{"id":626840,"date":"2024-02-16T13:08:25","date_gmt":"2024-02-16T18:08:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626840"},"modified":"2025-04-11T12:06:52","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T16:06:52","slug":"red-spots-on-skin-not-itchy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/red-spots-on-skin-not-itchy\/","title":{"rendered":"Non-itchy red spots on skin: Causes & treatment options"},"content":{"rendered":"

You step out of the shower one morning and notice red spots on your back or chest. Or you’re applying sunscreen and new red spots on your face. But these spots don’t itch, so you’re wondering: What caused this rash or outbreak?<\/span><\/p>\n

Itchy or not, red spots are not a medical diagnosis. They can develop for many different reasons. Sometimes, red spots that don’t itch are temporary and go away without explanation or treatment. But red spots on the skin that multiply or don’t go away can be a sign of infection or an underlying medical condition like psoriasis or a blood disorder. Below, we cover possible causes and treatment options for red spots on skin that do not itch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes red spots that aren’t itchy?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are many possible causes of red spots that aren’t itchy. According to <\/span>Christopher Bunick, MD<\/span><\/a>, dermatologist and associate professor at Yale School of Medicine Department of Dermatology, one of the most common types of red spots are vascular lesions called cherry hemangiomas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cherry hemangiomas<\/span><\/h3>\n

Cherry hemangiomas<\/span><\/a>, or angiomas, are bright red skin growths the size of a pinhead. The slightly raised spot is red because it comprises <\/span>blood vessels<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“They generally range from 1 millimeter to 3 millimeters in size and may bleed if traumatized,” Bunick explains. “They come with age and genetics.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Cherry angiomas are not cancerous or contagious, but they do not go away on their own. If you want the spots removed for cosmetic reasons, consult a dermatologist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Acne vulgaris and acne rosacea<\/span><\/h3>\n

Acne vulgaris<\/span><\/a> is a skin condition involving clogging and hair follicle inflammation. It causes pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and cysts. <\/span>Acne rosacea<\/span><\/a>, on the other hand, causes red spots and visible blood vessels without blackheads.<\/span><\/p>\n

“<\/span>Rosacea<\/span><\/a> typically presents as red papules or pustules on the mid-face, whereas traditional acne can present as red papules, pustules, or nodules on the face, neck, chest, and back,” Bunick says. “They generally do not itch but often are painful if inflamed.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Both acne vulgaris and acne rosacea tend to be chronic conditions. But they are not contagious. In some cases, patients can soothe symptoms and prevent outbreaks at home with gentle skin care products and over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as <\/span>Differin<\/span><\/a> 0.1% (<\/span>adapalene<\/span><\/a>) gel. In other instances, a dermatologist might prescribe <\/span>antibiotics<\/span><\/a>, retinoids, or other drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blood blisters<\/span><\/h3>\n

A <\/span>blood blister<\/span><\/a> is a raised spot on the skin filled with blood instead of fluid (like a typical blister). Blood blisters may look red, purple, or black because the blood leaks from the injured blood vessels under the skin. They are typically small and round.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blood blisters may occur when skin is injured through pinching, burning, or friction, says <\/span>Erika Luren, NP and owner of <\/span>Parasol Aesthetics, Dermatology & Wellness<\/span><\/a> in Las Vegas, Nevada<\/span>. They are not contagious.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no need to pop such a blister, as the body will dry it up and heal new skin beneath on its own, typically over one to two weeks,\u201d Luren says.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA doctor should be seen if [a blood blister] lasts more than seven days, if new ones keep appearing, or if it happens without any trauma,\u201d says <\/span>Upinder Singh, MD<\/span><\/a>, chief medical officer of Valley Oaks Medical Group in Nevada. <\/span>You can speed up the healing process by keeping the area clean and covered with a <\/span>sterile bandage<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vascular birthmarks<\/span><\/h3>\n

“Also called capillary malformations, such as ‘stork bite’ on the posterior neck or ‘angel’s kiss’ on the forehead, these are flat pink to red or red-purple patches,” Bunick explains. “They can be anywhere on the body and generally do not itch.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Birthmarks may be present at birth or <\/span>may develop in very early childhood<\/span><\/a>. They are not contagious and do not typically require medical attention. Bunick says some vascular birthmarks can be treated with a pulsed dye laser if the patient wants to get rid of them for cosmetic reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

Psoriasis<\/span><\/h3>\n

Psoriasis<\/span><\/a> is an autoimmune skin condition. While the underlying cause is still unknown, psoriasis develops when the body mistakes its own healthy skin cells for invaders and then attacks them. Although some types of psoriasis, like plaque psoriasis, may be itchy, guttate psoriasis may cause small red spots on the skin that don\u2019t itch. Luren says this less common type of psoriasis often develops after an upper respiratory infection such as a sore throat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGuttate psoriasis has the appearance of round to teardrop-shaped, red scaly bumps or thicker patches that erupt after illness. It is a form of psoriasis that may show up once and never appear again. Or, it could turn into classic, lifelong psoriasis.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike plaque psoriasis, <\/span>guttate psoriasis<\/span><\/a> may go away on its own. But if it doesn’t, a dermatologist can recommend <\/span>treatments<\/span><\/a> to keep flare-ups under control. Treatment options may include <\/span>hydrocortisone cream<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>antibiotics<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>retinoids<\/span><\/a>, or phototherapy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bleeding into the skin<\/span><\/h3>\n

Bleeding into the skin can cause red to red-purple spots, sometimes less than 5 millimeters in size but sometimes larger, depending on the cause, according to Dr. Bunick.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are several types and causes of bleeding into or under the skin, none of which are contagious:<\/span><\/p>\n