Reasons for Small Bumps on Elbows and Treatment Options
Pimples on your elbow may be caused by acne, bacteria, auto-immune disease and more
Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD
Pimple-like bumps on elbows can be white, brown, red, or skin-colored. Usually, they are caused by something acute (short-term), like acne or an ingrown hair. But they can also be related to a chronic condition, like eczema or psoriasis.
If the bump on your elbow is acne, an over-the-counter treatment like topical benzoyl peroxide should help. If the bump is inflamed or itchy, your provider may suggest a hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching and irritation. It is always a good idea to have unusual bumps on your skin evaluated by a dermatologist, especially if they are painful, appear infected, or won't go away.
This article details the most frequent causes of pimples and bumps on elbows. It also covers treatment options, and explains when to see a healthcare provider.
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Causes
Bumps on elbows are usually harmless. Many go away on their own, while some bumps are caused by a chronic condition that requires treatment. Regardless of the cause, take care to never pick, rub, or squeeze bumps on your skin, as this will only make them worse.
Acne
Acne is a skin condition that causes pimples. When a pimple appears, the hair follicles that are located under the skin are clogged. Pimples can form on most places of the body, including the neck, back, face, shoulders, and elbows.
Acne can affect people of all ages, but it is more common in teenagers. Acne can be caused by:
Hormone changes
Greasy hair or skin products
Heavy sweating or humidity
Excessively touching the skin
Certain drugs, including steroids and progestin-only birth control
Although stress and diet are not known to cause acne, they can make it worse.
Keratosis Pilaris
Keratosis pilaris, also known as “chicken skin,” is marked by small and painless bumps on the skin. The bumps vary in color, such as white, brown, red, or skin-colored. It can appear on the upper arms and may extend to the elbow. Other common sites include the cheeks, thighs, and buttocks.
The bumpy skin is usually painless, rough, and dry. Keratosis pilaris usually gets better on its own.
Boils
A boil is a sore lump deep in the skin caused by bacteria forming an abscess. It may start small, looking like a pimple, and grow in size. Boils are known to be painful to the touch.
If left unbothered, it should break down on its own over time. Boils should not be squeezed or picked at, as this may spread the infection. In some cases, a doctor may be needed to drain the boil.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is inflammation or infection of the hair follicles. It can show up anywhere on the skin where there are hair follicles, including the elbow. It occurs when the hair follicles are damaged. It may not have symptoms, or the skin may feel itchy or painful.
Ingrown Hair
An ingrown hair is inflammation due to a hair curling as it is growing and then penetrating the skin with the hair tip. It is more common in people who have curly hair, but it can happen to anyone. It is more common on the face and groin but could happen on the elbow.
When an ingrown hair occurs, there is redness, the area is inflamed, and pus may form. Symptoms may vary, depending on the person. Ingrown hairs can be similar to other skin conditions, so speak with a healthcare professional to get the right diagnosis.
Warts
Warts are small, round growths on the surface of the skin that develop when the skin is exposed to human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts rarely grow larger than the size of a pencil eraser and may be light grey, skin-colored, yellow, brown, or grey-black. They are typically painless.
You can contract HPV by coming in skin-to-skin contact with a person who has warts, or by touching a surface that was previously touched by a person with warts. Common warts often develop on the elbows, hands, fingers, and knees.
In most cases, warts disappear within a year or two. However, there are more than 150 strains of HPV, some of which can stay dormant in the body for years. This means it is possible for a wart to disappear, and then re-emerge months or even years later.
Eczema
Eczema causes itchy, dry skin and rashes. Also called dermatitis, this condition typically appears on the face, behind the knees, and on the elbows, hands, and feet. Eczema is not contagious.
Babies and children typically get a type of eczema called atopic dermatitis. Adults can get it too. There are other common types of eczema as well. Although the cause is unknown, environmental and genetic factors are known to play a role.
This condition can improve over time or get worse. Speak with a healthcare professional for diagnosis and a plan to manage symptoms.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects the knees, elbows, back, face, palms, scalp, and other parts of the body. Psoriasis causes sore patches of thick, discolored skin with silvery scales.
