Bumps On My Skin That Don’t Itch

What Causes Molluscum Contagiosum

The condition is caused by a virus called a poxvirus. It is most common in children and teens, but it can affect adults. The virus is most often spread through skin contact with an infected person. It can be spread through:

• Skin contact during sports
• Contact with sponges or towels of people who have the virus

The virus can also spread on your own skin by scratching or shaving the area with bumps.

Causes And Types Of Raised Skin Bumps

The most common causes of raised skin bumps are harmless and do not require medical treatment unless you have discomfort. Here are some of the possible reasons for raised skin bumps:

Less commonly, raised skin bumps are caused by more serious conditions that require treatment. Certain bacterial and viral infections cause bumps and will only get worse if they go undiagnosed and untreated. These serious conditions include:

• chickenpox, a common childhood virus characterized by red, itchy bumps that form all over the body
• impetigo, a bacterial skin infection common in young children that is highly contagious and results in reddish blisters that ooze and develop a honey-colored crust
• MRSA infection, an illness triggered by a staph bacteria that commonly lives on the skin, causing a swollen, painful bump with a white center
• scabies, a skin infestation caused by a tiny mite called Sarcoptes scabiei, producing an itchy, pimple-like rash

Other types of raised skin bumps can be caused by skin cancer. There are several types of skin cancer, all requiring medical management and treatment:

Most skin bumps are harmless and arent cause for concern. However, you should see your doctor if:

• skin bumps change or worsen in appearance, or last for a long time
• you are in pain or they cause discomfort
• you dont know the cause of the bumps
• you suspect you have an infection or skin cancer

The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you dont already have a doctor.

What To Do If You Get A Rash

Some rashes form right away and others can take several days to occur. When a rash appears, you usually know it because it will start to bother you. If you develop a rash, tell a parent or another adult as soon as you can. For instance, you might want to see the school nurse if you are at school.

Try not to scratch. If you do, the rash may take longer to heal and you’ll be more likely to develop an infection or scar.

A visit to the doctor is a good idea if you have a rash. Although all rashes may look alike to you, your doctor or a dermatologist , a skin doctor, knows the difference. And knowing which kind of rash you have can help the dermatologist choose the best treatment to heal your rash.

For eczema, the doctor may suggest special moisturizers called emollients . Emollients retain the water in your skin, keeping it soft and smooth while soothing the itchy feeling.

For poison ivy, the doctor may recommend cool showers and calamine lotion. In more severe cases, a liquid or pill medicine called an antihistamine might be needed. It decreases itching and redness.

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Little Red Bumps On Skin That Don T Itch

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How Does This Condition Affect My Body

Keratosis pilaris causes small, discolored bumps to develop around your hair follicles. The palms of your hands and soles of your feet dont have hair follicles, so keratosis pilaris wont appear in these areas of your body.

Keratosis pilaris doesnt hurt, but it may make you feel self-conscious or insecure about your appearance.

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How Can You Tell If A Rash Is Serious

Here are some signs that your rash needs to be looked at by a medical professional:

1. If you have a fever or pain accompanying the rash.

You should get it checked out, Kroshinsky said. It could be a sign that you have an infection or are experiencing an allergic reaction.

2. If you have a sudden spreading of bruise-like lesions.

It might be a symptom of vasculitis and you need to get that looked at because your clotting cells might not be working right, Kroshinsky explained.

3. If your rash continues unabated.

You might have an infection, Kroshinsky said. Some rashes start out completely benign, but then a secondary infection develops because the integrity of the skin, which is a barrier against potential pathogens, has been disrupted, she explained. Signs of an infection include warmth and pain, yellow or green cloudy discharge and a bad odor.

What Are The Symptoms Of Keratosis Pilaris

The most notable symptom of keratosis pilaris is its appearance. The visible bumps appearing on the skin resemble that of goosebumps or the skin of a plucked chicken. For this reason, its commonly known as chicken skin.

The bumps can appear anywhere on the skin where hair follicles exist and, therefore, will never appear on the soles of your feet or palms of your hands. Keratosis pilaris is commonly found on the upper arms and thighs. In excess, it can extend to the forearms and lower legs.

Other symptoms associated with it include:

• slight pinkness or redness around bumps
• itchy, irritable skin

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Itchy Red Bumps Get Checked

These are just a few of the most common conditions that can cause your skin to become irritated, resulting in an itchy, red, or bumpy rash. Most of the conditions that cause itching and redness are not serious. But skin problems can be quite uncomfortable, and it can be difficult to figure out what has caused the rash just by looking at it. Seeing a dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis and treatment will make you much more comfortable, and in some cases it can stop you from getting very sick.

