If you’re anything like me, you’re probably in the habit of checking your skin for anything unusual—lumps, bumps, bruises, or marks that weren’t there before.
Maybe it’s being cautious, or maybe it’s just paying attention to our health—but staying aware of your body is never a bad thing. So when I noticed a small cluster of red dots on my shoulder one morning, I did what many of us do: I turned to the internet.
What I discovered is that red dots on the skin are actually quite common—and they can appear for a number of reasons. Some are harmless, while others could be a signal to consult a healthcare provider. If you’ve found something similar, here are a few possible explanations that may help you make sense of it:
1. Petechiae and Purpura
These tiny red or purple dots often appear when small blood vessels under the skin break. Causes can include physical stress, intense coughing, or side effects from certain medications. While usually harmless, they can sometimes point to an underlying condition affecting blood clotting or platelet levels.
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