Red itchy bumps on the skin can indicate skin disease. Different types of skin disorders can exhibit the sign. But, the severity and other symptoms may vary depending on the type of skin disease you suffer from. Therefore, you need to monitor your body for other signs and symptoms that can offer a clear picture of the type of skin disorder. Some skin issues are permanent, which heals when you seek treatment. But, others have a lasting effect on you. While you can inherit some skin diseases, others may indicate situational causes. Depending on the underlying issue, the red bumps with itching can vary from minor to serious. Therefore, you need to get information on the different types of skin disorders causing red bumps and itching. It will help you take the necessary steps to get relief and prevent further complications. So, you can contact your dermatologist at the right time to deal with the problem properly.

What Do You Mean By Red Itchy Bumps On The Skin?

Bumps refer to the raised skin surface. You can feel the unevenness of your skin when you run your fingers through it. The bumps can have a reddish color, which makes it visible on your skin surface. A wide variety of conditions, sometimes simple while others serious can cause the reddish bumps. The appearance of the skin bumps can vary in number depending on the cause of the issue. The large or small red itchy bumps can feel hard or soft. Therefore, you need to consult your dermatologist to know what exactly causes the red bumps with itching. The proper treatment can help you overcome the problem without further distress.

Different Skin Issues Causing Red Itchy Bumps On The Skin

Skin issues are visible to your eye. So, you can see problems like bumps. But, to know what exactly triggers the change in your skin, you need professional help. Your dermatologist can analyze the skin surface to detect the actual issue affecting your skin surface. Different problems can lead to the red itchy bumps on the skin. Some of the main skin problems that cause the specific symptom on your skin are:

Acne

Many teenagers and adults suffer from long-term skin disease. It is also known as acne vulgaris. Acne can mar the beauty of your physical appearance. It mostly appears on the upper body, especially above the chest region. Acne occurs when the dead skin cells and oil from your skin get clogged under the hair follicles. So, you can see the appearance of pimples, whiteheads or even blackheads. Without proper skin management, it can cause scarring. Acne can cramp and clog the pores of your skin. So, it causes dryness of the cells and subsequent friction. It makes the acne itching and causes the reddish color to the bumps.

Symptoms Of Acne

You can see the breakouts on the upper part of your body. It mostly has the following signs:

Acne occurs on your face, neck, upper back, chest, and shoulder region
You can see breakouts on the skin containing nodules or painful cysts
Cysts can contain whiteheads or blackheads
It can leave permanent scars if you fail to receive treatment

Hives

It is the outbreak that can result in pale, swollen, red bumps on your skin. The issues also known as urticarial can trigger plaques/wheals on your skin surface, which appears suddenly. It can occur due to the allergic reaction or for reasons that remain unknown.

Symptoms Of Hives

The hives are the result of your body’s reaction to something allergic. So, when you get exposed to allergens, you can see hives that appear with other signs like:

Raised welts with an itching sensation
Red and painful bumps
Warm bumps
Small in shape
Random/ring/round/large shape

Eczema

Eczema is a condition where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, red, cracked, and rough.

Symptoms Of Eczema

People with eczema can see the following signs on their skin:

Blisters may sometimes occur.
Yellow or white scaly patches that flake off
Affected areas may be red, itchy, greasy, or oily
Hair loss may occur in the area with the rash

Psoriasis

It is the condition that can cause red itchy bumps on the skin surface. The problem speeds up your skin cells’ lifecycle. Therefore, it results in the accumulation of the cells on the surface of your skin. The excess skin cells form the red patches and scales. It can cause pain as well as itching.

Symptoms Of Psoriasis

It is a chronic condition with no complete remedy. It can come and go. So, you can only manage its symptoms. It accompanies with other problems like:

Silvery, scaly patches
Skin patched with sharp definitions
Lower back, knees, elbows, and scalp get affected by the problem
Asymptomatic or cause itching

Contact dermatitis

It is the rash that appears when you come in contact with any substance that triggers an allergic reaction in your body. Therefore, you can see red bumps that cause itchiness due to the allergy. The rash does not cause any life-threatening complication. But, it can result in severe distress that makes you uncomfortable. Any substance, including fragrances, soap, jewelry, cosmetics, or plants can result in red itchy bumps on the skin. So, you need to keep away from the substance that triggers the allergic reaction.

