Do you know the little bumps on your elbow that look like a rash and itch all the time? Perhaps this is a standard skin disease, and maybe the cause is more serious. Learn more about this condition of the skin of your elbows from our article.
Eczema
Eczema, also understood as atopic dermatitis, describes an inflammatory skin problem that triggers red, itchy rashes on the skin. These rashes may appear as little bumps. The skin on the outside of the elbows, together with the skin of the knees, is the primary place where the first symptoms of eczema appear. Normally these are little dry reddish or white bumps on the skin of the elbow, which cause a person to itch. A medical professional can identify eczema by examining a person’s case history and taking a look at the impacted skin. A medical professional might advise additional screening to eliminate other possible skin problem.
Treatment: Unfortunately, there is presently no remedy for eczema. However, prescription topical corticosteroids are the primary means of treating the rash and its symptoms. Phototherapy, typically in the type of Narrowband UVB treatment, utilizes ultraviolet light for another treatment. The light communicates with the immune system to minimize inflammation and improve the rash and the symptoms.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a condition resulting from immune dysregulation that causes chronic inflammation of the skin. People who have plaque psoriasis establish pink or white scaly plaques on areas, generally, the elbows, knees, lower back, face, and scalp. Some other symptoms of psoriasis include pink patches in the folds of the body, called inverted psoriasis; pain or swelling of the joints, understood as psoriatic arthritis; pitting or other changes in the nails, referred to as nail psoriasis. A physician can typically diagnose psoriasis from the skin’s appearance.
Treatment: Treatments for psoriasis vary depending upon the place and seriousness of the condition, and if psoriatic arthritis exists. These treatments can consist of: over-the-counter or prescription topical ointments, especially topical corticosteroids and Vitamin D analogs; phototherapy with ultraviolet light; immunosuppressant drugs, such as methotrexate or cyclosporine
biologic medications, such as Humira, Cosentyx, Stelara, or Taltz; an oral retinoid known as Acitretin.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is another autoimmune disorder that causes painful swelling in the joints, such as the elbows, wrists, fingers, knees, ankles, toes. If an individual does not receive treatment, inflammation can cause tissue damage and affect the shape of the joints. Individuals who have RA can develop rheumatoid nodules, which are firm, round bumps under the skin on elbow and other parts of the body.
Read also: Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Treatment: There is no remedy for RA. However, individuals can use medication and lifestyle changes to lower joint pain, slow progression, and decrease swelling. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, can minimize inflammation and decrease disease progression. These medications might assist prevent joint damage. Likewise, individuals can work with their treatment group to develop a customized exercise regimen. Stretches and low impact exercise can help avoid loss of mobility.
Osteoarthritis
The National Institute on Aging state that osteoarthritis is the most typical kind of arthritis amongst older adults. Osteoarthritis impacts over 30 million adults in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The loss of cartilage, which is the tissue located where two bones fulfill to form a joint, defines the condition. Cartilage acts as a cushion and supplies lubrication for the joints. However, the repetitive usage of joints over a life time can harm the cartilage, which may cause joint pain and swelling.
Osteoarthritis can affect the elbows, hands, knees, hips, or spine. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain and tightness in the joints; tender joints; reduced mobility; crepitus, or the grinding or splitting sound when moving a joint. Physicians can identify osteoarthritis with imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRIs. A physician may aspirate an affected joint, which includes collecting and evaluating fluid from the area. The results of this test can assist rule out other medical conditions that trigger joint inflammation and pain.
Treatment: Treatments for osteoarthritis include medication and surgery to decrease swelling in the joints as well as way of life changes, such as weight reduction, physical therapy, routine workout, eating a well-balanced diet with vegetables and fruits, and taking omega-3 fat supplements.
Olecranon Bursitis
Olecranon bursitis triggers swelling and redness on the elbow. It occurs when a fluid filled sac in the elbow called the olecranon bursa becomes irritated. People usually develop this condition in response to an infection or after an elbow injury. It should be noted that in this disease, the skin on the elbows usually does not itch, although there may be exceptions. Symptoms of olecranon bursitis include:
- swelling at the pointer of the elbow
- a round, painless lump on the elbow, likewise referred to as a swollen bursa
- heat, pain, or swelling of the bursa indicating inflammation, consisting of infection.
A physician will likely run one or more imaging tests to diagnose an inflamed bursa and rule out other causes. Blood tests might assist diagnosis by examining particular forms of arthritis or any infection.
Treatment: An uninfected bursa will likely recover with rest and anti-inflammatory medication. An infected bursa will need antibiotics. Physicians may likewise use steroid injections to lower inflammation. They will think about surgical intervention on a case-by-case basis.
Lateral Epicondylitis
Lateral epicondylitis, commonly referred to as “tennis elbow,” is a medical condition, the quality of which is inflammation of the tendons that connect the muscles in the forearm to the elbow. Individuals develop this condition from performing repeated motions that involve the elbow. Individuals who have lateral epicondylitis might notice the following symptoms as pain in the outer elbow that intensifies when using the forearm and decreased grip strength. Activities that might cause pain in the elbow include shaking hands, making a fist, turning a doorknob, and grasping a things, such as a tennis racket or ball, itchiness of elbow’s skin and small bumps on it. A medical professional can detect lateral epicondylitis with a physical assessment of the elbow and imaging tests, such as an MRI or X-ray.
Treatment: Treatments for tennis elbow consist of rest, ice therapy, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. Using a brace on the forearm will give the tendons a chance to recover, assisting to lower painful symptoms and prevent further injury. Individuals who experience symptoms despite attempting the treatments listed above might require surgery or physical treatment.
Lipoma
A lipoma is a soft, noncancerous fatty growth below the skin. An experienced clinician can usually quickly recognize a lipoma on physical exam. Medical professionals might associate lipomas with particular disorders, family history, or injury. They can be little or grow to a considerable size. Lipomas are usually asymptomatic. If painful to the touch, they may be a particular version referred to as an angiolipoma. They are generally a slow growing soft, squishy movable mass underneath the skin.
Treatment: Lipomas do not require treatment given that they are noncancerous. Nevertheless, if a person desires treatment, surgical removal is generally the first option. A physician may consider surgery if the lesion is growing to an unwanted size, or interfering with daily life, or cosmetically worrying, or causing symptoms, or a conclusive diagnosis is needed, or diagnosis remains in question. Removal of a lipoma will leave a scar, which will depend upon its size and the experience of the surgeon.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformis is a chronic autoimmune condition that triggers itchy, red, fluid filled bumps on the skin on areas such as the elbows, knees, buttocks, lower back, and scalp. Often just little scratches in the skin will be evident in these areas since the blisters are very vulnerable, and a person can easily damage them by scratching. Individuals can establish dermatitis herpetiformis as an outcome of hereditary and environmental elements. Gluten is a typical ecological trigger that experts connect with this condition. Physicians frequently associate dermatitis herpetiformis with Celiac disease. People with this disorder should see a gastroenterologist to assess for intestinal disease. A doctor can identify dermatitis herpetiformis by analyzing a skin sample for the presence of antibody proteins. Antibody proteins appear on areas of skin the condition affects in 92% of people who have dermatitis herpetiformis.
Treatment: Effective treatments for this condition include topical and oral dapsone, gluten-free diet, topical corticosteroids.
Conclusion
Many diseases that can cause the appearance of bumps and teeth in the elbow require careful and prolonged treatment. However, this does not mean that you can not ask your doctor to prescribe an ointment or lotion that will relieve you of itching and unsightly skin on the elbows.
