Very Itchy Bumps on Skin: What You Should Know

Atopic Dermatitis often causes itchy, inflamed skin that can become dry or cracked. Contact Dermatitis may follow exposure to a cosmetic, detergent, metal or plant. Hives tend to appear as raised itchy areas that come and go, while Scabies commonly causes intense itch with small bumps and may affect household contacts. Asteatotic Eczema, Psoriasis, Lichen Planus and Skin Yeast Infection have different appearances and distributions. Itch does not by itself identify one condition.

Use a cool compress, keep nails short and apply a bland fragrance-free moisturiser to dry skin. Stop a newly introduced product if the rash began after using it, and avoid scratching or sharing towels. Wear loose clothing and note foods, medicines, products, heat and timing that seem relevant. A clinician may prescribe treatment matched to the cause; using leftover steroid or anti-infective creams can obscure the rash or worsen some infections.

Seek urgent help for itchy bumps with facial or tongue swelling, breathing difficulty, faintness or widespread blistering. Arrange assessment for pus, fever, rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, night-time itch affecting sleep, or symptoms in several household members. A persistent or recurrent rash also merits review.

Could this fit Atopic Dermatitis, Contact Dermatitis, Hives or Scabies? Do I need testing for infection? Which products should I stop? Should household contacts be checked? What treatment is safe for my face or children?