Bumps on Legs
- Bumps on legs are caused by a variety of skin disorders or conditions.
- Most often times, these bumps appear either on the surface of the skin on the legs or below the skin.
- Some of the bumps that appear on the legs do not need treatment and often go away in time.There are also those that are considered harmless but needs to be removed to prevent future complications.
Bumps in Legs and Arms
There are a couple of skin conditions that allows bumps to appear in both legs and arms, below are some of the common ones.
- Skin Cysts. Characterized by tissue pockets that are filled with fluid like substances and feels like peas.
- Lipomas. These are subcutaneous nodules of the soft tissues.
- Cherry Angioma. Characteristics of the bumps that are brought about by this skin condition include having a bright red color and smooth surface.
- Neurofibromas. The bumps here are more like fleshy growths that are soft.
- Dermatofibromas. This skin condition can cause red-brownish bumps that have round shapes.
- Keratosis Pilaris. This is often described as chicken skin since the bumps resemble skin of a dressed chicken.
- Epidermoid Cysts. These cysts are also known as sebaceous cysts that are characterized by round dome –shaped bump that has a dark portion on top. It is usually the dark portion that can be seen on top of the skin.
- Keratoacanthoma. The bumps here usually grow in a rapid rate and take a dome shape. It is colored red and has craters or holes on top.
- Folliculitis. The bumps here look more like papules that have a central hair.
Causes and Treatments for Bumps on Legs and Arms
Most of skin conditions have no known primary cause and is usually attributed to genetics. There are also those that are mainly caused by malfunctioning of the sebaceous or oil glands and bacterial infection. Most also do not need treatment and would go away in time.
- Skin Cysts. These do not need treatment but those that are infected would need piercing and surgery.
- Lipomas. These can be left untreated but can also be removed through excision or manually squeezing it out from a small incision.
- Cherry Angioma. Lasers and electrocautery can effectively remove the bump-like symptoms of this condition.
- Neurofibromas. Surgery can be used when the bumps are affecting nerves, otherwise, it can be left alone.
- Dermatofibromas. Surgery and freezing with the use of liquid nitrogen or cryotherapy can remove the bumps.
- Keratosis Pilaris. Treatment includes application of prescribed creams that contain urea. Exfoliating and moisturizing the skin can also help
- Epidermoid Cysts. The sac of the cyst should be removed by an incision. Antibiotics are also given for cysts that get infected.
- Keratoacanthoma. The bumps here can be removed through cryotherapy, surgery, curettage, and injections that contain cancer drugs.
- Folliculitis. Treatment options include topical and oral antibiotics and anti-fungal creams.