Small Bumps On Skin Itchy

How Is Itchy Skin Treated

The treatment of itchy skin depends on what is causing it. Your doctor may need to take a skin biopsy, blood, urine or stool samples, or order some radiology tests to diagnose the cause.

If you have itchy skin, here are some things that may help:

• Try not to scratch the area. The more you scratch, the more the skin will itch.
• Keep your nails short to prevent breaking the skin if you do scratch.
• A cool bath or shower may help provide short-term relief, but excessive showering or bathing may make it worse.
• After a bath or shower gently pat yourself dry with a clean towel. Do not rub or use the towel to scratch yourself.
• Do not use any soaps, shower gels or foam bath products as they can dry the skin and make the itching worse. Use a soap-free wash.
• Use moisturiser all over the skin at least 2 times a day, and more often if the skin feels dry. You can buy cooling moisturisers that contain menthol to soothe the itch.
• Try to wear loose cotton clothing which can help prevent you overheating and making the itch worse. Avoid fabrics which irritate your skin like wool or scratchy fabrics.
• Reducing stress and considering meditation, yoga, hypnosis or exercise can be helpful.

Your pharmacist may be able to recommend some products which can help with itchy skin.

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.

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.

Read Also: Where Can You Get Squamous Cell Carcinoma

How Do You Get Rid Of Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis pilaris isnt harmful, so you usually dont need to treat it. For some people, the bumps go away on their own or become less noticeable by about age 30. You may also notice that the bumps go away in the summer and only become noticeable in the winter.

If the bumps bother you, treatment with moisturizers, creams and gentle skin care may help your symptoms.

Treatments your healthcare provider may recommend can include:

Over-the-counter moisturizing lotions

Dry skin can make keratosis pilaris worse. Applying an over-the-counter moisturizer keeps skin hydrated, minimizing and softening the bumps. Apply moisturizer several times each day, especially after showering while your skin is still damp. Moisturizers with ammonium lactate and alpha hydroxyl acids, such as AmLactin® or CeraVe SA® cream, are the best choices for rough, bumpy skin and people with keratosis pilaris.

Medicated creams

Your healthcare provider can tell you if prescription-strength moisturizers may be right for you. The ingredients urea, alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid and glycolic acid can sometimes improve the look of keratosis pilaris. Medicated vitamin A creams, such as Retin-A®, can help decrease the buildup of keratin that causes keratosis pilaris. Be careful not to use too much. Overuse of these medicated creams can irritate your skin.

Exfoliating

Laser treatments

Laser treatments can help improve the discoloration associated with keratosis pilaris. Dermatologists perform laser treatments.

What Are The Different Treatment Options For Dyshidrotic Eczema

Treatment options for dyshidrotic eczema usually depend on the severity of the signs and symptoms and may include:

• Corticosteroids: Corticosteroid creams and ointments may reduce inflammation and speed the disappearance of blisters. After applying a corticosteroid, wrapping the treated area in plastic wrap or moist compresses can enhance absorption. The doctor may prescribe corticosteroid pills in severe cases, such as Prednisone.

• If other treatments are ineffective, the doctor may recommend a special light therapy that uses ultraviolet light to clear the skin. The doctor may also give medicine with light therapy to help make the skin more receptive to the effects of light therapy.

• Immune-Suppressing Ointments: Medications such as Tacrolimus and Pimecrolimus can calm the irritation and be an alternative for people who want to reduce their exposure to steroids. However, immuno-suppressing ointments may increase the risk of skin infections.

• Botulinum Toxin Injections: Some doctors may prescribe botulinum toxin injections to treat severe cases of dyshidrosis. These shots also stop the hands and feet from sweating, which is one of the triggers of dyshidrosis.

• Moisturizing Lotion or Cream: This may help treat dry skin.

Don’t Miss: What Happens When You Have Skin Cancer

How Is Keratosis Pilaris Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will typically diagnose keratosis pilaris with a simple physical examination of your skin where you have bumps. Keratosis pilaris is easy to recognize, so medical testing isnt usually necessary. The location and characteristics of the bumps can help you identify whether you have keratosis pilaris. But if your healthcare provider isnt sure, they may conduct an allergy test or a biopsy.

