If you’re like me, you’ll examine your body frequently for bruises, lumps, or anything unusual. So you can imagine my shock when I noticed red dots on my shoulder one morning. Naturally, I turned to the internet for answers.

It turns out red spots on the skin are common, with various causes. Some are harmless, while others may indicate underlying conditions. Tiny red spots often result from broken capillaries due to coughing, stress, or medication. Though usually harmless, they can signal platelet issues.

Common causes include cherry angiomas (harmless blood vessel overgrowths), heat rash (sweat trapped in ducts), and allergic reactions (food, drugs, or insect bites). Other causes may require medical attention, such as folliculitis (infected hair follicles), cellulitis (bacterial skin infection), impetigo (contagious sores), vasculitis (inflamed blood vessels), and hemangiomas (birthmarks from abnormal blood vessels).

While red spots aren’t always concerning, seek medical help if they spread, worsen, or come with fever, pain, dizziness, or fatigu