What’s Causing Pinprick Red Dots on Your Skin That Don’t Itch? (2024)

Tiny red dots on the skin can be caused by simple problems likeheat rash,contact dermatitis, or scraping your skin against a rough surface.A cluster of pinprick red dots that are flat against the skin and do not itch can be a condition known aspetechiae.

Petechiae happens when tiny blood vessels under the surface of this skin (capillaries) suddenly break open, causing a group of tiny red, brown, or purple dots to form.

Petechiae is not a condition by itself; it’s a symptom of other health problems such asbacterial meningitis,blood-clotting disorders,sepsis, andleukemia.

Is It Petechiae?

Petechiae are red or purple dots on the skin that happen when blood vessels break under the skin's surface, creating a petechial rash. A petechial rash is caused byinternal bleeding and is often a sign of a serious medical condition.

Petechiae dots are usually less than 2 millimeters in diameter. The spots do not disappear when you put pressure on them (non-blanching).

There are several disorders of the cardiovascular or circulatory systems that can cause a petechial rash, including:

• Meningitis
• Liver disease
• Cancer
• Viral infection
• Blood or clotting disorder

These are serious medical conditions that need treatment as soon as possible. If you or your child have a pinprick rash that is not itchy, call your healthcare provider immediately.

Common Causes of Red Dots on the Skin

Pinprick red dots are not always petechiae. Red spots can be caused by many different health conditions. Some of these conditions affect the skin, while others affect the entire body.

One of the most common reasons you'll see dots on your skin is from an injury or irritation. This may include bumping your arm or leg, getting a heat rash, or having contact dermatitis. Straining for a long time and certain medications can also cause skin capillaries to burst spontaneously.

Some causes of red dots on your skin are more serious. For example, infections of all kinds can cause pinprick red dots on the skin, including:

• Scarlet fever: As its name implies, this illness is caused by a strep infection that leads to a bright red rash on the skin that can look like dots or bumps.
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV): The rash from this viral infection typically looks more purple than red, but it can also cause red dots on the skin.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: This infection comes from ticks. While red dots on the skin are not usually one of the first signs of the illness, they can develop about a week after a person starts having symptoms. Usually, this means the infection is more severe.
• Endocarditis: This infection occurs in the lining of the heart. Some people with the infection develop red dots, which can appear on the skin, in their eyes, or in their mouth.
• COVID-19: Some people have developed red dots on their skin while they had COVID-19, though it's not common.

Certain health problems can also lead to red spots on the skin, especially if these conditions are related to your blood.For example:

• Anemia: Low red blood cells (anemia) or problems with blood clotting can make it more likely you’ll get red dots on your skin.Aplastic anemia can cause petechiae.
• Vitamin deficiencies: Not having enough vitamin K in your body can also make red spots on your skin more likely to pop up, as this vitamin helps your blood clot. Petechiae can also show up if you don't have enough vitamin C in your diet (scurvy).
• Chronic medical conditions: Other chronic medical conditions with red dots on the skin as signs or symptoms include lupus and liver disease. They can also be caused by collagen-related diseases (e.g., Ehlers-Danlos syndromes).
• Allergies: Some allergic reactions can cause rashes that look like red dots on the skin.
• Medications: You may get pinprick red dots on your skin as a side effect of some medications that thin your blood (like warfarin and aspirin).
• Rare diseases: Rare genetic conditions that make people bleed more easily, like Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, can also cause red dots on the skin.

Serious Causes of Red Dots on the Skin

There are also some less common but potentially very serious causes of red dots on the skin.

While they’re less likely to happen, it’s important to be aware of these possible causes because they can be deadly if not diagnosed and treated quickly.

Bacterial Meningitis

Meningitis is the infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meninges).

One symptom ofmeningococcal meningitisis a headache accompanied by a petechial rash, which is called a meningitis rash.

The meningitis rash is petechial. At first, you might notice petechiae on the arms or other areas of the body.These spots can be blanching if you try the straightforward glass test. However, as the rash becomes more pronounced, it will become non-blanching.

The meningitis rash can progress from petechial to a purpuric rash, which looks more like bruising than pinpricks.

The rash is common, but it does not always occur. That said, meningitis is a serious disease that progresses quickly.If you have a petechial rash paired with other meningitis symptoms like headache or stiff neck, seek immediate medical attention.

Sepsis

A petechial rash is a common symptom ofbacterial blood poisoning (sepsis or septicemia) that can turn deadly quickly.

As with meningitis, a sepsis rash can start with a pinprick appearance before progressing to look more bruise-like.

Othersymptoms of sepsis include:

• Fever
• Sweating
• Rapid heart rate and breathing rate
• Lethargy
• Changes to alertness or consciousness

Some people are at a higher risk for sepsis, including:

• People with recent infections of the lungs, skin, intestine, or urinary tract
• People with chronic health conditions such as diabetes
• Infants under 12 months of age
• Adults over the age of 65

Sepsis can lead to septic shock, which can be deadly. If you have petechiae or any other symptoms of sepsis, don't wait to get medical attention.

Summary

Skin rashes that cause red dots on the skin are often harmless and more irritating than dangerous. However, a rash that looks like pinprick red dots on your skin and does not itch can be a sign of a serious, even deadly, health problem.

If you or your child have this type of rash, get medical care immediately. A healthcare provider can determine if a potentially dangerous infection is causing the rash and start the proper treatment.