Itching and red spots: how to distinguish urticaria from psoriasis?

Redness on the skin is a very unpleasant phenomenon for both adults and children. As a rule, they cause itching and flaking, which are sometimes accompanied by painful sensations. In addition, in each case, red spots look aesthetically unpleasant and repulsive. It is not surprising that every person strives to get rid of them as quickly as possible. And to do this, first of all, you need to understand the reasons for their occurrence, which can be very different. Moreover, sometimes redness on the skin indicates a very serious disease, including internal organs.

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What are the most common causes of red spots on the skin?

Allergic reaction

The content of the article

Taking certain medications, as well as consuming a number of vitamins and foods, interacting with pets, getting bacteria or dust mites on the skin, inhaling pollen from flowering plants, etc., can trigger an allergic reaction. Most often, it manifests itself in the appearance of red spots scattered over the body and causing severe itching, which in particularly difficult cases can lead to Quincke's edema and even death.

In such a case, you will need to consult a dermatologist, who will identify the cause of the allergy and prescribe appropriate treatment. Eliminating provoking factors, using histamine blockers and local ointments will allow you to quickly forget about the problem and avoid complications.

Dry eczema

Sometimes white, dry, flaky patches on the skin of the legs can indicate dry eczema. With this disease, dryness and tightness of the skin first occurs, then peeling and unbearable itching occur, and cracks may occur. In addition to the legs, the hands, the space between the fingers, and even the face are often affected.

The causes of dry eczema can be bacterial and fungal infections, allergens, synthetic clothing, poor hygiene and other factors.

As you can see, the appearance of dry patches on the skin can be due to a variety of reasons.
The characteristics of the immune system and the tendency to allergic reactions play an important role. But in any case, when dry spots appear, it is important to consult a dermatologist and determine the cause of this skin condition. July 5, 2020
Author of the article: dermatologist Mak Vladimir Fedorovich

Presence of an infectious or venereal disease

The “culprit” of red spots is often the viruses of scarlet fever, rubella, measles, chickenpox and other infectious diseases. This also includes the disease syphilis, which manifests itself as red rashes on the skin.

The danger of such diseases is that a person not only experiences discomfort (the appearance of a red rash all over the body in these cases is usually accompanied by fever, chills and other unpleasant symptoms), but also turns into a carrier of the virus. Therefore, at the first signs of an infectious or sexually transmitted disease, accompanied by redness on the skin, you need to consult a doctor and begin comprehensive treatment, including taking antibiotics, antihistamines, vitamins, topical ointments - this is the only way to protect others and quickly cope with the disease.

Rashes on the hands: the most common diseases

In order to choose the right treatment, it is important to distinguish one type of allergic dermatosis from another. Therefore, let’s look at the symptoms of skin diseases in more detail:

1. With atopic dermatitis (neurodermatitis), a rash often appears on the skin of the fingers and hands. The acute period of the disease is characterized by severe itching, redness and swelling of the skin. Itchy spots can come in different shapes and sizes. Without proper treatment, crusts may form at the site of the rash. In the chronic form, symptoms such as dry skin and flaking are observed.[3]
2. Urticaria is divided into several types: immunological, physical, drug and idiopathic. The development of the first two is based on the body’s reaction to external stimuli, including food and household allergens, as well as high or low temperatures, sunlight and other factors. Taking certain medications can trigger drug-induced urticaria. Idiopathic is a rash whose cause cannot be determined.[4] All types of hives present more or less the same way: redness, swelling of the skin and the appearance of itchy blisters.
3. Contact dermatitis often affects the skin on the fingers, especially when coming into contact with harmful substances such as rubber and metal products, household chemicals, cosmetics and perfumes, topical medications, certain plants and insects.[5] The disease can occur in both acute and chronic forms. The acute course is characterized by redness of the skin and the appearance of itchy blisters. The chronic form is accompanied by dryness and flaking of the skin, increased skin pattern.
4. Eczema is an acute and chronic inflammatory disease that affects both the upper and lower extremities. It may also affect various parts of the body. As a rule, eczema rashes are symmetrical, accompanied by redness and limited swelling of the skin. Small blisters filled with clear liquid often appear on affected surfaces.[6]

Dermatological problems

The most common dermatological disease, characterized by the appearance of red spots - they are located locally or throughout the body - lichen. Experts distinguish several types of lichen, each of which has its own characteristics.

Red flat and ringing, scaly (psoriasis) and shingles, pityriasis and weeping (eczema) - all of them require the mandatory intervention of a specialist who can make a correct diagnosis and timely prescribe therapeutic measures. In addition, some types of lichen are transmitted by contact, which requires isolation of the patient from others, compliance with a special lifestyle, and exclusion of provoking factors.

