Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Tiny red spots on arms

43 replies

ThatsBullshirt · 18/04/2022 20:41

I've looked at Dr Google and worried myself sick tonight. I know I should have but my health anxiety is out of control at the minute and I had hoped it would ease my mind.

Yesterday afternoon I noticed I have some tiny, pinprick-sized red spots on my arms which Dr Google says might be petechiae. Unlike 99% of the pictures online, mine are not clustered together or rash-like but rather dotted over (mostly) my forearms. There is more than 25 dots over both arms but as they are so small it's hard to actually get a proper number. I've got no other symptoms although I have just gotten over a rather rotten cold which seemed to develop into a bit of a sinus infection for a couple of days. I'm pretty sure they aren't cherry angiomas as I have two of them and they are raised and slightly bigger.

I know I should make a GP appointment but I think I might wait a day or two to see if they disappear or if any more appear first. The last couple of times I've asked for a blood test due to worrying about iron deficiency I have been fobbed off so I'm not wanting to jump too quickly at trying to get an appointment.

Does anyone know what can cause this? Other than leukemia which is what I keep reading and terrifying myself about. Maybe a vitamin deficiency or something? I've attached a picture but it's really hard to get a decent one with how small they are.

Tiny red spots on arms
OP posts:
Amybelle88 · 17/06/2022 08:52

Here's a pic of mine, hopefully this helps you a little. It's pretty much the same on my other arm in different places - totally normal, honestly xx

Tiny red spots on arms
jul1012 · 04/03/2023 17:15

@ThatsBullshirt hey there, did you find out what these are and do you still have them? Worrying exactly about the same issue!

Original poster
ThatsBullshirt · 04/03/2023 19:22

@jul1012 Never discovered what they are and I still have them. I've just accepted that they are normal.

OP posts:
ineedacupoftea · 05/03/2023 01:36

Mine are still here too (although they do come and go a little bit, so the spots aren’t always in exactly the same place). I agree, really not a concern (but it did take me a while to believe that!)

jul1012 · 05/03/2023 12:07

Thank you for responding both! What worries me I am getting more of them (started from the arms too) and I have them now on my belly and upper part of the legs.
Do your dots look similar?

Tiny red spots on arms
jul1012 · 05/03/2023 12:08

The quality of uploaded image looks worse than In the phone but in real life they all have a red tint to them, like a bursted capillaries

ineedacupoftea · 05/03/2023 15:32

Yes, identical - very hard to photograph but quite visible to the naked eye. All tiny red pin pricks.
I’ve had blood tests for autoimmune things and a full blood count since I first noticed these - nothing at all found wrong (the tests were to do with other symptoms, it wasn’t the spots, the GP was never interested in the spots and said not to worry about them).

ineedacupoftea · 05/03/2023 15:34

I can see loads on just my forearm.

Tiny red spots on arms
jul1012 · 05/03/2023 19:35

Thank you ❤️ I did bloods too and they came normal... I am planning to do the extensive test for the thyroid and vitamin deficiency as I read this may cause it. Unsettled about it but my GP was exactly the same! He barely could see them and said - oh maybe it is an irritation (we know it is not).

Original poster
ThatsBullshirt · 05/03/2023 20:30

My dots look the same, GP was also unconcerned by them. I've got them on my arms, chest, tummy and legs. I first noticed them on my arms and then elsewhere. I don't know if they appeared all at the same time though and I just didn't notice. I am honestly not worried about them anymore and have accepted that they are here to stay.

OP posts:
TheGlitterati · 06/03/2023 12:39

I also have this and think I must have commented before. Had them years now. Normal bloods.

hettie06 · 17/06/2023 23:51

I have these. I’ve had them ever since I can remember but then during my pregnancy I got looooaaaads on the top half of my arms and they’ve never gone away. Absolutely nothing to worry about

Katie342 · 20/06/2025 19:56

@ineedacupoftea. Hi. Came across this thread. Did you ever get to the bottom of these? Have they shrunk over time. I’m having a moment and have discovered I have a lot of these!

Katie342 · 21/06/2025 10:11

@ThatsBullshirtHello. I’ve stumbled on this post. Just wondering if your red dots have continued to multiply or if they’ve stayed the same? I’ve discovered I’ve got loads 🤦🏻‍♀️

jul1012 · 21/06/2025 15:55

Hey Hey there, I did. I went after all of these tests to dermatologist and she was absolutely sure that these are cherry hemangiomas in my case caused by hormonal changes in pregnancy. These are absolutely benign. So the issue with them is esthetic really and you would need to observe them in case if they grow too fast or becomes too big/bleeding. You can remove them safely with laser or nitrogen or surgically. I am considering doing it with the biggest ones I have and I ignore the rest just using more sunscreen than before. Hope it helps :)

ineedacupoftea · 02/10/2025 16:01

Hi @Katie342

I still have loads, they seem to come and go. Sometimes I have what seems like 100s, other times not so many. I don’t even think about them anymore, they obviously don’t mean anything.
sorry for the late response! I hope you feel reassured about yours.

Ssingh · 10/02/2026 18:32

ineedacupoftea · 16/06/2022 12:20

I know I posted earlier about these, but they are proliferating it seems and I can’t help but worry, despite others saying they are normal.
Do others have a lot? I seem to have 100s on my upper arms in particular, but also lower arms.

Did you find what they are ?

Ssingh · 10/02/2026 18:36

ThatsBullshirt · 05/03/2023 20:30

My dots look the same, GP was also unconcerned by them. I've got them on my arms, chest, tummy and legs. I first noticed them on my arms and then elsewhere. I don't know if they appeared all at the same time though and I just didn't notice. I am honestly not worried about them anymore and have accepted that they are here to stay.

Do you still have them ?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page