Red Bumps on Face

The term 'rash' refers to an eruption of the skin that is characterized by changes in the color and texture of the skin. Rashes could be macular, papular, or maculopapular. While macular rashes are flat, papular rashes are characterized by bumps or raised areas on the skin.

Maculopapular rashes are characterized by a flat, reddened area of the skin that is covered with bumps. The development of red, raised spots on the skin could be a sign of an allergic reaction, contact dermatitis, or infections caused by pathogens. The affected skin may appear to be red, crusty, itchy, or scaly.

Skin eruptions could be generalized or localized. While rashes could appear on any part of the body, the ones that appear on the face are often a cause of cosmetic concern. Medical help must be sought to treat the underlying cause at the earliest, as these rashes may sometimes leave behind scars in the absence of treatment.

There are several skin conditions that could be responsible for the development of red bumps on the face. These include:

Allergic Reaction
An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system mistakes a harmless substance to be a threat, and reacts by releasing antibodies, which in turn is followed by the release of histamines from the cutaneous mast cells into the bloodstream. The release of histamines is responsible for triggering inflammation.

The substance that triggers such a reaction is known as the allergen. Formation of red bumps on skin is one of the noticeable signs of an allergic reaction. Contact with natural rubber, hair dyes, costume jewelry, nickel, cosmetic products, and poison ivy can cause an allergic reaction.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis
The term 'dermatitis' refers to inflammation of the skin. Irritant contact dermatitis is a skin condition that is characterized by inflammation of the skin due to direct contact with a substance.

Direct contact with harsh chemicals present in soaps, perfumes, shower gels, fabric softeners, adhesives, detergents, solvents, etc. can lead to the development of red bumps on the skin. Other symptoms that may be experienced include redness, blistering, or scaling of the skin.

The severity of the symptoms would vary, depending on the nature of the irritant, and the duration for which the skin remains in contact with it.

Acne
Acne is a skin condition that is characterized by the development of comedones (blackheads, whiteheads), papules, pustules, or cysts. Excessive production of sebum, which is an oily substance that is secreted by the sebaceous glands, is considered to be one of the main contributing factors for acne.

The skin pores connect to the sebaceous glands through the hair follicle, which contains the root of the hair. Sebum and dead skin cells travel up through the follicle, and exit through the skin pore. Acne occurs when sebum and dead skin cells clump together, thereby clogging the hair follicle.

Inflammation can occur when bacteria infect the follicle. Such an infection could lead to pimples or acne, which may appear as red bumps.

Inflammatory Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that is characterized by facial redness and the development of pustules. The redness is due to the dilation of the superficial blood vessels near the surface of the skin.

The exact cause of this inflammatory skin condition is not known. It is believed that rosacea may worsen due to excessive consumption of spicy food and alcohol. Stress and exposure to sunlight may also aggravate the symptoms.

Folliculitis
Folliculitis refers to the inflammation or infection of hair follicles, which are tiny pockets that contain the root of hair. This condition can affect any part of the body that has hair. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria is often the causative organism for folliculitis.

In case of men, the hair follicles on the face can get damaged while shaving off the facial hair. Tiny, pus-filled bumps can form at the base of a hair.

Besides the aforementioned conditions, bumps on the face could be caused by Tinea faciei (ringworm of the face) or insect bites.

Pustules or red bumps on the face could be caused by a wide range of reasons. The treatment would therefore vary, depending on the underlying cause.

Here are some of the treatment options and self-care measures that may prove beneficial.

➞ Antihistamines are often prescribed if an allergic reaction is the reason behind the development of bumps. In severe cases, wherein the exposure to an allergen causes a life-threatening reaction (anaphylaxis), epinephrine (adrenaline) is administered.

➞ The treatment of irritant contact dermatitis involves the topical application of emollients and corticosteroids. At times, antibiotics may also be prescribed to prevent a secondary infection.

➞ Though there is no cure for rosacea, its symptoms can be managed by topical application of metronidazole, azelaic acid, and antibiotic creams.

➞ Men who often develop ingrown hair or razor burn folliculitis on the face may benefit by shaving in the direction of hair growth and using antibacterial benzoyl peroxide shaving gels.

Using an electric razor will also help. In case, the hair follicles get infected with Staphylococcus aureus, the use of oral antibiotics or topical application of antibiotics may be suggested.

➞ People with acne-prone skin must keep their skin exfoliated, and refrain from using oil-based cosmetic products. The use of products that contain benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid may also prove beneficial.

The high incidence of skin problems in people of all age groups is due to the fact that the skin is exposed to the irritants, allergens, and pathogens present in the environment. While avoidance of these irritants and disease-causing agents is essential, medical help must be sought if the skin gets affected.

Taking the prescribed drugs and following skin care measures can certainly help in treating the underlying condition. Rashes, bumps, or any such changes in the appearance and texture of the skin would resolve once the treatment is administered. Following a proper skin regimen will also go a long way in keeping the skin healthy and youthful.

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.