Pathologies of the cardiovascular system and the consequences of frequent or constant stress and nervous tension.

The human body is a complex system in which everything is interconnected. Therefore, you shouldn’t be surprised if one of the consequences of nervous overstrain is redness of the skin (it’s not for nothing that people came up with the expression: “stains from nerves”). The reason for this phenomenon most often lies in vegetative-vascular dystonia, leading to impaired blood flow.

Redness of the skin will most likely not cause any pain and will go away on its own in a couple of days. However, you need to remember that quite serious diseases of internal organs can also lead to the appearance of spots: the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, etc. Therefore, any change in the skin should be a reason to contact a skin specialist.

Red spots

This type is the most common. They have the following features:

• The appearance of spots accompanied by itchy skin may be the result of a dermatological or fungal disease.
• Red spots, which are combined with the development of skin itching and flaking, may be the result of dermatitis, lichen or eczema.
• Small spots with a dark red or crimson tint appear against the background of chickenpox, measles and meningitis. Itching during illness can be unbearable.
• Red spots on healthy skin are the result of allergic reactions.
• Stress exposure is characterized by the appearance of diffuse dark red and burgundy spots in the neck or chest area. Their disappearance is observed after calming down.

What will an examination with a dermatologist give?

Since there are a great many causes of skin redness, it is not recommended to “remove” and treat them on your own. And here it doesn’t matter whether we are talking about small rashes scattered throughout or locally located large spots. Flaky and itchy or not causing much concern.

Only an experienced dermatologist will be able to determine the disease, sometimes by the nature and location of the redness. But even in this case, he will definitely prescribe a comprehensive examination, including analysis of scrapings from the affected areas of the skin, which will allow timely clarification of symptoms, the correct selection of treatment therapy, and possibly diagnosis of a very serious disease, which at first glance has nothing to do with the condition of the skin. covers.

Skin spots

General information

The appearance of spots on the skin can be a manifestation of a disease, a sign of infection, an allergic reaction, or other problems in the body.
Spots are areas of skin that differ from the surrounding skin in color and consistency. As a rule, they are smooth to the touch, but in some cases there may be roughness, a slight protrusion above the surface.

Depending on the reasons for their appearance and visual characteristics, spots can be divided into three main groups:

· pigmented - white or brown - arise from a lack or excess of melanin;

· vascular – usually red, pink or purple in color, caused by pathology of blood vessels;

· artificial origin - as a result of introducing a dye into the skin (permanent makeup, tattoo).

Causes

1. Vascular spots

· Hyperemic (redness), which can be of inflammatory or non-inflammatory origin. In the first case, the spots are a consequence of inflammatory processes, as a result of which the blood vessels dilate. They can be of different sizes - less than 2 cm in diameter (roseola) and more than 2 cm (erythema). The cause of non-inflammatory hyperemic defects is vasodilation due to various emotional reactions (stains of anger or shame). Usually located on the face, chest and neck.

· Hemorrhagic - occur as a result of hemorrhage in the tissues of the dermis under mechanical external influence or as a symptom of a number of diseases affecting blood vessels. If we are talking about the consequences of a bruise or injury, then over time they change color from red to yellowish-green and go away on their own in one to two weeks.

· Telangiectatic spots (telangiectasia, spider veins) occur as a result of short-term or persistent dilation of blood vessels. May be acquired or congenital.

2. Age spots

These are dark or, conversely, bright white areas of the skin, resulting from changes in the amount of melanin pigment. Age spots are:

· Hyperpigmented – appear with a significant increase in pigmentation in certain areas of the skin. They can be congenital (lentigines, birthmarks) and acquired (melasma/chloasma, freckles).

Hypopigmented - occurs due to a decrease in the amount of melanin. They can be acquired or congenital. Acquired ones are usually associated with skin diseases (psoriasis, lichen, eczema, leucoderma/vitiligo, etc.).

3. Ringworm spots

Ringworm is a common skin disease of a bacterial or viral nature. Accompanied by characteristic skin changes, sometimes by itching and painful sensations. Often manifests itself against the background of a general decrease in immunity.

· Zhiber's pityriasis rosea - red or pink, clearly defined areas of skin that peel, sometimes cause itching, are caused by the herpes virus types 6 and 7.

· Lichen planus - purple spots that can appear not only on the skin, but also on the mucous membranes.

· Shingles – red, inflamed spots covered with blisters appear.

· Pityriasis versicolor (varicolored) - characterized by pale, sometimes slightly flaky spots.

· Ringworm – severely itchy, scaly patches accompanied by hair loss in the affected areas.

