What causes itchy skin with red spots?
Skin itching accompanied by red spots may be caused by various factors, including heat and sweat irritation, dry environments, eczema, urticaria, candidiasis, and others. If abnormal symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation at a hospital to identify the underlying cause and receive targeted treatment. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Heat and Sweat Irritation
Excessive sweating during intense exercise or in high-temperature environments can lead to skin irritation due to salts and bacteria in sweat. This may clog pores, trigger skin reactions, and result in itching and red spots, possibly accompanied by stinging sensations and increased local skin temperature. It is advisable to maintain good personal hygiene, take a shower and change clothes promptly after exercising, and avoid using skincare products with strong irritants.
2. Dry Environment
In dry conditions, the skin tends to lose moisture, becoming dry and leading to itching and mild red spots, along with possible flaking and tightness. Moisturizing lotions or creams containing ingredients such as urea or glycerin can help. Maintaining moderate indoor humidity and avoiding prolonged exposure to air conditioning or heating systems is also recommended.
3. Eczema
Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition triggered by various internal and external factors, such as genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and impaired skin barrier function. Water loss and penetration of external irritants into the skin provoke inflammatory responses, causing itching and red spots, often accompanied by dryness, scaling, and oozing. Topical anti-inflammatory and antiallergic medications such as desonide cream or hydrocortisone cream should be used under medical guidance, along with oral antihistamines like fexofenadine tablets. Keeping the skin clean and dry and avoiding contact with irritants are also important.
4. Urticaria
When the body encounters allergens, the immune system releases inflammatory mediators such as histamine, causing blood vessel dilation and increased permeability, which leads to skin symptoms including redness, swelling, and hives. Doctors typically recommend medications such as cetirizine tablets, loratadine tablets, calamine lotion, or immunosuppressants for treating urticaria, along with avoiding known allergens.
5. Candidiasis
When the skin comes into contact with pathogenic fungi such as Candida, the fungus can grow and multiply on the skin surface, disrupting normal skin structure and causing inflammation and itching. Symptoms may include scaling and ring-shaped rashes. Antifungal treatments such as clotrimazole cream or ketoconazole cream can be applied topically under medical supervision, and oral antifungal agents such as itraconazole capsules or terbinafine hydrochloride tablets may be prescribed. Keeping the skin clean and dry and avoiding damp environments are also essential.
In daily life, maintaining personal hygiene, ensuring skin cleanliness and dryness—especially promptly wiping off sweat during summer—is crucial to prevent infections and related symptoms.