Medically reviewed by Minimalist Health Specialist -  Written by Akruti Khandkar (Journalist)  on 13th Oct 2020

Worried about bumpy skin? You aren't alone

Worried about bumpy skin

What are skin bumps?  

Bumpy skin is any zone of abnormally raised skin, either on the skin's surface or under the skin.  

How are these caused?

It can occur from various conditions, including allergic reactions, infections, skin issues, skin disease, etc.

Skin bumps generate with more recurrence as we age and are bound to show up in territories with continuous sweat organs, for example, the face, armpits, and chest.

Bumps might be different in appearance. It can be stiff and unbending or delicate and moveable and can occur due to swelling.  

Note:

Although skin bumps usually don't point towards an underlying medical condition, they should be checked by a specialist to screen for harm if you feel any discomfort.  

How about we know something about your elevated skin bumps in detail? 

Note:

It's important to know that this article is only an overall layout of types, causes, and certain skin conditions—minimalist always advice to consistently talk with your doctor to get a proper diagnosis. 

Whether you experience certain conditions mentioned below or not, it's still a safe plan to have a regular skin check-up. Sometimes, a doctor can assist you with monitoring your skin's well-being and might find any skin bumps that are unnoticed. 

Types of skin bumps 

Various skin conditions can cause bumpy skin to show up. Several common skin growth conditions like acne, skin tags, seborrheic Keratosis, cysts, milia, lipomas, sebaceous hyperplasia, angiomas, and dermatofibroma.  

Did you know:

Goosebumps are little bumps that help hold a layer of warm air over our body. 

1. Skin tags

These hang off the skin by a slim tail. They are generally tissue hued or earthy, and the most widely recognized areas are close to the eyes, neck, armpits, and groin. They are benign skin bumps, and almost half of the adults have one of these, impartial of any age or gender. As per AOCD, friction or irritation to the skin, as occurs rubbing the skin, can cause their formation.  

2. Angiomas

These are gatherings of little blood vessels on the skin's surface. At times blood from dilated blood vessels can pool underneath an angioma. There are three principal sorts of angiomas:

Cherry angiomas can grow anyplace on the skin, particularly chest area zones. They're of blunt red or maroon-shaded and look like moles. If harmed, it can bleed. 

Venous lakes develop on the lips and ears. They are a blue or purple-hued gathering of little veins and a generally a familiar round blob in older people with long haul sun exposure.

Spider angiomas are meager, a web of curvy blood from a middle red dab. They can happen at any age, and for the most part, on the face and chest. They're more normal during pregnancy while taking estrogen pills or contraceptive pills and individuals with liver disease.  

3. Skin Cysts  

Cysts are noncancerous, shut pockets of tissue packed up with pus, fluid, or other liquids. They are very common and can give a glimpse of a large pea. Cysts can be an outcome of inflammation, clogged-up sebaceous glands, or around pierced bodies.

4. Keratosis Pilaris  

Keratosis pilaris (generally called KP) shows up as "chicken skin bumps" on the skin. These bumpy skin textures typically show up on the upper arms and thighs. They likewise can show up on the cheeks, back, and bottom. As stated by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), these elevated skin bumps are just "plugs of dead skin cells" and happen due to keratin's build-up. These skin bumps can affect any age or sex.  

5. Lipomas  

Lipomas are subcutaneous delicate tissue tumors that generally are slow-developing and are not dangerous. They have a soft, rubbery consistency. Lipomas will usually occur on shoulders, neck, or trunk; however, they can show up somewhere else on the body. This skin bump can develop at any age but are common in the period between 40-60.  

6. Epidermoid Cysts  

Epidermoid cysts, likewise called sebaceous cysts or skin blisters, are benign skin cysts shaped by an outpouching from the hair follicle. Usually, epidermoid cysts are found on the privates, chest, and back; in any case, they can also happen in different skin zones.  

7. Dermatofibromas

Dermatofibromas are innocuous round, red-brownish skin blobs that are times found on grown-ups' arms and legs. Dermatofibromas consist of scar tissue and feel like hard bumps on the skin.

At times dermatofibromas show up after injury, similar to a bug bite or after knocking your arm or leg.  

8. Folliculitis

Folliculitis is an outcome of the hair follicles. It's caused due to infected hair follicles by physical or chemical inflammation and can increase in number and incorporate the face, thighs, and scalp.

Folliculitis is more familiar in individuals who are fat or have diabetes or have undermined the immune system. 

9. Keratoacanthoma  

A keratoacanthoma happens when cells in a hair follicle don't develop naturally. A minor skin injury might set off the development in a territory that recently had endured sun harm. Bright radiation from sun presentation is the most significant danger factor in keratoacanthomas.

For the most part, a keratoacanthoma will show up on sun-exposed skin as a thick development with a focal crusted plug.

