Bumpy Skin

A bumpy skin on the face or the arms is as embarrassing as receiving a rejected job proposal from a top MNC company. Isn't it? A rash that causes small bumps to appear on the skin attracts a lot of unfriendly stares. Fortunately, bumpy skin is not a cause for concern, as in most cases, the skin problem vanishes with prescription medications.

Causes

Cysts is yet another medical problem that makes the skin bumpy. These elevated structures generally contain fluid or pus. These cysts are often the result of inflamed hair follicles. Although these hair follicles lie below the skin, any condition that causes harm to these tubular sacs leads to formation of small bumps on the skin.

When the hair follicles become inflamed, the condition that leads to bumpy facial skin is described as folliculitis. A hair follicle is a tubular cavity beneath the outermost layer of the skin. The hair strands emerge from these tubular cavities. The swelling of the hair follicles, manifests as a bumpy skin rash.

The bumpy, itchy rash typically appears in the areas, where the hair follicles have become inflamed. Bacteria invading the hair follicles, and use of inappropriate creams for shaving, are one of the main causes of folliculitis. The face, thighs, and the scalp are the most common sites that show development of folliculitis.

Rough, acne like bumps develop in people diagnosed with keratosis pilaris. Although, these small bumps can occur anywhere on the body, they normally affect the upper arm and the thighs. As we all know, keratin is a type of protein that is produced within the skin.

The production of keratin in sufficient amounts is essential to maintain skin strength. Overall, skin health deteriorates when keratin production decreases substantially.

Now, what is keratosis pilaris? This is a skin problem wherein, too much keratin is being produced. As a result, there is built up of keratin around the hair follicles (pouch like structures, found just below the skin from where the hair actually grow).

The accumulated protein, surrounding the hair follicles, eventually becomes hard and appear as small bumps on the superficial skin. Unlike eczema, these rough elevated patches do not cause any itchiness. However, in some cases, these bumps do cause irritation and become red. Skin bumps on arms and legs is often the result of keratosis pilaris.

Treatment will begin after identifying the underlying skin condition. Unfortunately, the prospects of cure for keratosis pilaris are not very encouraging. However, quite a few prescription medications have been formulated to significantly reduce the appearance of accumulated keratin deposits.

Topical medications like Keralac and Lac - Hydrin, typically, act as moisturizers and help to soften these small bumps. Topical corticosteroids reduce the production of keratin, thereby helping to improve the skin condition.

On the other hand, skin conditions like cysts, do not require any treatment and go away on their own without any medical intervention. Rarely, the doctors prescribe cortisone medicines to get rid of cysts.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this story is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.