You look at your body in the mirror and wait, where’d that new spot come from? Of course, your brain jumps to the worst possible conclusion: skin cancer. Before you freak out, you should know there are a lot of causes for a new spot or bump on your skin, and many are completely harmless, even if they are annoying to look at or deal with. If a new spot turns up, you should still make your dermatologist aware of it, says Dr. Michelle Pelle, dermatologist and medical director at MedDerm Associates in San Diego. This way, you can immediately rule out something more sinister.Here, a breakdown of all the not-so-serious skin spots (and a couple of concern), how to identify them and what you can do to return your skin to its former glory.1. Cherry angiomaA cherry angioma can look like a little red bump, though it may lie completely flat on your skin. It’s actually just a cluster of dilated blood vessels. “Patients will come in and say they keep getting more and more,” says Dr. Nada Elbuluk, assistant professor in the department of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center. “And it’s true, you get them as you age,” she said. They can also run in families — so if your older sister has some, chances are you will, too. The good news: They’re totally benign. If you want them removed, Pelle treats them with intense pulsed light, a light therapy that is similar to a laser treatment.2. PsoriasisPsoriasis is a common autoimmune condition in which the body produces skin cells at a rapid pace, causing them to pile up on the surface. This can result in red spots, raised bumps and crusty-looking patches of skin.While there are several types of psoriasis, 80% to 90% of people with the disease have plaque psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. These skin lesions can be red or pink in color topped with white or silvery scales that feel itchy or sore. They most often show up on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp. If you think you may be dealing with psoriasis, be sure to talk to your doctor, as it typically requires prescribed medications and therapies, depending on the severity.3. Keratosis pilaris (aka chicken skin) If you notice tiny, rough red spots on your skin — especially on your upper arms, thighs, cheeks or buttocks — you may be dealing with keratosis pilaris, which are plugs of dead skin cells, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The common condition is totally harmless, but can cause itching and dryness.If the appearance of them bothers you, treating dry skin will be your best bet, the AAD says. These bumps often get worse in the winter, thanks to lower humidity in the air. Applying body lotions regularly, or even moisturizers that contain chemical exfoliants such as lactic or salicylic acids, can help even out the skin’s texture. If general exfoliation and diligent moisturizing habits don’t seem to do the trick, talk to your dermatologist about prescription treatments.4. Skin tagsSkin tags are harmless fleshy growths that often pop up in clusters. They can be annoying, especially if they’re located around a bra strap or in a spot that your clothing tends to rub. That constant friction can make them irritated and inflamed, but if your skin tag is not bothering you, you don’t have to remove it. And if they are? Don’t try to get rid of them yourself by cutting or scraping them off. “People will use nonsterile tools and come in with inflamed, irritated and infected skin,” Elbuluk said. The only safe course is to see your dermatologist, who will either freeze or numb it before snipping it off. 5. FolliculitisFolliculitis is an infection underneath your hair follicles, according to the AAD. It can look a lot like a sudden acne breakout, but each spot will have a red ring circling it. Unfortunately, the condition can be painful but also not feel like anything at all, as symptoms vary widely. The infection can also make the skin a bit more swollen and itchy.Anything that damages your hair follicles — say, wearing tight clothing, rubbing your skin often, chafing, shaving or even hanging out in a dirty hot tub — can make it easier for germs to set up shop and cause an infection, the AAD says.Folliculitis will usually go away on its own if you stop doing whatever caused it. Applying warm compresses and wearing loose, breathable clothing can also help. But because it can look a lot like acne, talk to your doctor to ensure a proper diagnosis if your symptoms persist.6. Eczema Eczema is an umbrella term for a cluster of skin conditions that cause red, itchy, dry, swollen patches anywhere on the body, but particularly the hands, feet, face, cheeks or insides of the knees or elbows. Eczema can also make the skin look and feel rough and cracked, bumpy, thick or brittle and blistered.There are several types of eczema, and they’re all triggered by different things — everything from environmental factors to stress to genetics. Atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema, is linked to inflammation and the immune