Keratoacanthomas are very common in individuals who are beyond age 60, and they are viewed as a second rate of skin cancer.  

10. Neurofibromas  

Neurofibromas are delicate, meaty developments on or under the skin, rarely even profound within the body. These are harmless tumors; in any case, they can turn dangerous or carcinogenic in uncommon instances.

Individuals with neurofibromas don't show any specific symptoms; however, irritation, mild itchiness, pain, or tingling sensation, can occur. According to The National Center for Biotechnology (Biotech) Information, these localized bumps usually happen between the age of 20-40  

Some Symptoms May Require Immediate Attention

Some less common, elevated skin bumps are brought about by more natural conditions that require immediate treatment. Certain bacterial and viral diseases cause spots and will possibly go worse if they are untreated or undiagnosed.  

Some of these severe conditions include:

• Chickenpox:

A typical youth infection portrayed by red, irritated skin bumps that structure everywhere on over the body

• Impetigo: 

 A bacterial skin infection regular in young ones that is exceptionally contagious and develop red blisters that overflow and build up a brownish crust 

• MRSA (staph infection): 

 A disease set off by a staph bacterium that ordinarily lives on the skin, causing a swollen, hot, and agonizing bump with fluid. 

• Scabies: 

 A skin inflammation brought by a little mite called Sarcoptes scabiei, delivering a bothersome, pimple-like rash  

Other different conditions of bumpy skin can be caused by skin cancer. We have mentioned a few types of skin cancer, all requiring clinical administration and treatment:  

• Basal cell carcinoma

It is a type of malignancy that influences the top layer of skin. It produces hard skin bumps that seep in the beginning phases. The related knocks show up on sun-uncovered skin and might be stained, glossy, or scar-like.  

• Squamous cell carcinoma

It is a sort of skin malignant growth that starts in the squamous cells. These cells make up the peripheral layer of skin. The condition causes flaky, red fixes, and raised wounds to create on the skin. These abnormal developments regularly structure in regions presented to bright radiation.  

• Actinic Keratosis

It is a precancerous skin condition portrayed by textured, hard spots on sun-exposed skin regions, for example, hands, arms, or face. As per AAD, Actinic Keratosis happens when the skin has been severely damaged by UV light, so you'll likely continue to get new AKs. These spots are commonly earthy colored, dark, or pink. The influenced zone may burn or tingle.

• Melanoma

It is the least common but severe type of skin malignancy. It starts as a mole. Carcinogenic moles are regularly lopsided, multi-hued, and enormous, with sporadic fringes and can show up anywhere on the human body. 

Interesting fact-

As stated by AAD, sun protection can benefit your precancerous skin growth at large. It offers two significant benefits- saving it from causing further damage and giving it a chance to repair from the injury. So, use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.  

Treatment and Medication Options for Skin bumps  

The treatment for a skin injury or bump relies upon the condition.

Treatment for a skin injury may incorporate oral corticosteroid drugs, skin meds, laser treatment, freezing the spot, or any other medical procedure.

Bumpy skin caused by injury fades away naturally as the swelling goes down.

Applying an ice pack and lifting the region can lessen the irritation and torment.

Your doctor may endorse skin medications to kill skin break out moles, bumps, and rashes.

Topical skin treatments and creams may contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

If your skin is inclined to keratosis pilaris and doesn't react well to salicylic corrosive, you can utilize an AHA exfoliant or substitute AHA and BHA items. While AHA is extraordinary for eliminating dead skin cells, it can't enter the pore.

To lessen the skin's bumpiness: To reduce the skin bump and improve your skin's surface, dermatologists regularly suggest peeling (eliminating dead skin cells from the outside of your skin).

For example/instance, if there should arise Keratosis pilaris, as Dr. Sandra Lee, an American dermatologist, proposes can be treated with keratolytic operators and topical retinoids.

To treat the bumpy skin, a few patients may need to apply a corticosteroid to the territories with keratosis pilaris. This medication mollifies the bumps and lessens the redness, Dr. Lee adds.

Medication that can help regularly contains one of the accompanying exfoliants of AHA's and BHA's:  

The medication you use to peel your skin may likewise contain a cream, which can help with the itch and dryness. 

Note:

Don't try anything without consulting your doctor as it may worsen your condition. 

Minimalist's Outlook: 

You do not need to get anxious every time you see bumpy skin. These aren't severe most of the time, but it's always best to get it checked.

Clogged glands, infections, and hormonal changes would all be able to cause noncancerous bumps under the skin. Generally, treatment is just essential if the irregularity is troubling you.

You are advised to go to a specialist whenever you're worried about a bump on your skin. Your doctor can assess the spot and ensure it is anything but a side effect of a nearly natural condition.