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
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.
Signs And Symptoms Of Red Bumps On Skin
Red bumps or spots are common conditions that can appear on your skin. These bumps can develop on various parts of your body. They can occur on face, scalp, arms, legs, back, neck or any other part of your body.
The formation of red bumps on your skin could be symptoms of either benign or more serious health condition. Harmless red bumps on the skin are always painless and they can clear away without medical treatment.
Occasionally, red spots or bump on your skin might be a symptom of a more serious skin infection or underlying condition. For this case, you can consult the dermatologist to help in diagnosis and treatment of your skin problem.
Generally, red bumps on your skin can appear in various signs and symptoms depending on the causal agent. They might show up as small red raised dot or as a large lump. Also, the red bump can be in a form of a hard raised spot or soft fluid-filled bump.
The common signs and symptoms that are usually characterized by red bumps on the skin include:
- Redness, tender, and inflamed skin
- Small or large red raised spot on the skin
- Single or numerous red bumps on the skin surface
- Painful, itchy or burning red bump
- Painless or not itchy raised red spots
- Fluid-filled blisters, sores, and wound
- Blood-filled bump or clot of blood under the skin surface
- Flat red patch on the surface of the skin
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What Causes Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Despite its name, the herpes virus does not cause DH.
DH is caused by a sensitivity or intolerance to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and grains. When you have DH and eat food with gluten, the gluten combines with an antibody from the intestines. As the gluten and antibody circulate in the blood, they clog small blood vessels in the skin. This is what causes the rash.
White Itchy Bumps On Fingers
As for white, fluid-filled itchy bumps on the fingers as one of our readers who chose to use the pen name puzzled mom by the way describes her condition in an inquiry sent via comment section of another article, dyshidrotic eczema may be to blame even though the description makes the use of the term bumps not very correct technically speaking.
Otherwise known as dyshidrotic dermatitis or Pompholyx, this skin condition is appears as small, itchy fluid-filled blisters on the arms. The blisters usually affect the palm of the hand and/or the fingers only.
The cause of the condition is not yet known and the blisters tend come and go with a tendency to recur more in warm weather seasons.
People who work with cement and in moist environments are at higher risk of developing dyshidrotic eczema and so are people with hay fever and other allergies. Stress can also trigger the condition.
Common treatment options are:
- Oral antihistamines e.g. Benadryl to ease itching
- Moisturising with petroleum jelly e.g. Vaseline or heavy moisturising lotions e.g. Eucerin, Lubriderm etc. We recommend Intensive Care Body Lotion from Vaseline
- Prescription steroid creams
- Steroid pills
- Ultraviolet light therapy
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Keratosis Pilaris Can Cause Small Bumps On The Skin
Keratosis pilaris is a very common skin condition that causes small, hard bumps to appear on your skin like a rash. These bumps may make your skin feel like sandpaper.
“Some might mistake keratosis pilaris for acne, but it’s a genetic condition that occurs when the skin doesn’t exfoliate normally and the keratin blocks the pores, causing these tiny bumps,” Dr. Debra Jaliman, dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told Insider.
The bumps caused by keratosis pilaris are often light-colored and tend to crop up on the arms. Dr. Jaliman advised that the condition can be treated using lotions that contain keratolytic agents such as salicylic acid. Keratolytic agents cause the outer layer of the skin to loosen and shed, helping to exfoliate areas affected by keratosis pilaris.
What Is A Rash
A rash is usually a red mark on the surface of the skin. They can be caused by a host of reasons and well dig into that a little later. In all, a rash is a reaction to something. It could become swollen, red and even blister. Regardless, this is your body reacting to something it doesnt like. Your body does not produce a rash because its happy!
Genetics can also play a part in your the rashes you get. Depending on your genes you could be more sensitive to certain environmental factors, foods or otherwise. Its also worth pointing out that rash is not a specific diagnosis. It simply refers to any sort of inflammation or discoloration that distorts the skins normal appearance.
