Differential Diagnosis for Red Dots on Fingers
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Cherry Angiomas: These are small, benign vascular lesions that appear as red dots on the skin, often on the fingers, and are very common in adults. They are usually harmless and require no treatment.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Petechiae: Small, pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin caused by minor bleeding from broken capillary blood vessels. They can appear on the fingers due to various reasons such as trauma, straining, or certain medical conditions.
- Folliculitis: Inflammation of the hair follicles, which can cause red dots or bumps on the skin, including the fingers, especially if the area is irritated or infected.
- Keratosis Pilaris: A harmless condition that causes small, rough, sandpaper-like bumps on the skin, which can sometimes appear red, often on the fingers, due to dry skin or other factors.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Janeway Lesions: These are painless, red, macular lesions that can appear on the palms and soles, including the fingers, and are associated with infective endocarditis, a serious heart condition.
- Osler's Nodes: Painful, indurated lesions that can appear on the fingers and toes, associated with infective endocarditis or other serious systemic infections.
- Vasculitis: Inflammation of the blood vessels, which can cause red dots, purpura, or other skin lesions on the fingers, and can be a sign of a serious underlying condition affecting the blood vessels.
Rare Diagnoses
- Sweets Syndrome: A rare condition characterized by the sudden onset of fever, leukocytosis, and tender, erythematous, well-demarcated papules and plaques, which can sometimes appear as red dots on the fingers.
- Erythema Multiforme: A skin condition characterized by target-like lesions, which can sometimes appear as red dots, often on the fingers, and can be triggered by infections or medications.
- Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis: A rare condition that involves inflammation of the small blood vessels and can cause red dots, purpura, or other skin lesions on the fingers, often associated with systemic diseases or drug reactions.