Symptoms Of Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis can cause the following signs on your skin hours or days after coming in contact with the allergen:

Red and itchy skin
Raw and scaly skin
Blisters with pus
Crusty blisters

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a contagious infection caused due to the attacking of the varicella-zoster virus. It can result in fluid-filled blisters that have a reddish color to it. People who have not received immunization are at risk of getting the disease. Today, a single vaccination can prevent the problem from affecting your life. So, you need to provide your child with the vaccination for avoiding the disease.

Symptoms Of Chickenpox

Rash accompanied by body aches
Loss of appetite
Sore throat
Clusters of red itchy bumps on the skin
Fluid-filled blisters on your body (you can find blisters in various stages over the body)
The blisters remain contagious till it crusts over

Seborrheic Eczema

Seborrheic eczema can cause bumps with red color on your skin. The exact reason for the skin disorder remains unclear. But, the doctor associates two major factors that can contribute to the problem. One is the overproduction of oil by your skin. When your skin produces excess oil, it acts as an irritant. So, it makes your skin feel greasy and becomes red in color. Another factor triggering the problem is Malassezia. It is the type of fungus you can find naturally in the skin’s oils. At times, the fungus can grow abnormally, resulting in excess secretion of oil from the skin. Therefore, the overproduction of oil can result in seborrheic eczema.

Symptoms Of Seborrheic Eczema

If you have seborrheic eczema, you can see the following signs or symptoms on your skin:

Scaly white or yellow patches that flake off
Red bumps that look greasy or oily
Severe Itching
Loss of hair in the area where the rash occurs

Ringworm

It is not a worm but a skin condition caused due to fungal infection. The name of the skin disorder comes from the shape of the bumps. It resembles like ringworm. So, you can see a rash formation that looks like a ring. The raised bumps on your skin have a scaly border, which snakes at the edge like a worm.

Symptoms Of Ringworm

Itchy rash
Rashes having a circular shape with a raised border
The skin in the middle of the ring-shaped rash looks healthy and clear
The edges of the rash spread outwards

Diagnosing The Red Itchy Bumps On The Skin

To understand the exact skin problem causing the red itchy bumps on your skin, you need professional assistance. So, get an appointment with your dermatologist to understand the exact skin issue troubling you. Your doctor can perform a wide variety of tests on your skin to detect the problem precisely. Therefore, the tests can reveal the infections due to virus, fungus, or bacteria. With professional help, you can also determine the underlying allergies leading to the problem. The different skin tests can also detect malignant or cancerous growth on your skin. Therefore, based on the tests, you can get proper treatment and avoid further complications. The following tests can detect the problem properly:

Black Light Test

Your dermatologist can determine the fungal growth, triggering the red bumps and itching skin with the black light test. It is particularly effective to diagnose ringworm as the black light can reveal the fungal presence. The fungal growth can glow under black light. The bright glow in the affected area confirms the infection. So, your doctor confirms the fungal infection with the test.

Culture Test

If your dermatologist finds it difficult to detect the actual cause of the infection, then the culture test can shed light. The culture test can detect the microorganism causing the skin infection. It detects the virus, fungus or bacteria triggering the red itchy bumps on the skin. In most cases, your doctor takes the sample of the skin scrapings, the content of the pus inside the bumps/blisters, hair or nails detect the problem. The lab cultures the content to detect the infection precisely.

Patch Testing

The patch testing is an effective method to diagnose the different skin allergies making your skin red an itchy. Your doctor uses the identified allergens to your skin on your back with adhesive patches. The allergens are the substances that cause allergies in people. So, the patch that left for a period of time can reveal any reaction. Depending on the visible reaction, your dermatologist can come to a conclusion.

Skin Biopsy

A skin biopsy can diagnose skin cancer or different benign skin disorders thoroughly. It can evaluate the problem to determine the root issue triggering the problem. During the biopsy, your doctor removes a piece of affected skin after the application of an anesthetic. The skin sample analyzed in the laboratory can offer comprehensive analysis. In most cases, a punch biopsy tool helps with the sample extraction. If a large sample is required, your doctor uses a scalpel to extract it. It may even need stitches to close the wound.

Treatment Options For Red Itchy Bumps On The Skin

Depending on the root cause triggering the problem, your dermatologist suggests treatment options. In most cases, you need to apply creams or lotions on your skin depending on the problem. It can help ease the itching and discomfort associated with the bumps on your skin. The creams and lotions containing varying agents focus on the main problem. The topical creams or gels may contain the following elements to offer healing:

Cleansing Agents

Your doctor suggests creams or liquid that contains cleansing agents. The cleansing agents have the capability to dissolve the impurities from the skin. It flushes the impurities and dead skin cells from your body. Your dermatologist suggests using cleansing agents that do not dry skin. The skin dryness can worsen the itching. So, you need cleansing agents with a creamy base that makes your skin less drying.