system. Contact dermatitis is caused by allergens or irritants, like certain chemicals or acids in your skin care or detergent.After a proper diagnosis from your dermatologist — this is important, since eczema can look like other conditions — symptoms are often managed through over-the-counter anti-inflammatory ointments and moisturizers or prescription drugs and injections.7. WartsIf you’ve ever dealt with a wart, you know just how stubborn they can be. Warts are actually caused by human papillomavirus, which consists of several strains that can affect various parts of your body (yes, including genitals.)The good news is, they’re typically harmless and painless if they appear on other parts of your body, like your hands or face. However, plantar warts can develop on the soles of your feet, which can become painful and interfere with running or walking, since you’re constantly putting pressure on them.Resist the urge to yank it off yourself, because that just opens the gates for infection. Instead, talk to your dermatologist, who will first perform a biopsy to make sure it’s not skin cancer. Then, they can remove it with prescription medications, laser treatment or by freezing or burning it off. Then, make sure you take these steps to prevent another wart from popping up.8. DermatofibromaYou’ll find a dermatofibroma most often on your arms and legs, and they can be pink or brown. The bump is made up of fibrous scar tissue, which can form as a reaction to something like a bug bite or ingrown hair.“A patient will come in and tell me that she’s had this bump that’s been on her skin for years and it never goes away,” Elbuluk said. Like a skin tag or cherry angioma, these are perfectly harmless. But because it can look like a mole, you’ll want a dermatologist to take a look to determine which one it is, as “moles can change into melanoma, but a dermatofibroma does not,” said Pelle.9. Solar lentiginesYou know them by their more common names: sun spots or age spots. They look like a cluster of moles that appear in sun-exposed areas like your arms, face, neck, upper chest and legs. While they’re related to how much sun exposure you’ve gotten, they don’t develop into skin cancer, said Elbuluk. Still, they’re hard to tell apart from moles that could turn cancerous. Also, having a lot of them makes it even harder for you to examine your skin yourself — all the more reason to get an annual skin check from a board-certified dermatologist. If they are simply sun spots and they bother you, here's how to get rid of them.10. Seborrheic keratosisSeborrheic keratosis is a dark, scaly, benign crusty overgrowth of the top layer of your skin, explained Elbuluk. These are common as you reach middle age and beyond. Your dermatologist can remove them by cutting them off, using liquid nitrogen or treating them with a laser. But it is important to note that “because it’s benign, insurance won’t cover it unless it’s in a bad spot, like on your collar and chronically irritated,” Elbuluk said. 11. Tinea infectionTinea can look like a small red birthmark or discoloration — almost like a stain on your skin. But these spots are actually a kind of fungal infection, including ringworm and athlete’s foot, according to the National Institutes of Health. Tinea comes in various shapes and sizes and the kind that infects your skin can spread (and infect other people) or become worse if not treated. Fortunately, treatment is often as simple as washing the infected area with a prescription soap or shampoo, which your doctor can hook you up with.12. Basal or squamous cell carcinomaYes, this is one of the bad ones — but many people don’t realize there are multiple types of skin cancer, Elbuluk said. “I’ll ask if someone has ever had skin cancer, and they will tell me, ‘No, just a basal cell.’” Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are the most common types of skin cancer; more than 3 million people are diagnosed with them each year, according to the American Cancer Society. Unlike a benign mole, they often appear red, scaly or pearly in appearance. While they’re not as deadly as melanoma, Elbuluk still recommended telling your dermatologist if a mole looks odd or is growing, changing or starts to itch and bleed.The best way to keep skin cancer away? Slather on the sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. 13. MelanomaMelanoma isn’t as common as basal or squamous cell carcinomas — it only accounts for about 1% of skin cancers — but it’s far more deadly if you don’t catch it early, says the ACS. To spot melanoma, use the ABCDE trick: Look for moles that are asymmetrical, have an irregular or less defined border, appear uneven in color, are greater than the size of a pea in diameter and that evolve over time. That’s why taking note of any new spots on your skin is so important. If you catch a suspicious mole early enough, your dermatologist can remove it and prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of your body — which can save your life.Additional reporting by Alisa Hrustic