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What are Common Causes of Red Lesions?

Carey Reeve
Carey Reeve

The term “lesion” is very broad; it can refer to any localized area of damaged tissue or tissue that simply looks different from the surrounding tissue whether it is internal or external or caused by physical trauma, infectious agent, or inflammatory response. Red lesions of the skin are common symptoms for many conditions such as psoriasis, syphilis, and allergic reactions. The common causes of red lesions generally depend on associated symptoms like fever, scaling on the skin, or the shape of the lesion.

Red lesions that form rings are called annular lesions and have red borders with a lighter center. They can indicate a fungal infection such as tinea corporis or ringworm, granuloma annulare which form bumpy rings with no known cause, or erythema migrans which is the rash that forms in a small percentage of people in the early stages of Lyme disease. Pityriasis rosea is another condition that can cause annular red lesions in the beginning stages and is suspected to be caused by a virus. Hives — known medically as Urticaria — are an inflammatory immune system response that can form annular rings.

Hives are skin lesions.
Hives are skin lesions.

Another diagnostic feature of red lesions is whether they contain a small, raised area known as a papule, a larger, raised area called a plaque, or a discolored but flat area termed a macule. Warts, acne, insect bites, or stings, and some skin cancers can all cause papules. A plaque can be caused by allergic reactions, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, or eczema. Flat birth marks, freckles, and even tattoos are considered to be macules along with those conditions such as measles, rubella, rickets that are caused by illness. Rosacea usually includes both macules and pustules, which is another lesion formation of small red bumps with fluid and pus inside them.

Red lesions that form rings, such as ringworm, are called annular lesions.
Red lesions that form rings, such as ringworm, are called annular lesions.

In some cases, the diagnosis of red lesions is helped by the presence or absence of scaling. Psoriasis lesions can be red, but are often covered with thick white to silver patches of scales. Seborrheic dermatitis, fungal infections, and eczema are all characterized by the likelihood of scaling. In other cases, the location of the red lesions may suggest a cause. The secondary stage of syphilis can produce rashes anywhere on the body, but the most common location is on the palms and the bottoms of the feet. Seborrheic dermatitis will show up most in areas that tend to be oily such as the scalp, forehead, and around the nose because those areas have the highest concentrations of sebaceous glands.

Discussion Comments

serenesurface

My uncle has mouth cancer. One of the first symptoms he had were red lesions in his mouth that weren't healing.

There are different causes of lesions in the mouth but they usually recover in several weeks. His lesions were not going away even after months and eventually, he was diagnosed with cancer.

ddljohn

@fBoyle-- It's not possible to diagnose these things online. Have you seen a doctor?

There are many, many potential causes of red lesions. This could be a yeast (fungal) infection or a bacterial infection. It could be a chest rash due to dermatitis (inflammation of skin) or it could be caused by a virus.

Your doctor has to do a swab test to figure out what is causing it. So I suggest taking an appointment as soon as possible.

fBoyle

What do red lesions on the breast signify?

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    • Hives are skin lesions.
      By: Jürgen Fälchle
      Hives are skin lesions.
    • Red lesions that form rings, such as ringworm, are called annular lesions.
      By: schankz
      Red lesions that form rings, such as ringworm, are called annular lesions.
    • Red lesions may occur as a result of an allergic reaction to poison ivy.
      By: marilyn barbone
      Red lesions may occur as a result of an allergic reaction to poison ivy.
    • Psoriasis typically appears as scaly, reddish colored patches of skin.
      By: paulandlara
      Psoriasis typically appears as scaly, reddish colored patches of skin.
    • Lesions on the scalp may be treated by a dermatologist.
      By: lenets_tan
      Lesions on the scalp may be treated by a dermatologist.
    • Antibiotics may be helpful in treating lesions.
      By: 18percentgrey
      Antibiotics may be helpful in treating lesions.
    • Red lesions may be characteristic of the skin condition eczema.
      By: Jingling Water
      Red lesions may be characteristic of the skin condition eczema.