
If you play sport, or you're a liability on a night out, then you've probably woken up with some strange bruises on your legs and arms and wondered where the hell they've come from.
Unless you work in the medical field, it's nearly impossible to keep up with all the minor health issues that our bodies present to us and Google is rarely our friend when it comes to searching for symptoms.
Red marks on the skin is certainly a common issue for many and the reality is that it could mean nearly anything, such as the outbreak of scabies we saw in the UK late last year, with the disease making a resurgence after being prevalent in Victorian times.
Advert
Psoriasis, an 'invisible disease' that half a million people live with in the UK, is also a scaly skin condition which affects people across the world.

The world can be a scary place at times and is often a minefield for these sorts of conditions presenting themselves, such as the YouTuber who was struggling with 'swimmer's itch' - a parasitic condition caused by allergic reaction to a type of tiny flatworm that is found in open water. If that doesn't make you want to take a nice cold dip, I don't know what will.
So, we're certainly not short of experience when it comes to various skin conditions but many of us might have no clue how to react when we an unexpected red spot appears out of nowhere.
For those of you who are concerned about the red spots, which can pop up practically anywhere on your body, then not to fear, the doctor is in.
Advert
The spots, which are sometimes so small that you might not even notice them, are more common when you are feeling sick and are caused by illnesses ranging from the simple and reversible to the more serious.
If you think it might be a rash, then you'd actually be wrong.
As per Cleveland Clinic, these pinpoint red dots on the skin, known as Petechiae, are caused by broken capillaries - tiny blood vessels under the skin. They are not itchy or painful.
If you press on petechiae, they’ll stay purple, red or brown. But if you press on a rash, it will turn pale or lighter.

Advert
For those of you keen to know how to avoid these skin problems, the answer is a common one, stay away from sick people and practice good hygiene and skin care.
If you're an adult and you find them on your skin, then you may not need any treatment, but it is still a good idea to speak to a doctor in case it is more serious.
However, petechiae are believed to be more serious in children, so if you see any on your kids, then it's definitely a good idea to seek out treatment immediately.