Hi
I'm only 18 so when I find red marks and stuff on my skin I freak out and think, I'm getting old! Thing is in my upper abdomen (about an inch below my bra) there are very small thin red lines, that look like burst capillaries or something. They kinda look like stretch marks but i'm pretty sure they're not. And recently a round red mark appeared on my forehead, it's not huge but it's not a spot and hasn't gone away in a few months.

I'm concerned that I'm not getting enough of some nutrients or something to keep my skin and vessels in good order. Does any one have any ideas?

Thanks :up:

Ah..there's a thread on VB somewhere where they talk about what these "red dots" are called, but I can't remember the name.

I'm red dot free (but the moles...oh lordy), but I think they're pretty normal.

The red mark on your forehead could be a seborrheic keratose (harmless). But any mark like you describe which does not go away should be checked by a dermatologist or a doctor (if where you live you need to see a doctor before being referred to a specialist - I know in some countries one cannot go straight to a specialist - god only knows why.)

The dermatologist would also explain to you why you get the other red lines. (Stretch marks do sometimes start out as red lines before turning white by the way. Adolescents can get them when they have growth spurts - often on their buttocks and thighs. Boys get them too.)

The red mark on your forehead could be a seborrheic keratose (harmless). But any mark like you describe which does not go away should be checked by a dermatologist or a doctor (if where you live you need to see a doctor before being referred to a specialist - I know in some countries one cannot go straight to a specialist - god only knows why.)

The dermatologist would also explain to you why you get the other red lines. (Stretch marks do sometimes start out as red lines before turning white by the way. Adolescents can get them when they have growth spurts - often on their buttocks and thighs. Boys get them too.)
I've had those on and off for years, (the seborrhei keratose), since I was a kid, and during pregnancy I would see an irritation and/or increase of them....I have not had any problems since (four years).
If these are the red marks you are talking about, well, barring pregnancy, mine became less and less noticable as I got older (I'm 34), so as Diana said, try to check it out with a dermatologist and yep even my 16 yo has a few red stretch marks from weight gain and loss. Good luck and let us know how things go.

Thanks all :up:
I looked up the seborrhei thing and I don't think it's that, cos it doesn't look like it. It's a very small red mark - just like a wee blemish, not raised. I'm sure I'm just being paranoid. The other red marks, I was thinking may be stretch marks but I'm not sure, cos I always thought stretch marks were horizontal and these aren't. I also thought it could be because I've started wearing a wired bra recently? :think: I dunno!

cherry angiomas (sp?) is another sort of red mark--it usually looks like a tiny red or pink freckle or mole. i have many of them. others look like tiny pin pricks--that's more common on my body.

i also have capillary breaks on my face. they don't bother me.

Yes! I have two of those, have had them for years and they never bothered me but now that these other things have appeared, I get concerned. i'm sure i'm just being paranoid.. they're more linear than spots tho

thanks!

Does anyone have any ideas of nutrients that are meant to be good for skin and blood vessels? I couldn't find much on google..

oh....angiomas! That's the word I was trying to remember earlier. There was an old thread where someone talked about how they had them all the time (FormerBaboon I think).

that was driving me crazy :)

It sounds like varicosis of little veins on your upper abdomen. Sometimes they appear without any known reason, sometimes however in the wake of a pulmonary condition. Best see a dermatologist, who can also advise on the red mark of your foreheard.

Thank you lothar. I always thought varicosis was more a blue, white colour. The only reason i'm bothered is cos I'm 18 and this can't be healthy! But anyway I'm going to go to the doctors soon and maybe they can refer me to a dermatologist.

Thanks all!