Small, itchy bumps on forearm (rash?)

[yimmmah]

Hi,

I really don't know what's going on with my arms so any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

I've noticed recently that my forearms often become itchy and whenever I scratch my arms, the area I scratched develops a pink-ish hue and small bumps appear. The small bumps themselves aren't weirdly colored or anything...in fact they kind of look like abnormal goosebumps (when I say abnormal I mean that the bump sizes aren't consistent..some smaller and some larger...but never bigger than say 3/16 inches..which is still pretty small). If I don't irritate the area for a day, the bumps eventually go down (sometimes still a little visible) and the pinkish hue fades away. That's basically the jist of my symptoms. It doesn't sound like much, but the appearance of the bumps are pretty alarming...and definitely not normal.  

I'm not an outdoors person, so the possibility of it being poison ivy or some plant is out of the question. Also, I'm pretty hygenic...showering everyday to every other day. I have an acne problem but it's restricted to just my face...never heard of ppl getting acne on their arms. I rarely have contact with animals/pets.

So...anyone have any idea of what this could be??? -.-''

[eabfitness]

So did you end up having bedbugs then?  If so and they are gone....have you noticed your symptoms declining?

[creativethinker]

P.S.  I hope this helps some of you!

[creativethinker]

Hi, I've had this going on now for over 6 months.  Started with a few intensely itchy red bumps on my forearms.  It felt like I was getting bit or stung and would be mind-bending itchy.  It was worse at night and would keep me from sleeping.  The bumps spread all over the tops (only) of my forearms and the skin became rough and thick and I would get scars from scratching.  They would bleed, then scab.  There's little raised bumps covering the whole forearm and the bigger bumps that are the itchy ones.  I finally found something that has helped with the itchy bumps and has  been allowing my skin to heal for the most part.   I used my facial mud/clay and slathered it on my arms fairly thick and kept it on until it was completely dry and cracking off my arms.  Then I would rinse it off with cool water.  I would do this a couple times a day, once in the morning and once at night.  I felt relief from the itching right away and could finally sleep at night.  I noticed that the itching was less and less each day and my arms started to heal.  This is after MONTHS of daily agony.  I still don't know what has caused this but I'm guessing some kind of mite or parasite?  Whenever I would scratch it would make the stabbing biting more intense and worse, so I was thinking that might be what it was.  Also, when I would put lotion on my arms (they were getting very dry and rough) it would kick up the itch unbearably.   Now, I rarely itch at all although I still have the smaller raised bumps but the bigger ones have almost all gone away.  I've been using my dead sea mineral mud mask and a glycolic acid mud mask, but I think any mud or clay mask would work.  Just put it on thick and make sure to let it thoroughly dry until it's cracking off your skin, then rinse in cool water, pat moist dry and then maybe put a little coat of Vaseline on it (I do).  Good luck!

[Averageokie]

Another thing you could consider is a thyroid condition.  I have hypothyroidism and my arms are also itching on the forearms. It burns under the skin and small colorless bumps ranging in size pop up. I seen this and wanted to give maybe some new insight..


In some cases, thyroid problems and itchy skin are directly related. Itchy skin is one of the more common symptoms of hypothyroidism because the thyroid gland is linked to skin growth. It is important to seek medical treatment if you think you are suffering from a thyroid problem, as symptoms can often worsen if left untreated.

Benadryl works for me, I wish you all luck.

[J131985]

I just recently got that too on my forearms little white bumps I have some on my thumb. I started feeling itchy all over 2 months ago I had bumps that look like pimples on my sides of my stomach my thighs back of my thighs back of my arms I think I might be allergic to cheap detergent I started using or maybe it's the cold weather but I've never had an issue like this before I had some body achne growing up but couple years ago I used dove men body wash with beads went away but couple years later I got it full on. First I had a really bad itchy all over horrible I showed in cold water wouldn't go away I added lotion nothing the horrible itching feeling all over calmed its self down after two hours then after that I started breaking out all over

[S133378940BbB]

Brachioradial pruritus (BP) is a condition where the person experiences intense itching, burning and/or stinging to one or both arms. The itching often occurs between the shoulder and the elbow on the sides of the arms but can also extend up to the shoulders.