Scleroderma

You can tell that a person has scleroderma by the characteristic order in which the spots are found. This disease mainly affects the arms and legs of a person. What is scleroderma? Scleroderma is an inflammation of connective tissues in the body, which appears due to disorders in the human immune system. These disorders are in most cases congenital. They can appear mainly at a suitable period for them, for example, after suffering from viral diseases. As a result of strong pressure on the vessels, small vessels cannot withstand and fail. They become brittle, weak and lose their protection. Under fatal stress, they rupture and as a result, red spots form. In no case should you treat scleroderma on your own, but you should immediately visit a dermatologist.

Types of pigment spots and methods for their removal

Pigment spots can be small, large, single or multiple. They can have different shapes, usually close to oval, and different colors from light red to dark brown. The most common age spots are freckles, birthmarks and age-related pigmentation.

Freckles. This type of pigmentation is characteristic of fair-skinned people. Freckles usually appear on exposed areas of the body - the face, arms, ears, upper back and chest. Their color changes depending on the intensity of the sun. It is believed that freckles are caused by an uneven distribution of pigment in the skin, so over time, when the body gets stronger and adapts, they fade or disappear completely. For many girls, especially red-haired ones, freckles suit them - they add individuality, but this is not always the case. Too contrasting and extensive pigmentation is a reason for complexes, so they are “taken out”.

There are different ways to remove freckles. Traditional medicine, for example, recommends using parsley juice to whiten the skin. Of course, this method will not work immediately - it will take several months. Cosmetology offers much more effective methods. You can quickly remove freckles using chemical peeling with a base of fruit or lactic acids or laser skin resurfacing.

Birthmarks. Moles (nevi) can form on any part of the body. They have an even shape and a rather dark color. Unlike freckles, the melanin that forms the pigment spot is located in several layers of the skin, so removing a mole is more difficult than freckles. Moles have one peculiarity - they can degenerate into cancer, so large and suspicious formations are recommended to be removed. Birthmarks located in places of contact with the seams of clothing, belts and in areas subject to shaving are also removed. An injured mole is a gateway to infection: it can become inflamed, bleed and become wet.

A direct indication for contacting the clinic is a change in the shape, volume and color of the birthmark. Black and asymmetrical moles, bleeding or flaky spots with cracks are especially dangerous.

Moles without signs of cancer are removed with liquid nitrogen, diathermocoagulation or laser. Laser removal of birthmarks is most preferable, since it does not injure surrounding tissues and does not leave scars. And removing moles with a laser does not hurt at all, which is why many patients choose this particular technique.

Age spots. Unfortunately, these signs of impending old age cannot be prevented. Lentigo, as this type of pigmentation is called, appears in people after 40 years of age. Such age spots are especially noticeable during menopause, when pigmentation is spurred by hormonal changes. Lentigines, like freckles, are localized in places where the skin has been exposed to constant sunlight - on the face, arms, chest and back. Women, noticing such pigmentation, are upset, because they cannot hide the brown spots and they clearly show their age.

Age-related pigmentation can only be removed using cosmetic methods - traditional medicine will not help here. You can try medium or deep chemical peeling or low-impact laser removal. The advantage of the latter method is undeniable - after the procedure, only slight redness remains at the site of the spots, which quickly passes. With deep chemical peeling, the cosmetologist completely removes the top layer of skin, so recovery will take at least a month.

Large pigment spots. Melasma is a significant cosmetic problem. Unlike moles, such age spots have an uneven shape and look very unattractive. Their color intensifies in the sun - in spring and summer, and in winter the pigmentation decreases. Large pigment spots are a sign of hormonal changes, so they often occur during pregnancy, taking hormones, and the onset of menopause.

Large age spots can go away on their own, but women do not want to wait for this moment, so many resort to the help of a cosmetologist. Light peeling, special whitening masks, laser skin resurfacing, etc. can reduce the color of such spots.

Skin allergies: main causes

There are many reasons for the development of allergic dermatosis: various food allergens, medications, household chemicals, cosmetics, etc.

Skin allergies are caused by:

• Living in regions with unfavorable ecology.
• The presence of occupational hazards (prolonged human contact with aggressive objects: alkalis, acids, smoke, medications, etc.).
• Eating with a large number of allergenic foods.
• High drug load.
• Widespread use of household chemicals containing highly allergenic chemical compounds, dyes and fragrances.
• In young children, skin allergies can be triggered by early cessation of breastfeeding and early introduction of complementary foods.

Risk factors also include a hereditary predisposition to allergic diseases.

In addition, the causes of exacerbation of skin allergies can be diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, stress, etc.