Bumps

I have red bumps on both my upper arms just below the shoulders. They only appear when it's hot and I first got them last summer. I want to know what they are and how to treat them.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms they sound like sweat dermatitis or heat rash/prickly heat.Prickly heat (miliaria) is an itchy skin rash caused by trapped sweat. It tends to occur on areas of the body where skin touches skin, such as under the breasts, on the inner thighs, and under the arms. Tiny red spots with itching and pricking sensation are the characteristic appearance of this rash.

Avoid using any lotions and creams for the meantime.Use a mild cleanser with moisturizing properties like Cetaphil. Also use cotton clothes and change the clothes twice if there is any increased sweating.Try keeping the skin free of sweat as far as possible. If the symptoms still persist then you can apply mild steroid like dermacort.For the itching antihistaminics like Benadryl or Claritin can be taken.

I hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.