Scratching can make the itching feel worse, rather than bringing relief. Using ice packs is one treatment that may calm the itch.

[Helpmeiamitchy]

Hi I have the exact same thing and it turns out that I am allergic to Venom from ticks apparently. I got Lyme's disease this year I took 3 weeks of antibiotics called doxycycline. Now I am going to be taking steroids hopefully that will help me with the bumps in the itching and redness. Best of luck to all of you hope you find your answers.

[Lynn2635]

Hi, I'm sorry if I can't help you, I'm sort of having the same problem. I have these bumps on my fingers, leg, arm and they literally look like goosebumps, there not any color, and every single day I get a new one at a different spot. It's so very itchy, my skin gets rough and dry everytime I scratch it. I never had it on my face though. If one of you guys had this problem and know how to fix it, please tell me. Thanks!

[artistamoreno]

It's a seasonal allergy reaction for me. I get it every year. beginning in April into summer. My doctor prescribed Lidex, fluocinonide gel, a topical that relieves the itching and dries up the little fluid pimple or red blemish bumps that can spread when scratching.  I would get it near my armpits, some times on my side stomach from working out, and behind my knees, basically anywhere where moist and sweat can collect as spring begins. By summer, I'm over it. Again, it's literally when initial spring, warmer weather, and allergy season kicks up for me.

[Meisterman]

Ended up here while searching for answers to my itchy forearms. I don't have an answer - just giving info on my situation in case it helps those trying to figure out what is  causing this to all of us.

I have lived in  Florida now for the past 30 years. The itchiness started a couple yrs ago, and would come up every 3 or 6 months. At first, it was on both arms just above the elbows. This time, it is lower - on the forearms.

I am of Irish descent, and the itchiness never happens on the underside of the arms, just the top part where the sun has changed the color some over the years.  Now, this time, after lots of scratching, small bumps have formed, maybe about half a dozen or so. And it is these bumps that are itchy. Even after letting them scab and heal, there seems to be a littler version of the bump still there which is still slightly itchy.

[Cuddles505]

I have one raised welt or bump on my left forearm on the top of the arm. I too drive and that arm has more sun exposure. It itches so bad it breaks open and scabs up. And then it might quit itching so bad and wham it's right back. The dermatologist burnt it off with that freezing crap. And guess where the bump is this year? Right next to and almost on top of last year's scar. I'll try the ice. Nothing else I've found has worked except perscription Atarax and initially that crap will have you comatose. But after two days of sleeping you don't get sleepy anymore. Reading these posts I realize I get it in summer. Thank God its only one bump. I can't imagine a bunch of them. I'll try heavy duty sunscreen and try to cover that area of my arm. I even had my place checked for bedbugs...they didnt find any...but why would a bug only bite the exact same spot on my arm. Totally fed up though.

[Freskolakay]

Thanks for the formation I have the  same thing going on rash raised pump on my left lower arm. I drive a lot, I'm a cable technician so my left arm get exposed a lot to the sun but. I really don't know what to do. Guess is to see a doctors

[Stormy4757]

Thank you for posting this link.  I found it very helpful. Having recently had an allergic reaction to Vitamin B3, I broke out in hives that lasted for two weeks. So I am assuming that this itchy arm rash is part of the after affects. The spot is right where I rest my arm when holding the mouse on the desktop.

[HaileyGav123]

Hey I'm 15 and just a couple days ago I noticed little bumps in the bottom on my wrists they don't itch but then there are few big ones above my elbow that itch like crazy and I have been using benedril and hydrocortisone for this and nothing is working. Plz help

[PersonthatNeedsHelp]

I also need help. The exact same thing happens to me and I'm an indoor person, but it doesn't have a history from my family. I don't have any allergies either can someone please tell me.

