear up the red skin and itchiness that is associated with it.

There are some other cases where you may notice red blotches and itchiness if you have contact dermatitis in your face. This is another skin condition that is usually as a result of allergies. Contact dermatitis causes skin inflammation after your skin is in direct contact with an allergen or irritating substance such as detergent, metal, skin-care product, soap, acid or chemical. Also, you may develop allergy by getting exposed to harmful plants that may result in allergic irritation such as pollen, or poisonous ivy.
Moreover, rosacea is another skin condition that can cause red blotches on skin on your face. It is a disease that causes large patches on the cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. Also, it can appear as spider veins and small bumps that look like pimples. If not treated, the disease may result in eye complications and enlargement of the nose and puffy cheeks.

Red Blotches on Leg Causes

Conditions that cause red blotches on the other parts of the body can as well cause the same condition on your legs. There is no much difference on the causes of this condition on the skin. However, since your legs are more exposed than the rest of the body especially for those who wear shorts, they may experience more problems. Furthermore, it has been suggested that variety of conditions can lead to red splotches on legs. Therefore, you may talk to your medical provider whenever you experience symptoms that are associated with red spots on skin as we have discussed above.

Causes of red blotches on legs

They include the following:

Eczema

It usually causes swollen, red and itchy patches on the legs. It can result from exposure to irritants or other illnesses in the body. Some of the common irritants that cause this condition include nickel, and poisonous ivy. Also, people with poor immune conditions can be seen with it.

Psoriasis

It can also cause red blotches on legs. It is usually associated with itchy red patches that are sometimes painful. It is a chronic disease and therefore can flare up and appear sometimes later in life. Also, it may be associated with cracked, dry skin, stiff, swollen joints, itchiness and burning. Psoriasis is said to be an immune system condition.

Other conditions that can cause red blotches on legs include:

Vasculitis
Cytotoxic drugs

What are the Red Blotches on Arms

Just as the rest of the skin, the hands are not left out when it comes to skin conditions. Red blotches form on your arms due to heat, parasites, fungal infection, and viral infection. However, there are some home remedies that may help when it comes to treatments of such conditions. Some of the common conditions that are associated with red patches on your hands include; atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea, eczema and shingles. Talk to your medical provider if the red patches are causing you a lot of pain and discomfort.

Treatment of Red Blotches on Skin

Usually, when it comes to treatment of skin conditions, you must first know what is causing the appearance of the condition before carrying out the treatment. However, there are some home remedies that are known to generally tackle most of the skin conditions including red blotches. Some other conditions that cause red blotches on the skin may clear without your concern and others may call for your attention. Note that, before carrying out any treatment be it the use of home remedies or medication, you should establish the underlying causes of the appearance of the red patches on the skin.