Flat pinprick-sized bright-red spots on skin?

[SarahLM93]

Any dermatologists out there have any idea what this could be?

Tiny red spots began appearing on my skin a few days ago, with a few new ones popping up every day.
They are flat and appear as if they're on or just under the surface.They do not itch. Most of them are on my upper left arm. They're so tiny, they are hard to capture in a picture, but I did my best.

The largest is on my neck.  http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/194/croppedd.png/
The rest are about this small, or smaller.   http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/845/cropped2.jpg/

My best googling has turned up nothing. They're much smaller than cherry angiomas I've seen, that and I'm much too young to be getting those... I don't think it's petechia, since my spots look even smaller than that.

I have a chronic GI illnes + other odd symptoms that has stumped doctors for 9 months and counting, but I'm not sure if this is or isn't related.

Thanks so much :)

[SarahLM93]

So sorry! I just remembered after posting some other baffling business! My dermatologist confirmed what you said - harmless little cherry angiomas.

I have quite a collection going at this point...

Thanks again! Keen eye!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
These look like cherry angiomas. Cherry angiomas are made up of clusters of tiny capillaries at the surface of the skin, forming a small round dome ("papule"), which may be flat topped.

The underlying cause for the development of cherry angiomas is not understood, so nothing can be predicted about their prevention but rest assured; they are harmless.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. Treatment can be started only when the diagnosis is confirmed. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.