Red sores on the skin

A sore with warmth, swelling, tenderness, or drainage can occur with Cellulitis, while contact with a product or plant can cause Contact Dermatitis. Heat Rash affects sweaty areas, and Sunburn follows ultraviolet exposure. Psoriasis may produce recurring red plaques with scale; Rosacea usually affects the central face and can flare with heat or other triggers. Skin Redness may describe the visible sign rather than a diagnosis, so the sore's surface and surrounding skin matter.

Clean gently with lukewarm water, pat dry, and protect an open area with a clean dressing. Avoid scratching, picking, alcohol-based products, and unadvised antibiotic or steroid creams. Record when it began, exposures, pain, warmth, drainage, and any fever. A clinician can decide whether treatment for infection, inflammation, or a burn is appropriate; IPL Photofacial is not a treatment for an unexplained open sore.

Seek urgent assessment for rapidly expanding redness, severe pain, hot swelling, pus, red streaks, tissue darkening, fever, chills, confusion, or faintness. Get immediate help for breathing difficulty or swelling of the face or mouth. Arrange routine review for a sore that persists, repeatedly breaks down, bleeds, or fails to heal.

Ask whether the sore is infected, irritated, burned, or part of an inflammatory condition, and whether it needs a swab or dressing plan. Tell the clinician about new products, sun exposure, injuries, medicines, and previous episodes.