The appearance of lumps on the body is extremely common, but even if the symptom is not serious, it is important to treat it in the best way possible.
It is not uncommon for the appearance of red dots on the body. However, as simple as it may seem, and most of the time it is, this type of small ball, usually red, that can appear in various parts of the body can be an indication that something is wrong, possibly a reaction that needs attention.
These little bumps on the body, or as they are called in the medical community, erythematous papule lesions can be a common symptom among several skin conditions. Such as folliculitis, rosacea (check out everything about the disease here), allergies, miliaria and other inflammatory lesions.
However, as uncomfortable as these little balls are, they are usually easily treated and even prevented, with some simple everyday habits and care. For example, there are some factors that can increase the chance of these bubbles appearing, such as aggressive agents and friction with the skin. Therefore, avoiding wearing tight clothing could be a way to prevent this from happening again.
Check below the most common possibilities for the appearance of lumps on the body, as well as what to do to solve the problem.
What can cause bumps on the body?
Several factors can result in the appearance of dots on the body, the most common of which are friction with clothing, ingrown hairs, dry skin, among others. Below are the main causes of this uncomfortable symptom.
1 – Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a very common problem for many people. It is an inflammatory disease, which is the result of inflammation of the hair follicle, that is, the place where the hair comes out. This is even the most common cause of spots on the arms, groin, legs and armpits, beard area and buttocks.
In this case, they usually appear due to ingrown hairs, or thick hairs and more than one hair coming out of the same follicle. Furthermore, it can occur due to shaving and even wearing very tight clothing that causes friction on the skin and hinders hair growth.
How to deal with this case
If the cause of the spots on the body is folliculitis, the treatment is very simple.. The ideal is to exfoliate your skin frequently, and always before shaving. Additionally, avoid very tight clothing. However, if there is an infection in the area, see a doctor who will prescribe an antibiotic ointment to treat the inflammation.
2 – Keratose pilaris
Keratosis pilaris is a condition where there is an excess production of keratin by the skin. In this case, it is a genetic change, and therefore there is no cure. In this case, the dots appear mainly on the sides and back of the arms or on the butt. If not treated correctly, the balls can become inflamed and even stain the skin.
How to deal with this case
The ideal is to wear cooler clothes that let your skin breathe. Furthermore, in this case it is recommended to avoid body scrubs, which can worsen the condition. It is also recommended to use moisturizers with urea, glycolic acid or salicylic acid, which help control the production of dead cells and provide the hydration that the skin needs.
3 – Allergy
Allergies are also a very common cause of spots on the body. A skin allergy can lead to very intense itching, bumps and even the formation of crusts on the skin, which can even form wounds. The most common causes of allergies are food, animal hair, some types of fabric, cosmetics, among others.
How to deal with this case
So, if the cause of the bumps on the body is allergies, it is important to consult a doctor who will recommend the best treatment. Generally, it includes an anti-allergenic medication and washing the area that was exposed to the cause of the allergy. However, in more serious cases, it may be necessary to use injectable medications and therefore it is necessary to go to the hospital as soon as possible.
4 – Pimples or blackheads
Yes, pimples or blackheads, which look very similar to red dots. In this case, they tend to appear mainly on the face and back, and mainly affect teenagers.
How to deal with this case
The first step is basic, good hygiene in the region, combined with the use of products suitable for acne-prone skin, which aims to control the production of sebum and oil in the skin. In addition to preventing pimples from becoming larger and more inflamed. As for blackheads, avoid squeezing, as this can cause small scars.
5 – Shingles
This is an infectious disease that is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. And one of the main symptoms of Herpes zoster is the appearance of red dots on the body. They appear mainly in the chest, back and belly region. In fact, these little balls can itch and hurt a lot.
How to deal with this case
As it is an infectious disease, it is essential to consult a doctor, whether a dermatologist or an infectious disease specialist, to obtain an accurate diagnosis and then begin treatment. Therefore, the treatment is to alleviate the pain caused by the balls and mainly contain the activity of the virus, which is why the use of some antiviral will generally be indicated.
6 – Gluten intolerance
Yes, in addition to gastrointestinal symptoms, gluten intolerance can also develop symptoms such as dermatitis, and bumps can be seen on the body. In this case, they tend to itch a lot, in addition to a burning and peeling sensation in the area.
How to deal with this case
Initially, the doctor will recommend the use of creams or ointments for local use to alleviate the symptoms of the lumps. But the main treatment is dietary change, thus avoiding foods that contain gluten, consequently avoiding future crises.
In fact, check out a list of gluten-free foods to include in your diet here.
7 – Miliaria
Miliaria, popularly known as “prickly heat”, is a condition that is mainly characterized by the appearance of several red balls, normally accompanied by water and pus. They are mainly caused by friction and occlusion of the sweat glands and are more common in newborn babies, who are more covered and therefore sweat in specific regions.
How to deal with this case
So, the best solution is to wear cooler, more airy clothes. In addition to using creams with anti-inflammatory action, and thermal water to alleviate the condition as soon as possible.
8 – Eczema or dermatitis
Both conditions are inflammatory skin reactions, which are more common in sensitive people with dry skin. Furthermore, it is common for these little balls to appear on the body in winter, due to hotter baths and lack of skin hydration. In fact, these little balls tend to itch a lot, resulting in red patches that can peel.
Check out all the symptoms, types and treatments of dermatitis.
How to deal with this case
Here, the best treatment is to hydrate the skin, using emollient products to then remove the lumps from the body. However, if it gets to the point of crusting, the use of anti-inflammatories in the form of corticosteroids may be recommended.
How to prevent spots on the body?
Firstly, it is important to know the factors that cause spots on the body. However, some habits and care can help keep your skin free of these little balls.
For example, it is essential to maintain the integrity of the skin barrier, this is the first step to reducing the chances of these bubbles appearing. So, to achieve this, the ideal is to keep your skin always hydrated and protected, care that should be prioritized daily.
“In this case, the use of moisturizers without essences, without preservatives, without alcohol in the formulation and with as few active ingredients as possible are the most recommended”recommends specialist Tatiane Curi, for DermaClub.
In addition to taking care of skin hydration, another determining factor in the appearance of bubbles is friction with the skin. Therefore, it is also worth wearing looser clothes that do not cause as much friction, such as very tight jeans.
Bumps on the body and COVID-19
In addition to the most common cases of skin irritation, there is also the recently discovered symptom of COVID-19 that causes the appearance of small reddish dots across the body. These are accompanied by itching and blemishes.
This symptom is common in viral infections in general, such as measles, chicken pox, dengue fever and Zika. Now, cutaneous manifestations are also identified in coronavirus. The most common cases show red spots with dots all over the body, but they can also appear as red spots exclusively on the trunk in the shape of a coin, with scaling on the edges.
Finally, to treat the symptom, it is necessary for the underlying disease to be treated, and the infection condition to improve over the days. Furthermore, it is still possible to use specific creams with calming properties and oral antihistamines.
READ MORE:
Pimple spots – How to treat and prevent
Bibliography:
- PAULISTA STATE UNIVERSITY. Celiac Disease/Gluten Intolerance . Available at:
- MINISTRY OF HEALTH. Celiac disease. Available at:
Sources: DermaClub, Tua Saúde DermaClub