Location

Keratosis pilaris bumps most often show up on your arms especially your upper arms. However, they can appear wherever hair follicles are on your body, including your:

Characteristics

How your skin bumps look and feel can reveal a lot about their cause. Keratosis pilaris bumps are:

• Painless: If you feel discomfort or pain when pressing on a skin bump, its probably not keratosis pilaris.
• Itchy or dry: The bumps, and the skin around them, may feel itchy or dry.
• Rough: Running your hands over these bumps may feel rough to the touch, like sandpaper.
• Discolored: Depending on the natural color of your skin, your bumps may appear skin-colored, red, white, brown, dark brown or black.

Complications Of Itchy Skin

It’s quite common to find that after you have scratched an itch that it becomes more persistent and you get into a cycle of itching and scratching. This can be painful and can sometimes lead to an infection if the skin is broken.

The scratching can also lead to brown or pale marks on the skin, lumps, bruising or scarring.

Don’t Miss: How To Detect Melanoma Early

Common Causes Of Itchy Red Bumps On Your Skin

After acne, rashes are the second most common skin infection. Although rashes can affect any part of the body, they often affect the legs, arms, and torso.

Like many other infections, the cause of your itchy red skin may be bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic. Although taking over-the-counter treatments can help you eliminate unsightly skin lumps, its usually not so simple. The cause of your itchy red skin has a major role in determining the type of treatment youll take.

Lets dig in! And find out what could be causing your skin to form red itchy bumps.

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.

Recommended Reading: What Is Liver Cell Carcinoma

Psoriasis: A Disease Affecting The Growth Cycle Of Skin Cells

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can cause patches of thick, dry skin covered with silvery scales. Known as plaques, these itchy, raised patches can appear anywhere on the body. An estimated 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, which is thought to occur when a faulty immune system accelerates the growth cycle of skin cells. Up to a third of people with the condition also suffer from psoriatic arthritis, which causes joint pain and swelling. The exact cause of psoriasis is unclear, but genetics play a role. Treatments such as topical creams, light therapy, and medications can help manage psoriasis symptoms.

Skin Rashes Caused By Allergic Reactions To Medication

There are two main types of drug-induced skin rashes. One is immediate associated with hives, itching, and often with breathing difficulty, and tongue or lip swelling. If this happens, it is important to seek medical attention right away.

A drug rash can also occur several days to even weeks later. These may include skin bump eruptions, purple or red skin discoloration, or scaly and thickened areas of skin. This skin condition can occur anywhere on the skin or even inside the mouth. In rare cases, such as those accompanied by fever, pain, swelling, eye, mouth, or genitalia involvement, drug-induced rashes can be serious or even fatal, so check with your doctor. Treatment is to stop taking the drug and manage the symptoms with antihistamines or steroids.

You May Like: Does Avon Skin So Soft Repel Mosquitoes

What Causes Itchy Skin

Common causes of itchy skin include:

Dry skin: Skin can become dry and itchy in hot or cold, dry weather, or from using soap. Dry skin looks flaky and rough but it is not usually very itchy or red. Sometimes the skin can crack, which can be painful.

Insect bite: There will usually be a bump or blister around the bite. The area may be inflamed, painful and swollen.

Hives:Hives or urticaria is a raised, bumpy red or skin coloured rash that is very itchy. The rash is often on the chest, abdomen or back, but it can appear anywhere. The rash will last from a few hours to 24 hours and then disappear with no scarring.

Heat rash:Heat rash looks like little pink or red spots or blisters. They can appear anywhere on the skin. Heat rash, also called miliaria or prickly heat, is very common in babies.

Eczema:Eczema causes itchy, red, scaly patches on the skin. The patches are usually on the cheeks, elbow creases and behind the knees. Eczema is common in children and often runs in families who have conditions like allergies, hay fever or asthma. Eczema is also called atopic dermatitis.

Scabies:Scabies is an extremely itchy skin rash caused by small mites. There will be red lumps and threadlike tracks on the skin. These usually appear between the fingers and toes, on the insides of the wrists, in the armpits, around the tummy and groin or on the buttocks.

Itchy skin can sometimes be caused by certain medications, recreational drugs or herbal supplements.

Insect Bites And Stings

Aside from the pain that accompanies bug bites, their bites can also leave itchy red bumps on your skin. Although they can cause discomfort, most insect bites are usually harmless. Not all bites and stings are the same. For example, mosquito bites produce a small red, round, and puffy bump.

Bites from bed bugs are quite different. Compared to mosquitoes and spider bites, bites from bed bugs produce bigger rashes.