About Author: Lisa Coon

Lisa Coon is a Writing Coordinator for OSF HealthCare, where she has worked since August 2016. A Peoria native, she is a graduate of Bradley University with a degree in journalism. Previously, she worked as a reporter and editor at several newspapers in Iowa and Illinois.She lives in Groveland with her husband and son. In her free time she likes to cook, bake and read. She freely admits that reality TV is a weakness, and she lives by the quote, The beach is good for the soul.

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Can Gluten Intolerance Cause Keratosis Pilaris

One of the symptoms of gluten intolerance is a skin rash that looks similar to keratosis pilaris. No research indicates that gluten intolerance causes keratosis pilaris, though.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Keratosis pilaris is often a temporary skin condition that goes away over time. It usually doesnt cause any symptoms. But if you experience any discomfort like itchy or dry skin, or if it affects your mental health , reach out to your healthcare provider. There are ways to treat keratosis pilaris. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best ways to care for your skin.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/15/2022.

References

Here Are Some Other Common Types Of Rashes:

• Eczema , also called atopic dermatitis, is a common rash for kids. Eczema can cause dry, chapped, bumpy areas around the elbows and knees or more serious cases of red, scaly, and swollen skin all over the body.
• Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by skin contact with something irritating, such as a chemical, soap, or detergent. It can be red, swollen, and itchy. Even sunburn can be a kind of irritant dermatitis because it’s red and might itch while it’s healing.
• Allergic contact dermatitis is a rash caused by contact with an allergen . An allergen is something you are allergic to, such as rubber, hair dye, or nickel, a metal found in some jewelry. If you have nickel allergy, you might get a red, scaly, crusty rash wherever the jewelry touched the skin, like around your finger if you were wearing a ring. Urushiol , an oil or resin contained in poison ivy, oak, and sumac, also can cause this kind of rash.

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Reasons Your Skin Itches Uncontrollably And How To Get Relief

When your skin itches, you may have a rash however, you can have intensely itchy skin and see nothing on your skin.

Mosquito bites, chickenpox, and poison ivy arent the only reasons for itchy skin. See what else may be causing your itch and what can bring relief.

How to get relief:

• What can relieve itchy eczema?

How to get relief:

Molluscum Contagiosum Can Cause Doughnut

Though acne pimples are caused by bacteria on the skin, similar-looking lesions can actually be caused by a viral infection.

“Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin condition that can cause doughnut-shaped pink or skin-colored bumps on the skin. When small, these may be confused with pimples,” Dr. Bard told Insider.

According to the British Association of Dermatologists, molluscum contagiosum is caused by a pox virus and can be spread from person to person through direct contact or sharing personal items like towels or clothes.

The condition is generally harmless and usually clears by itself, though in some people this may take between six and 18 months.

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Chickenpox Can Cause A Rash That Looks Surprisingly Like Acne

Chickenpox is a common infection that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms start to develop around 10 to 20 days after exposure to the virus and typically include skin bumps that look very similar to body acne.

“Chickenpox is quite commonly mistaken for acne. That is because it causes an itchy rash along with small blisters that are filled with fluid,” Dr. Hardik Soni, emergency medicine physician and medical director of Ethos Spa, Skin, and Laser Center, told Insider.

If you’re prone to pimples on your body, you may mistake chickenpox for just another breakout. However, the virus will usually eventually cause fever, aches, and pains.

Though the symptoms of chickenpox are usually worse in adults, the condition does normally resolve by itself in about a week without any special treatment. It may be worth visiting your doctor anyway to confirm a diagnosis and get advice for alleviating your symptoms.

Red Bumps Trace Your Steps

Outbreaks of itchy red skin bumps are very common and have many different causes. If youre experiencing outbreaks, there are a couple of things you should consider before talking to a doctor. Having these things in mind will help the doctor make a more accurate diagnosis.

Itchy Red Bumps What is the cause?

Recent Contact?

First of all, you should think about anything unusual youve come into contact with recently. This list can include both natural materials and artificial ones . Then you should check to see if anything on that list stands out to you: maybe you ate a fruit that you dont normally eat, or used a new soap that you just bought. If something jumps out, its likely that you have allergy related hives.

A remote doctor can confirm a case of allergy related hives in just a few minutes . After getting your case diagnosed, you should ask your primary doctor about getting a blood allergy test. The blood allergy test can look at your sensitivity to hundreds of different allergens and give you a full picture of your allergies. You can use that information to avoid outbreaks in the future.

Disease of Infection?

If your rash doesnt seem related to an outside source, the next most likely cause is a disease or infection. Infection related rashes are easy to spot because they normally come with other symptoms. They also usually appear after contact with an infected person.

