Itchy bumps on elbows psoriasis or eczema?

[littlew22]

I have itchy bumps on both of my elbows (outer-side only).  They appeared on both left and right elbows at same time about a week ago.  The bumps look skin-colored, almost like blisters or mosquito bites, but can look pinkish-red after itching or after I apply lotion. I went to a doctor (not a dermatologist mind you) and she quickly said it could be psoriasis, and to just keep them moisturized.  But everything I read about psoriasis says red itchy rashes that turns scaly, and I've never see anything (information or pictures) that shows psoriasis to start out as blister/mosquito-like bumps.

I've also been getting smaller callus-like bumps/areas on the sides of my fingers, that don't itch. I moisturize them with aquaphor ointment and then they disappear.  Not sure if they're related to the elbow bumps, but they don't look or feel the same.

Do the bumps on my elbows sound like psoriasis?

[Smithereen]

Wow, i'm having a hard timing believing that your dermatologists are potentially misinforming you.  Some of your research is possibly way off the mark.  While there are some variances with some of your symptoms and conditions, most of you seem to have plaque psoriasis, also known as psoriasis vulgaris.  Try Taclonex Ointment or Clobetasol Propionate Foam.  Both prescription.  Look'em up.  They work.  Really.  And don't be so scared to see a Dermatologist.     Um, a GOOD dermatologist.  There are obviously plenty of quacks out there.

[amandasm]

I have had the small blister like intensely itchy/painful/sometimes raw bumps on the side of one finger on and off for a few years. I can just about manage it now I've been given steroid cream and diprobase ointment to keep my hands moisturised (dirt cheap and no prescription needed) - I used to get to the point that I wanted to chop my fingers off with the itching!. It seemed to go away when I was backpacking for a couple of years and then came back when I returned to the UK.

In the last few months I now noticed blisters on the adjacent finger and in the last few weeks have developed the same red inflamed patches/bumps/dry/painful/itchy areas on the outside of my elbows - interesting to see that the two odd conditions seem to go hand in hand in others too (pardon the pun!)

The finger blisters are generally aggravated by soaps (I try and use aqueous cream but not possible in public toilets or at work) and I also think a main cause of this is stress and a run down immune system. When  I was travelling I wasn't under the same types of pressures as the daily working grind and was rarely ill with colds and such viruses (just a few nasty stomach bugs!).

In the last 9 months I gave up my hobby of fell running to focus on writing my PhD thesis as I wasn't making progress fast enough. Since then I have worked very late nights regularly on top of working during the day - the only weekend I've had off was at xmas. Over xmas I had a really bad chest infection and since then have been plagued by really bad colds etc every few weeks.

So, the fact that I am chronically tired and unable to exercise which would both boost my immune system, and feeling very pressured is possibly a big root cause of things.

This would also support those recommending changing the diet as that can affect immune function too (I have been too busy to eat as much fresh fruit and veg as I normally would so that could be contributing to the condition too).

I have a background in physiology so a depressed immune system would make sense to me and it's very interesting hearing other people talk about their experiences relating to this. I assume that it wouldn't cause the same effect in everyone with a low immune function so there is probably also some hereditary issue too (my dad also has dry itchy hands!).  

Very pleased to have found this thread :-)

[Methodician]

SOLVED for me.

I've had the same exact issue intermittently for a couple years. Like everyone else experienced, all the doctors who looked at it made up a common diagnosis and sent me on my way.

You are your own best doctor. Like at least one other poster said, it turns out to be GLUTEN. I tested this by going on and off of a gluten-free diet over the course of about 6 months. Even though the diet helped, it was easy to go back because I love wheat. Each time, the constipation and itchy bumps came back. Gluten is also a common cause of constipation, which few doctors seem to realize.

If you experience these bumps, especially in combination with either constipation, loose stools, or other dietary discomfort, you should do like I did: test it out. Don't assume anything. Go on the gluten free diet for a month or two, go back off, and go back on. Rinse and repeat. It's not easy because wheat is in everything. Your results won't be clear unless you obsessively read the ingredients on EVERYTHING you eat.

[CW3]

Since my last posts, I've had improvement with my foot.  I've made several changes to my diet which have changed my overall feeling of well being as well.  There's still some other things with the lower GI, but we'll figure them out soon enough.  One step at a time, and a little trial and error.

Things I have done that have given me some health improvement.

I significantly cut back on junk food such as snack cakes, candy (especially chocolate it's a double whammy food allergy nut & made with dairy), chips.

I cut out as much food made with/from nuts as possible.  No more peanut butter, almond milk, walnut chips, etc.

I've known I was lactose intolerant for a long time, but pizza is pretty hard to resist, as is chocolate.

I reduced my caffeine intake by at least 50%, and increased my water intake.

I avoid foods that contain hydrogenated, and exotic oils such as palm kernel (again a kinda a nut), and seed oils such as cottonseed, sesame, and sunflower.

I also increased my fiber intake to help push out some of the rotting food that was stagnating in my body.

I've attempted to take a more positive outlook, and removed as many stressors from my life as possible.  I talk to people more, and I try to smile even when I don't feel like it.  Stress will exasperate any condition.

Visualization of my body's own healing powers helps me cope with the pain too.  When it gets tough, I picture my white blood cells riding around in police cars, or driving tanks, or other such silly 'non-sense' to arrest/ward off the bad cells.  I also visualize damaged parts being repaired, and my personal mantra of healing is the keep telling my body "poisons out".

Breathing exercise helps with stress, and releases my own body's chemicals that make me feel better.

I stopped working with/touching the compounds listed in the above posts, and my foot improved, but it wasn't going away.

With a lot of trial and error, label reading, and persistence I feel like a new person.

My psoriasis on my elbows has all but disappeared too.

Try it if you want, I still feel that the eczema is an allergic reaction.

Remember, natural food is medicine.  Processed food is often poison in disguise.  Conventional medicine is great for trauma, and stabilizing serious disease, but concentrated medicine can also kill you too.  Organic foods, and natural plants & minerals can contain some of the same compounds, in safer doses.

Do your homework on what you put in your body, you may be aghast at what you find out too.

[nikol771]

I had the same problem couple of months ago. Try Chlorophyl pills or liquid it doesn't matter. It worked for me.

[CW3]

Oh, and Tea Tree Oil does wonders for loosening the scaled skin, and relieving some of the pain associated.  I treat mine when I get out of the shower, and every time I wash my feet (which is generally a couple times a day).

I get my oil from Sally Beauty usually, but you can get it anywhere.  Avoid creams, that have alcohol, and fragrances, these will cause extra pain.  

Just rub the oil on lightly with circular motions.  Don't press too hard, or peel any of the skin, and do not use a brush to remove the skin...  All of these things will make it more painful, and open you up to secondary infections.

As you work the oil in, the looser pieces of scaled skin will come off.  For good measure, I will remind you again not to peel it, or force sections that do not want to come off yet, this will only make it more painful.

If your scaling has sore cracking portions, you can cover the area with a cotton, or gauze to help keep it clean, and avoid further irritation.

For your feet there is no need to cut the sock obviously.  But for elbows, knees, arms, and hands you can cut the end of the sock, and slide it over. You can use cotton gloves on your hands.

Whatever you use, make sure it's breathable, and for feet, make sure to change your socks often, and rotate your shoes.  Excess moisture will lead to secondary infections, and creams/sprays like anti-fungals will cause undue pain to scaled feet.