Individuals with psoriasis are known to have issues with the immune system. Depending on the severity, lifestyle habits, and person, psoriasis can come and go. This condition can look like several skin diseases.
It is important to speak with a healthcare professional so they can give a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), also known as Duhring's disease, is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition triggered by exposure to gluten. DH most commonly begins after age 20 in people with celiac disease.
People with DH develop an itchy, blistering, burning rash after eating gluten. This rash is often mistaken for eczema and typically develops on the elbows, forearms, knees, and buttocks. DH tends to develop suddenly and may last for weeks or months, or until gluten is completely removed from the diet.
Related: Managing Dermatitis Herpetiformis With the Gluten-Free Diet
Vitamin A Deficiency
Your skin needs vitamin A to stay healthy, but because your body does not produce it naturally, you need to get it through your diet. If you have a vitamin A deficiency, you can develop phrynoderma. Also known as "toad skin," phrynoderma is characterized by patches of rough, dry skin with small, skin-colored papules. These papules commonly form on the elbows and knees.
Vitamin A deficiency is rare. When it happens, it needs to be treated, as it can lead to blindness and even death. If you develop signs of phrynoderma and/or vision problems, see a healthcare provider right away.
Lichen Nitidus
Lichen nitidus is a skin condition marked by clusters of tiny, skin-colored papules. These papules can appear anywhere on the skin, but tend to pop up on the arms, legs, and torso. Lichen nitidus is typically seen in children and young adults.
The condition is harmless and resolves on its own. It is not painful, although in rare cases it may itch. The exact cause of lichen nitidus is unknown, although it often develops on skin areas where there was a previous injury.
Takeaway
It's not common, but skin cancer could also appear as a bump on the elbow.
Treatment
While popping a pimple is the first instinct for some, it is important to let it run its course and use proper treatments to help the pimple go away. Popping a pimple can cause infection and scarring. There are over-the-counter treatments, medication, and home remedies that can help.
Home Remedies
A warm compress may help open the pores and allow the pimple to drain naturally.
There are a number of home remedies and essential oils that can help ease pimples on the elbow. They include:
Green tea
Aloe vera
Cinnamon
Lavender
Mint
Tea tree oil
Rosemary
Over-the-Counter Treatments
Acne treatments that you can apply to the skin for pimples include:
Benzoyl peroxide
Salicylic acid
Alpha hydroxy acids
Sulfur
For eczema and some other conditions, hydrocortisone cream may be used.
Medication
Depending on whether your elbow pimple is due to acne or another condition, your healthcare professional may prescribe medication. Prescription acne treatments may include:
Lifestyle Changes
If you have a pimple on your elbow, it is important to keep the area clean. A healthcare professional can give the proper suggestions regarding specified treatment depending on the condition. The proper way to clean and treat the area depends on the diagnosis. It is important to keep the area clean, use clean washcloths, and be gentle.
Some conditions can be aggravated by the environment, diet, and/or stress. It is important to be mindful of what makes symptoms better or worse. Speak with a healthcare professional to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you have a pimple on your elbow and it does not bother you, allow it to run its course. If it increases in size or has pus in it, call your doctor to be on the safe side. Depending on the skin condition, it could be another issue.
There are some skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, that need additional treatment. Depending on the severity, the doctor can determine the type of treatment needed. It is important to follow the doctor's plan and treatment recommendations for certain skin conditions.
It is important to see a doctor if you have any questions or concerns about the pimple. If your pimple is bleeding, infected, warm, or painful, or if there is an unusual amount of discharge coming from it, call a healthcare provider.
Summary
A pimple could appear on your elbow due to acne. Other conditions that may produce a pimple-like bump in the area include boils, eczema, folliculitis, and psoriasis. A normal pimple will go away on its own. If you see a bump that concerns you, don’t hesitate to call your healthcare provider. It could need professional treatment, or indicate a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis that can be managed with medication.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