Protective Agents

You have different kinds of preparation available to protect the skin. Your doctor can prescribe the oils or ointments that can protect the irritated or scraped the skin. The oil-based barrier offered by the ointments can retain the moisture and protect your skin from further damage. It can also help you alleviate the discomfort due to red itchy bumps on the skin.

Moisturizing Agents

The dryness of your skin can increase the itchy feeling. Therefore, you need to apply emollients (moisturizers) to retain the oils and water in the skin. You have to apply the moisturizer immediately after taking the shower to enhance. It is due to the fact that the already moist skin can absorb the moisturizer.

Anti-Itch Agents

The bumps that cause itching sensation requires medications that contain zinc oxide, menthol, pramoxine or camphor to reduce it. So, you need to take the medication containing the anti-itch agents to avoid the mild pain and itching associated with the red bumps on your skin.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Corticosteroids are the drugs that can control the inflammation and swell on your skin. You can find the corticosteroids in topical drugs provided for the different skin infections. It reduces redness, swelling, and itching sensation. Your doctor can prescribe it for your allergic rashes, an inflammatory reaction to allergens, eczema or other skin problems. It is the most effective medication for various skin ailments that can alleviate the red itchy bumps on the skin. But, remember it is not a good option to cure acne, fungal or bacterial infection. Corticosteroids have low resistance to such types of infections.

Home Remedies For Red Itchy Bumps On The Skin

While some skin disorders require medical attention, others heal with just some effective home remedies. You can follow the remedies even to get relief from the severe itching. You can implement the steps while getting treatment. It prevents the further itching sensation that can increase the irritation. Skin irritation can lead to infection. Therefore, you must restrict yourself from the urge to scratch the bumps. Consult your dermatologist before opting the remedy to ensure it offers you relief. The following tips can help you prevent the itching:

Cold Compress

The cold compress on the red itchy bumps on the skin can reduce the urge to itch. You can apply an ice pack or a cold, wet cloth on the bumps. Place it for at least ten minutes or till you lose the urge to itch.

Lukewarm Water For Bathing

Bathing with hot water can strip your skin of the moisture and oil content. It can become worse when you have red itchy bumps on the skin. Therefore, use lukewarm for taking a shower. Limit your bath or shower for just ten minutes. Staying in the water for too long can increase the itching sensation.

Oatmeal Bath

You can take an oatmeal bath to soothe your skin. It can offer you relief from the itching and redness of the bumps due to blisters, hives, allergies, or even chickenpox.

Fragrance-Free Moisturizers

When you use moisturizer, make sure you choose one that is free of fragrances, perfumes, additives, etc. the chemical in the lotion can irritate your skin and make your bumps worse. Therefore, to minimize the irritation, use fragrance-free products. Choose products that are free of chemicals, additives, or perfumes.

Use Cooling Agents

You need to apply cooling agents on your skin to get relief. Use products like calamine or menthol to achieve cooling effects. If you are using a moisturizer prescribed by the doctor, then keep it in the refrigerator. It helps achieve the cooling effect on your skin.

Apply Medication First

If you use the medication suggested by the doctor, then apply it first. You can use the moisturizer after applying the medication. It is necessary to use the prescribed medicine first, then a moisturizer to help absorption. Keep your skin moist by applying the moisturizer on all areas of your skin.

Wear Comfortable Clothes

When you have skin problems, you need to wear comfortable clothes that do not make your bumps worse. Opt for loose-fitting clothes that encourage air circulation. Select comfortable fabrics like cotton that offers breathability. Avoid the rough fabrics as they can worsen the itching.

Avoid Extreme Change Of Temperature

Extreme temperature changes can worsen skin problems. Therefore, try to maintain a neutral environment in your home. Make it cool with neutral humidity to avoid skin irritation. So, use a humidifier in the winter season to avoid dry skin as well as eczema.

Reduce Stress

Stress is a negative emotion that can cause adverse effects on your body. Therefore, you need to control the stress in your life. Stressing too much can only make you nervous and worsen the urge to itch. So, adopt some relaxation techniques to calm your mind. It will help you deal with the problem easily.

Conclusion

The red itchy bumps on the skin can occur due to a long-term or short-term condition. You need to cope with the condition by getting medical help. With proper care and home care remedies, you can manage the skin disorder. You need to find the perfect skincare routine that will help you minimize the impact of the skin condition. So, with proper care, you can alleviate the condition or manage the symptoms without making it worse.

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