If the reddish spots on your nose are flat and level with the skin, they likely are a skin abnormality known as macules, according to the "Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy." If they are raised enough that you can easily feel them, they are called papules. Macules may have sensation, such as itching, but they are not elevated. Papules can be raised with a flat top or be like a lump or bump.
Macules
Reddish macules on your nose will have margins, meaning you can easily see where the color is and isn't. If you make a circle on your nose with a marking pen, that would be much like a macule. Macules can be any color from just lighter than your skin tone to black. Freckles are one of the most common macules. When macules join together at the edges, they are called a plaque. You may have seen freckles joined like this.
Papules
Reddish papules on your nose will be spots that you can feel with your fingers. Some kinds are flat on top and not raised much. Others are like pimples, which begin as a papule. Papules can be any color from pink to black. If they are from an infection, they usually change from pink to a fairly bright red as the infection worsens. Dr. Thomas Habif, in his medical text "Clinical Dermatology," lists several conditions with macules or papules on the nose.
Causes
Allergic reactions can cause reddish spots on your nose. Usually they will appear on other parts of your body as well and may itch. Rosacea is a common cause of flat reddish bumps. It usually includes any or all of the center of the face and the cheeks. It tends to appear in middle age and can run in families. The autoimmune disease lupus can cause a rash on the nose and across the cheeks in a butterfly pattern.
Considerations
If you feel ill, have a fever, or if these bumps are new, you should check with your doctor. A pink to red flat rash can occur with any viral disease and many bacterial infections. If the bumps change or persist, they also should be seen by your doctor. You may need to visit a dermatologist to get a definitive diagnosis. With children, you will want to find out as soon as possible what is causing the rash.
Diagnosis and Treatment
In many cases, flat reddish bumps on the nose can be diagnosed easily. Sometimes a skin biopsy may be required. For rashes and bumps that may indicate a systemic disease, blood tests may be needed. The treatment, of course, depends on the cause. Spots on the nose can be unattractive and you will want to follow the treatment plan carefully to get rid of them. There are new treatments available for many skin conditions that are both safe and effective.
References
- "The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 17th Edition"; Mark Beers and Robert Berkow, editors; 1999
- "Clinical Dermatology, 3rd Edition"; Thomas P. Habif; 1996
- DermNet NZ: Facial Skin Problems