Noticed something similar? Try our FREE Skin Image Search today and get peace of mind

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What Causes That Itchy Rash

Atopic Dermatitis Finger

The cause of your rash could be due to a plethora of conditions. Rashes are not easy to diagnose and in some cases even doctors struggle to diagnose correctly. We would always recommend speaking to a board-certified dermatologist if you have a persistent rash. Equally, we have created artificial intelligence that allows you to search for potential skin rash causes. Simply upload an image and we provide the results.

Check Rashes at Home

Outbreaks of rashes that are itchy, red, spots or bumps on the skin are very common and have many different causes. If you have an outbreak, you need to do some itchy rash investigation yourself.

There are a few things to consider before talking to a doctor. Firstly, did you come into contact with something unusual recently? This can include both natural materials and artificial materials or work related . Anything unusual?

Maybe you ate fruit that you do not usually eat or used a new cosmetic or detergent product? Any of these, you likely have an allergy-related rash. An online dermatologist can confirm a case of an allergy-related rash in just a few hours.

Some Types Of Skin Cancer Can Look Like Pimples

One of the most alarming types of acne-mimickers is a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma.

“Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer and is often mistaken for a pimple. Pimples usually resolve over days to weeks. If instead, it lasts several months, you should see a board-certified dermatologist as it might need to be biopsied to rule out skin cancer,” Dr. Downes told Insider.

The good news is that basal cell carcinoma is considered a low-risk skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, it is only life-threatening in exceedingly rare cases.

“The risk of it spreading in the body is close to zero. It is just locally destructive to adjacent tissues,” explained Dr. Downes.

The typical treatment involves surgically removing the affected area. Even though basal cell carcinoma isn’t usually an aggressive type of cancer, it can result in scarring if left untreated for too long. Get any suspicious marks or bumps checked sooner rather than later to catch skin cancer early.

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Keratosis Pilaris Home Remedies

If you dont like the look of your keratosis pilaris, there are some techniques you can try to treat it at home. Although the condition cant be cured, self-care treatments can help minimize bumps, itching, and irritation.

• Take warm baths: Taking short, warm baths can help unclog and loosen pores. Its important to limit your time in the bath, though, as longer wash times can remove the bodys natural oils.
• Exfoliate: Daily exfoliation can help improve the appearance of the skin. Dermatologists recommend gently removing dead skin with a loofah or pumice stone, which you can purchase online.
• Apply hydrating lotion: Lotions with alpha hydroxy acid such as lactic acids can hydrate dry skin and encourage cell turnover. Some dermatologists recommend products such as Eucerin Advanced Repair and AmLactin, which you can purchase online. Glycerin, found in most beauty supply stores, can also soften bumps, while rose water can soothe skin inflammation.
• Avoid tight clothes: Wearing tight clothes can cause friction that can irritate the skin.
• Use humidifiers: Humidifiers add moisture to the air in a room, which can maintain the moisture in your skin and prevent itchy flare-ups.

Periorificial Dermatitis Can Cause Breakouts Around The Nose And Mouth

Periorificial dermatitis is a skin condition that causes clusters of small, itchy, and sometimes sore red bumps on the face. When the condition affects the lower half of the face, it may be known by the more specific term of perioral dermatitis.

Normally, periorificial dermatitis will go away once you stop using topical steroids or the irritating product. Sometimes dermatologists will also prescribe an oral antibiotic, such as tetracycline, or a topical antibiotic, like metronidazole.

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Warts Cysts Moles Hives: What Are They What Are Treatments

A mysterious bump has shown up on your skin and you have no idea what it is or if you should be worried. Skin lumps and bumps on or just below the skin are common, and most of the time, theyre harmless. However, some may be painful or be a symptom of a more serious condition.

Skin bumps vary in appearance and number depending on the cause, says Zhaoyi Qin, MD, an internal medicine physician at Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines. Most dont need treatment, but speak with your doctor if youre concerned about any changes in your bumps or the overall condition of your skin.

Heres a look at some of the most common skin bumps and what to do about them.

Cherry angiomas

Those small, smooth red bumps that suddenly appear on your skin especially on your torso are most likely cherry angiomas. They can range from a tiny dot to the size of a pencil top eraser. Youre more prone to develop them after age 40.

Cherry angiomas are not a health concern and dont need treatment. However, if their appearance bothers you, removal is an option. A doctor can shave them off or use a laser to remove them. Depending on the size of the angioma, you may have a scar.

Cysts

Cysts that cause problems may need treatment, says Dr. Qin. Often, draining the cyst through a tiny incision may provide relief. If the cyst is inflamed, a cortisone injection may help. Infected cysts may respond to antibiotics.

Dermatofibromas

Folliculitis

Hives

Keloids

Lipomas

Moles

Warts

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