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What Is The Outlook
Inducible urticaria most commonly occurs in healthy young adults. You can have two or more different types of hives at the same time. As a rule, hives triggered by physical stimuli tend to improve and become less troublesome with time .
Acute hives usually last less than six weeks. Most cases last 24-48 hours and in some cases the rash only lasts a few hours.
Persistent hives tend to come and go. You may have times when the rash appears on most days, and then times when the rash may go away for a while. The severity of the rash and itch varies from person to person. Some things such as heat, cold, menstrual periods, stress, or emotion may make the rash flare up worse than usual.
- Symptoms may go away completely after a few months however, the condition lasts several years in some cases.
- In about half of cases, symptoms go within 3-5 years after the condition first starts.
- In about 1 in 5 cases the symptoms persist on and off for more than 10 years.
Further reading and references
Your Pimples Might Be An Allergic Reaction
Some skin products can clog pores and cause acne, but even many non-comedogenic products may cause rashes and allergic reactions that can look like acne.
“An allergic reaction could cause red bumps that may look similar to pimples. An allergic reaction tends to itch, while acne doesn’t cause itching,” explained Dr. Jaliman.
Dr. Jaliman advised that people with sensitive skin should avoid products with fragrance, as it’s a common source of skin sensitivity and skin allergy.
Preservatives used in makeup can also cause allergic reactions, and some people may experience skin problems as a reaction to certain foods or allergens like pollen.
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Contact Dermatitis: A Skin Rash Caused By Irritation Or Allergy
Contact dermatitis can be caused by any allergy-causing substance or irritating substance that touches your skin. Irritating substances are more common and include solvents, pesticides, and detergents. Allergic contact dermatitis is commonly seen with poison ivy, cosmetics, certain metals such as nickel, and medications that are applied to the skin. The skin rash of contact dermatitis can appear as red skin, skin bumps, blisters, scales, crusts, or sores. Itching is common. Treatment of contact dermatitis includes washing the skin and using anti-itch lotions and steroids.
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.
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Common Causes Of Itchy Red Bumps On Skin
The skin is the largest human organ. In fact, it accounts for about 15% of all our body weight. Whats more? Its our first line of defense against infection. Our skin also acts as a shield against microbes and harmful pathogens lurking in the outer environment.
Unfortunately, when infections make it through the outer barrier, the skin is also one of the most affected organs. Most times, when our skin is irritated, it appears as red itchy skin bumps.
However, having itchy red bumps may not be a symptom of an underlying infection in some cases. Most times, your itchy red bumps may be a nasty mosquito bite.
Regardless of the cause of the red bumps on your skin, having these discolorations and inflammation can make you look sick and affect your self-confidence too!
Once a part of your skin becomes swollen, reddened, or irritated, your skin is reacting to something it cant handle.
Unfortunately, a rash is not a specific diagnosis. Rather, it can result from infections, allergies, or something more serious like skin cancer.
More so, skin rashes vary in appearance, depending on their source. While some skin bumps may be hard and firm, others may be soft and moveable. Additionally, the size of skin bumps can also vary. Some may appear small and pimple-like, while others may be as large as boils. Fortunately, whether your skin bump is large, small, irregular, or itchy, its probably harmless.
A Line Of Bumps On The Skin
While discovering new bumps on your skin can be worrisome, the source can be often be identified. New skin bumps may be caused by allergies, injury or infections — but these type of bumps don’t typically appear in a line on the skin. Insect bites, however, are a likely culprit if the bumps show up in a line, curve or a zigzag pattern. Over-the-counter topical medication can usually manage the itch and discomfort associated with bug bites, but you should see a doctor if these bites lead to a severe or allergic response.
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Prickly Heat: A Skin Rash When Sweat Blocks Pores
Prickly heat, or heat rash, causes red skin that stings and itches. Small skin bumps may form as well. Heat rash is caused when sweat gets blocked in your pores. This is a common rash in babies, but can occur at any age. This skin condition tends to form where skin rubs against skin or clothing, such as in skin folds of the neck, breasts, groin, and underarms. The best treatment is to cool off, dry off, and reduce friction.
