Common causes of red spots on the skin without itching
Most of the red spots on the skin are itchy. However, some do not itch. Enlisted here are 20 common skin disorders that cause red spots without itching. The ones that are more common in adults include:
Sunburn: Sunburn is red, sometimes swollen, and a painful skin rash that is caused by overexposure to the sun. It affects one-third of Americans every year.
Acne vulgaris: It is a common medical term for blackheads, whiteheads, and other types of pimples on the skin. More than 80% of people in the United States experience acne at some point in their life.
Boil (Furuncle): A boil is a bacterial infection of hair follicles that looks like a red, raised bump on the skin. It may be painful but not itchy. The affected hair follicle can be of any part of the body.
Infectious mononucleosis: Commonly known as the “kissing disease,” this viral infection is very common among school and college-going adolescents. In this disease, there are symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, joint pain, and sore throat along with red rash.
Lyme disease: It is an infectious disease transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. A rash is one of the first symptoms in about 80% of people with this disease. Other symptoms include fever, headache, and fatigue.
Molluscum contagiosum: These are fleshy bumps caused on the skin by a virus.
Erythema nodosum: Erythema nodosum is a skin condition characterized by the sudden eruption of red bumps, particularly on the shins, that pain on touch.
Rosacea: This chronic skin condition is characterized by redness, most commonly on your cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. Itching may or may not be associated with this disease.
Pityriasis rosea: Pityriasis rosea causes a rash that looks like the branches of a pine tree. It clears on its own. There may be mild itching or not at all.
The ones that are more common in children include:
Roseola infantum: Roseola infantum is a viral infection of infants or very young children that causes a high fever followed by a rash.
Erythema infectiosum or Fifth Disease: It is a viral infection that occurs most commonly in infants and young school-going children. The rash is erythema infectiosum that appears as “slapped cheek” on the face spreads downward to the neck, arms, trunks, and limbs.
Scarlet fever: Commonly found in children aged between 5 and 15 years, scarlet fever features a bright red rash along with high fever and sore throat.
Less common causes include:
Vasculitis (generalized inflammation of vessels of the skin and other vital organs of the body):
Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP): It is the vasculitis of the skin, digestive system, kidneys, and joints. The leaking of blood through small blood vessels into the skin is known as purpura, which can be red or purple. The purpura is found over the legs.
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN): It is a type of vasculitis affecting the skin, kidneys, and heart characterized by fever, fatigue, muscle, and joint pains. The skin may show rashes, swelling, ulcers, and lumps under the skin.
Erythema multiforme: Erythema multiforme is a rash that affects the skin and inner lining of the mouth triggered by drug exposure or infection. It is characterized by a typical rash resembling a bull’s eye.
Other viral infections: These are adenovirus, measles, and rubella.
Erythema marginatum: It is seen as a pink, ring-like rash on the trunk and inner surfaces of the limbs. It is a skin manifestation of rheumatic fever.
Rocky mountain spotted fever: It is a rash caused by a bacterial infection that spreads by ticks. The rash appears first on the wrist and ankle preceded by fever and headache.
Granuloma annulare: It is characterized by red, small, raised, circular bumps arranged in a ring or circle distributed over the back of forearms or feet.
Blisters (pemphigus vulgaris): It is a disease in which fluid-filled blisters are surrounded by rash, which is more prominently seen when the blister bursts. These blisters are distributed over the inner lining of the mouth and skin.
It is advisable to visit a board-certified dermatologist to ascertain the exact cause of the red spots, get treated, and avoid worsening of the skin condition.