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What do red itchy spots mean: a dermatologist named the reasons
We will tell you what an unpleasant skin phenomenon testifies to.
Health problems sooner or later overtake every person – it will shoot in the side, then the tooth will ache, then the head is not in place. And not every symptom is unambiguous and understandable. There are, and quite often, situations when it is almost impossible to understand the reason for the appearance of a particular ailment on your own. One of these symptoms is red spots on the skin.
If red itchy spots appear on the body, the first thing that comes to mind is that it is an allergy. Hands themselves reach for antihistamines. However, according to doctors, this is the most common mistake. After all, red spots, which also flake and itch, are not always a sign of an allergic reaction. And often anti-allergic drugs are indispensable. Naturally, it is best to consult a doctor when this kind of defect appears. It is he who will be able to determine exactly what the cause of the problem is, and will select the correct treatment.
You shouldn’t rush to call an ambulance right away. Urgent help from specialists may be needed only if you have a sharp rise in temperature, swelling appears and the itching becomes unbearable.
Causes of red itchy patches on the skin
Based on the results of the examination, the doctor will determine the possible cause of your red itchy spots on the skin.
Among them:
scleroderma
psoriasis
vitiligo
allergy
fungus, etc.
Distinguish scleroderma from other types of the disease is possible by the location of the spots. So, if they are localized mostly on the arms and legs, then we can confidently talk about the presence of such a diagnosis. Scleroderma is an inflammation of the connective tissues that is triggered by an inadequate immune system. Usually this inferiority is congenital. Of course, this does not mean at all that you will always have stains. They will appear only during periods favorable for this. For example, if you have had a cold or a viral illness. Due to the heavy load on the vessels during this period, the network of small vessels fails, they become thinner, permeable and practically defenseless. When they burst from the load, red spots appear on the skin. Remember that it is impossible to cure this condition on your own..
Psoriasis can be distinguished by the presence of white patches of skin on red spots. They can spread throughout the body and itch very badly. However, it is impossible to comb them either with your fingers or with special devices: you risk spreading the infection throughout the body even more.
You should be prepared for the fact that psoriasis cannot be treated.
But suffering from it all your life is also not an option. Therefore, doctors suggest using special technologies, procedures and medicines that allow you to keep the disease under control.
Another condition that causes red itchy spots on the body is vitiligo… The disease is quite rare. At the same time, except from spots, a person no longer suffers from anything – no pain, no other deviations, only spots and that’s it. The downside of vitiligo is that it is incurable. However, as with psoriasis, it can be controlled. But only on condition of full compliance with all medical recommendations.
Concerning allergic reactions as a symptom of a disease, the list can be quite extensive. Red itchy spots are characterized by ^
eczema;
hives;
atopic dermatitis, etc.
The main disadvantage of such diseases is that they appear abruptly and unexpectedly. Moreover, it is almost impossible to track the reaction. After all, there is an option that the spots appeared in response to the intake of low-quality or junk food. And perhaps the spots were the result of the ingestion of a third-party pathogen – an allergen – into the body. In any case, if you think you have an allergic reaction, it is worth taking an antihistamine and watching. Reduction of spots in size, as well as reduction of itching, should begin almost instantly. To avoid a repetition of the situation, you should definitely visit a doctor.
Sometimes the allergic nature of the appearance of red spots on the skin can be controlled by other symptoms characteristic of allergies: nasal congestion, sneezing, profuse tearing, etc.
Another reason a person may have red spots on their body is fungal infection… Moreover, it would be a mistake to think that the fungus will manifest itself exclusively on the legs or on the fingers. A number of fungal diseases are actively spreading throughout the body, settling in the groin area, on the chest, etc. These spots are flat light pink areas of the body. They are very similar to birthmarks, only differ in color.
Of the harmless reasons for the appearance of red spots on the body, which, moreover, can also itch severely, can be called
insect bites;
alcohol consumption;
excessive sweating.
In this situation, special treatment is not required, you just need to lead a healthy lifestyle and carefully take care of the body.
Red itchy spots: how to deal
How to deal with red spots on the body
First of all, after the doctor makes a preliminary diagnosis, using the examination data and collecting the patient’s complaints, he must prescribe clarifying tests.
In most cases, an accurate diagnosis is made on the basis of a scraping. The dermatologist will gently scrape the skin on the spot with special tools and give this material to the laboratory. It is worth remembering that the research can take a couple of days, so you have to be patient and learn how to alleviate your suffering.
First, it is worth taking an antihistamine at least to relieve itching.
The dosage will either be prescribed by a doctor, or you can use the one indicated in the instructions. As far as the optimal drug is concerned, it is best to be prescribed by your supervising dermatologist as well.
Further, you will have to deal with the cosmetic manifestations of spots with the help special preparations… These are prescription ointments, talkers, hormone pills, and much more. Again, the treatment should be prescribed by a professional.
During treatment, be sure to follow a number of rules.
In no case, do not comb the stains, although you really want to. You can infect your skin with an infection, which, against the background of existing problems, can make your condition even more severe. Also, scratching the red itchy patches runs the risk of spreading the disease throughout your body.
Use all ointments and creams only as directed by your doctor. After all, what works well for one is useless or dangerous for others. If the effect of the remedy does not occur either on the second or even more so on the third day of use, consult your doctor again to find a replacement.
Include vitamins in your diet. They will help to increase immunity so that the body, for its part, also fights the disease. Naturally, you will have to adjust the menu and abandon all harmful products, giving preference to fresh vegetables and fruits during the treatment.
But remember that not all fruits and vegetables are equally healthy in this case. For example, avoid citrus and red-skinned foods. They are considered to be very strong allergens.
After the doctor accurately determines the cause of your red spots, he will be able to prescribe a full course of treatment or prevention of the problem that caused it. The main thing is not to panic and strictly follow all the doctor’s prescriptions. And then the disease will not bother you often.
Expert Opinion
– There are many reasons for the appearance of red itchy spots on the skin. It can be something relatively harmless: an allergy to certain medications or a new cosmetic product, a reaction to an insect bite, or something more serious. In obese people, red spots often appear in the skin folds due to increased sweating. To eliminate the appearance of irritation, it is recommended to use powders, make sure that the folds are dry and from time to time wipe them with a chlorhexidine solution.
Also, red itchy spots can appear as a result of the presence of a helminthic invasion in a person or be a manifestation of an independent disease – psoriasis, folliculitis, dermophytosis (lichen), seborrheic dermatitis, etc. dermatologist. Do not self-medicate if you are faced with a similar skin reaction and discomfort, so as not to aggravate the situation. Since some of these diseases are progressive, like folliculitis. Others, for example, psoriasis cannot be completely cured, it is a condition that you will have to learn to live with and fight against. Therefore, it is dangerous to run such diseases.
Shatokhina Anna, Vlada Timofeeva