What should you know about causes of red bumps on skin?

Contact Dermatitis may follow a new product, detergent, metal or plant and often itches or stings where contact occurred. Heat Rash tends to appear in warm, sweaty, covered areas. Rosacea commonly affects the central face and may flare with heat, sunlight or skincare products. Psoriasis can create well-defined, scaly areas. Sunburn causes tender redness after ultraviolet exposure. Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can produce a warm, painful, expanding red area; its borders and general symptoms matter more than the word bump alone.

Stop any newly introduced product, rinse gently, keep the area cool and avoid scratching. Use sun protection and loose clothing when exposure or friction may be involved. Do not apply strong steroid, antibiotic or combination creams without advice, because they can irritate skin or disguise infection. Photograph the bumps and record their onset, triggers, itch, pain and spread for an assessment.

Seek prompt medical care if redness is rapidly expanding, hot, increasingly painful, associated with fever, pus or red streaks, or located near the eye. Get emergency help for facial swelling with breathing trouble, widespread blistering, faintness or confusion.

Ask which features identify the likely cause, whether a medicine or product should be stopped, how to protect the skin barrier, and what change would mean the rash is becoming infected.