Check If You Have Keratosis Pilaris
Symptoms of keratosis pilaris may include:
You usually get patches of small bumps on your arms, thighs or bottom, but they can appear in other places.
The bumps are usually the colour of your skin. They can also be red on white skin or brownish-black on darker skin.
The skin can sometimes feel itchy, and may be better in summer and worse in winter.
Keratosis pilaris can affect people of any age. If your child has a rash and you’re not sure it’s keratosis pilaris, see more about rashes in babies and children.
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When To See A Doctor
Other skin conditions like warts and moles can resemble skin tags. Since some moles may be cancerous, its best to have your skin tags examined by a doctor. Your dermatologist or family doctor will be able to diagnose skin tags. Theyll likely do this through an in-person visual exam, but telehealth can also be an option.
Most skin tags are noncancerous growths, but if yours is atypical or looks suspicious, your doctor may perform a biopsy as a precaution.
Surgical removal for skin tags is a common outpatient procedure. After numbing the area with a local anesthetic, your doctor may perform one of the following procedures based on the size and location of the skin tag:
- Cauterization. Your doctor uses heat to remove the skin tag.
- Cryosurgery. Your doctor sprays a small amount of liquid nitrogen over the skin tag, which freezes off the growth.
- Electrocautery. You doctor could also burn the skin tag off with a specialized electric current.
- Ligation. Skin tags can sometimes be removed by cutting off the blood flow with surgical thread.
- Surgery. This simply involves your doctor snipping off the skin tag at its base with surgical scissors. The size and location of the skin tag will determine the need for bandages or stitches.
Who Does Keratosis Pilaris Affect
Keratosis pilaris is typically more common in babies, toddlers, children and teenagers, and it often worsens around puberty.
Youre more likely to have keratosis pilaris if someone in your family has it. As a result, healthcare providers and medical researchers believe that certain genetic traits may cause it.
Youre also more likely to have keratosis pilaris if you have:
- Fair or light skin.
- Obesity.
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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
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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When To See A Healthcare Professional About Rashes
If you dont already have a physician, you can use the Healthline FindCare tool to find a professional near you.
Go to the hospital immediately if you experience a rash along with any of the following symptoms:
- increasing pain or discoloration in the rash area
- tightness or itchiness in the throat
- difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face or limbs
- fever of 100.4°F or higher
- confusion
- severe head or neck pain
- repeated vomiting or diarrhea
Your healthcare professional may also:
- take your temperature
- order tests, such as an allergy test or complete blood count
- perform a skin biopsy, which involves taking a small sample of skin tissue for analysis
- refer you to a specialist, such as a dermatologist, for further evaluation
Your healthcare professional may also prescribe medication or medicated lotion to relieve your rash. Most people can treat their rashes effectively with medical treatments and home care.
Follow these tips if you have a rash:
- Use home remedies to soothe mild contact rashes.
- Identify potential triggers for the rash and avoid them as much as possible.
- Carefully follow any treatments your doctor prescribes. Speak with a healthcare professional if your rash persists or gets worse despite treatment.
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Its Easy To Mistake Folliculitis For Body Acne
If you think you have body acne, you may want to make sure it’s not actually folliculitis. This is a condition in which normal hair follicles become inflamed or infected, resulting in small red bumps. It most commonly occurs on the chest, back, arms, and legs.
“The bumps look like acne, but if you look closely, you will see the pattern follows hair your follicles. This condition is usually caused by bacteria but can sometimes be caused by yeast in the skin,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jerome Potozkin told Insider.
Prevention includes showering after exercise or hot tub use to remove sweat and bacteria, as well as using gentle antibacterial soap on affected areas. Treatment options range from topical antibacterial agents and anti-yeast medicines to oral medications.
The AAD advised that if you keep your immune system healthy and stop doing whatever is causing the folliculitis, it will usually go away.
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