Bumps on Elbows (Itchy)

The elbow is one of the body parts that need special attention. Women, in particular, do everything to keep their elbows smooth and bump free. Unfortunately, some people notice bumps on their elbows along with other impurities.

In this article, we are going to discuss the different kinds of elbow bumps and the possible causes. ^{(1, 2)}

Image 1: Itchy small bumps on the elbows.
Picture Source: healthh.com

Picture 2: Itchy reddish bumps on the elbows of what seem to be filled with fluid.
Photo Source: treatmd.org

Bumps on elbows of viral origin

If you are infected with a virus, chances are you will have a fever and inflammatory responses, which are usually in the forms of rashes, bumps, and blisters. They can be found in different parts of the body including the elbows. Bumps on the elbows of viral original go away on their own in a few days. ^{(1, 2, 3)}

White bumps on the elbows

Had you noticed white bumps on your elbows? If yes, then there are reasons why such as shingles, a viral disease that belongs to the same strand that causes chickenpox. If the shingles subside, there are instances when a bit of the strain of virus remains in the body leading to non-itchy white bumps on the elbows and other parts of the body. ^{(3, 4)}

Rashes on the elbows

What causes a rash on elbows? There are many reasons why rashes could appear on your elbows and the common reasons are the following:

• Psoriasis – dry skin accumulates in different parts of the body including the elbows. Classic manifestations include bumps on the elbows and red scaly patches. If you have psoriasis, you have to do everything to keep your skin moisturized. Apply a moisturizer several times a day.
• Atopic dermatitis – it is a hereditary skin condition commonly seen in children. It is linked to a certain type of allergies such as food allergy, cosmetics, detergents, and the likes. ^{(3, 4, 5, 6)}

Bumps on the elbows (non-itchy)

Photo 3: Olecranon bursitis on the elbow.
Image Source: upload.wikimedia.org

Image 4: A Lyme disease on the patient’s elbow.
Picture Source: www.lymedisease.org

You could notice a bump on your elbow that is not itchy and you might be wondering what could be the possible cause. Depending on the characteristics of the bump, the following could be the culprit:

• Cyst – If you notice a sac-like growth on your elbow, then that might be a cyst. It could contain a gaseous substances, a liquid, or a semi-solid substance. The size varies too. It could be a tiny cyst to a large cyst. In most instances, the cyst is nothing to worry about but it has to be drained and surgically removed.
• Granuloma annulare/necrotic papulosis – If you notice a circular-shaped ring and a reddish non-itchy bump on your elbows, then that might be a granuloma annulare. It commonly affects children and young adults, although, the prevalence is higher in girls than boys. The exact cause is unknown and treatment is not really required as the bumps go away on its own for a few weeks to months.
• Lyme disease – It is caused by a tick bite. Once you are bitten by a tick, you will notice small red bumps after a few hours or day. As time passes by, the bump gets bigger and resembles a bull’s eye pattern. There is a possibility that the infection will spread to the surrounding areas, which is why it is important to take antibiotics to get rid of the infection the soonest time possible. ^{(4, 5, 6, 7, 8)}

Bumps on the elbows (itchy)

• Dermatitis herpetiformis – it is one of the common reasons for itchy bumps on the elbows. Typical characteristics include fluid-filled bumps and blisters. It has extremely itchy that it has to be treated with anti-pruritic and anti-inflammatory cream.
• Scabies – It is a severely itchy skin condition caused by tiny mites. It burrows itself in your skin and the next thing you notice, you have rashes on your skin. You need to be extremely careful when dealing with people with scabies as it is a highly contagious skin condition.
• Allergic reaction – Itchy bumps on the elbows and other parts of the body could be an indication that you are experiencing an allergic reaction. It could be triggered by exposure to poison ivy, poison sumac, or oak plant. The severity of the bumps and itching vary depending on the level of exposure to the plant. It is treated with anti-itch medication and anti-histamine.
• Olecranon bursitis/Popeye elbow – It is the inflammation of the tiny fluid sac at the back of the elbow. It is caused by a sudden blow to the elbow such as in the case of injury. It can be mildly itchy, especially when infection takes place.
• Boils – A deep skin infection found on a certain spot of the body, which causes pain and mild itching. It is also unsightly and usually cause by bacteria. It should go away in just a few days. However, if the boil grows out of control, then you need to see your doctor.
• Insect bites – A bite of an insect such as mosquitoes causes bump on the skin, especially if you have a sensitive skin. Insect bites usually go away on its own but if the bite has been around for several days and does not seem to improve, then you need to consult your doctor. ^{(7, 8, 9, 10)}

Getting rid of bumps on the elbows

To get rid of the bumps on the elbows, the root cause should be determined first. If it is just dryness of the skin, then the best remedy is to keep the skin moisturized. Choose an organic-based moisturizer, especially if you have sensitive skin.

If it is caused by a virus, then there is nothing you can do about it but to wait for the virus to take its course. Just make sure you keep your body healthy so that it will take its natural course of getting rid of the virus. If it is caused by bacteria, then it has to be treated with antibiotics. ^{(2, 4, 5)}

References:

1. https://healthh.com/bumps-on-elbows/
2. https://www.wowremedies.com/bumps-on-elbows/
3. http://www.healtreatcure.org/bumps/bumps-on-elbows-small-raised-white-itchy-get-rid-fast/
4. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/dermatology/dermatitis_herpetiformis_85,P00276
5. https://www.medhelp.org/posts/Dermatology/Tiny-bumps-on-elbow/show/1368299
6. https://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/bumps-on-elbows/
7. https://www.healthline.com/health/dermatitis-herpetiformis
8. https://www.livestrong.com/article/303871-small-red-bumps-on-my-elbows/
9. https://iytmed.com/small-raised-bumps-elbows/
10. https://www.dailyhealthcures.com/skin-care/bumps-on-elbows-causes-treatment/