Other insects that can produce itchy red bumps on your skin include

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, youre likely to get a bit now and then. The good news is, most bites fade away in 714 days.

The signs of a bug bite show almost immediately. If you notice a bug bite on your skin, quickly wash the area with soap and water.

If the itching is unbearable, you can apply a cold compress to the bite mark. Alternatively, you can apply calamine lotion to relieve the itching.

Top tip: Prevention is always better than cure. If you wake up from sleep with bite marks, you may have a bedbug infestation. I recommend you remove all your beddings, clothes and treat the area with a repellent.

Also Check: Is Melanoma In Situ Considered Cancer

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

How To Clear The Bumps On Your Childs Skin

While some bumps will clear on their own, getting an accurate diagnosis is essential. It can be difficult to know whats causing your childs rash. Bumps on the skin can look alike. Could you tell the difference between long-lasting hives and atopic dermatitis? The pictures shown here look alike, dont they?

It often takes years of in-depth medical training and experience to spot the differences. Your pediatrician or board-certified dermatologist can give you an accurate diagnosis. To become board certified, a dermatologist must know how to diagnosis and treat more than the 3,000 conditions that affect the skin.

Are all dermatologists board certified?

No. See what it takes to become board certified.

Images1,6, 8,9,11,12: Images used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

2, 7, 10: Used with permission of DermNet New Zealand Image Library.

3,4: Getty Images

5: Image: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013 69:736-41

ReferencesAlai AN. Keratosis pilaris clinical presentations. Medscape. Last updated June 19, 2014.

Belazarian L, Lorenzo ME, et al. Exanthematous viral diseases. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine . McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008: 1867-9.

Blauvelt A. Pityriasis rosea. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine . McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008:362-6.

Recommended Reading: How To Prevent Melanoma Naturally

What Are Symptoms And Signs Of Small Itchy Bumps On Skin

The major symptom of small itchy bumps on your skin is the outbreak of small bumps which may cause itching as well as redness on the skin. Small itchy bumps on neck and small itchy bumps on the neck can be found due to various allergic reactions. These bumps can be large or small and can be different from person-to-person. Small bumps on fingers may also cause due to bacterial or viral infection.

Sometimes bumps may be accompanied with red scars and may form blisters which can also be highly painful. It is important to take the help of a doctor to know the exact cause of these blisters which can make you highly uncomfortable.

How To Manage Molluscum Contagiosum

While you have the virus:

• You are contagious. Protect other people from direct contact with your affected skin areas.
• Dont scratch or pick at the rash. Scratching spreads the infection. If needed, cover affected skin with bandages to help prevent scratching.
• Dont shave the bumps. This can also spread the virus on your own skin.
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after caring for the rash.
• Dont share towels, washcloths, or clothing with anyone.
• Dont scratch or pick at any areas that have bumps.
• Dont have sex if the bumps are in the genital area.
• If you play contact sports or other activity that involves skin-to-skin contact, cover all affected skin with clothing or bandages.
• Dont swim in public pools until the rash goes away.

Also Check: Is Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Curable

What Is Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by a virus of the same name. It produces benign, raised bumps, or lesions, on the upper layers of your skin.

The small bumps are usually painless. They resolve without treatment and rarely leave scars. The length of time the virus lasts varies for each person, but the bumps can remain from 2 months to 4 years.

Molluscum contagiosum transmits between people through direct skin contact with someone who has the virus or by touching an object that the virus has contaminated, like a towel or a piece of clothing.

Medication and surgical treatments are available, but you wont need them most of the time. The virus can be more difficult to treat or cause more severe effects if you have a weakened immune system.

In this article, we explain the symptoms, causes, and treatments for molluscum contagiosum.

What Is Dyshidrotic Eczema And Who Gets It

Dyshidrotic eczema, also called dyshidrosis or pompholyx, is a chronic skin disorder in which small, itchy bumps or blisters develop on the soles of the feet or palms, or back of the hands. It mainly affects adults aged 20 to 40 and is more common in women than men. People with allergies like hay fever, a family history of dyshidrotic eczema, or other types of eczema are more likely to get this condition. Dyshidrotic eczema is not contagious, and one can not catch it by touching someone who has it. However, dyshidrotic eczema can be a lifelong, debilitating disease.

You May Like: Can You Have Skin Cancer On Your Scalp