[MountainLivin]

Skin rashes are very hard to diagnose, if you are worried I'd go get it checked out by a doctor. I have gotten (what sounds like) the same thing my whole life. My skin is very sensitive. This happens to me after contact with clothes that were washed in certain detergent especially fabric softener - I have to use the hypoallergenic stuff. Certain lotions or creams have a similar reaction (probably due to a harsh fragrance). Also, if I wear certain synthetic clothes, I get a rash. If you have sensitive skin, be aware what you put in contact with your body. Use natural products and natural fabrics. I have also gotten a similar rash on my hands from over exposure to the sun. My advise is to listen to your body and get it checked out of you're worried.

[dlynn12]

I found out that a medication I take has made me  extremely sensitive to the sun.  I have a come and go rash on my left arm only.  Occasionally it would appear on my right shoulder and arm.  I found out when I went out to tan my legs for first time in years and they broke out in hives and an itchy rash.   That was the eye opening moment that made me check side effects of my  medications .  Left arm only because I drive a lot and that is the arm always exposed to the sun.  Right arm when I spend time in the sun with both arms exposed. Rarely because I am a "sit in the shade"  person!.  I was never a sun worshipper anyway so it is easy for me to avoid it in the summer by being in shade most of the time outdoors.  I then wear a very light weight shirt with long sleeves when driving.  Some are allergic to the sun even without any med related side effects.  I hope this helps.   .

[daniellelee777]

I have those itchy bumps too it started at my wrist and I would but alcohol on it and that light pink lotion . fours days later its from my wrist to my elbow and its so itchy . does anyone know what this is?? I have never had it before . there's a lot of bumps all over my arm from wrist to elbow and it keeps getting worse . i live inn Atlanta Georgia .

[Goldenretreiivergirl]

Hi, I have had this itchy rash on my forearms off and on for several years now. Until this year it has only been on one arm at a time, between the elbow and wrist. However, this time it has gone above my elbow about 3 inches. Until recently I would have said that it happens about every 6-9 months, but this time I decided to take notes as to the time frame and I have already had this for about 3 months, so maybe I was just getting it once a year, after all. I don't think it has lasted this long before, though.
Anyways, today I was doing some research and was reading about different skin issues and it didn't fit any of them exactly but the one that seemed closest was the "heat rash" or "prickly heat". The one thing that differentiated this one from the others was it described it as feeling like pin pricks. It's not all the time, but I do have bouts of that sensation off and on. Sometimes it will not let me get to sleep as it is an unbearable feeling and I can't keep myself from itching or rubbing the area. I had to laugh when I read the post by Lollypops where they had been told NOT to itch the area and they made the comment about needing to use the breathing technique for child birth. I agree. I try really hard not to sometimes, but then I just can't stand it anymore. Sometimes I feel like I could just dig holes in my arm. My arm has also gotten very tough from all the itching. In some areas, when I rub or press firmly on my arm I can feel small welt-like bumps under the skin. As I started reading these posts I was very hopeful that I had found the solution as they seemed to be written more in the late spring to summer months, which makes sense, but then I noticed farther down the list, others that had it in the cold months. So now I'm not quite as sure. I do live in FL so maybe the other people also live in the warmer regions and they may just be more sensitive to the sun. So far, I've not found anything that has relieved the itch and I've tried most that were mentioned. The other day I was at the doctor and I asked him what he thought it was and he said it was probably an allergic reaction and to try something like Zyrtec or Claritin. I bought Claritin as it didn't make you drowsy, but I can't tell you that that is making a difference either. I am usually outside during the hotter part of the day so I do think that it may still be a heat rash. I don't put sunscreen on, but I'm going to try that and see if it makes a difference. If that doesn't seem to work, maybe I'll even try covering my arm completely. Right now I'm sitting here with an ice pack on my arm to see if that helps, too. If I get a break-through I'll be sure to let you know.

[Neddisame]

Well, I have the same thing.. And have had for a few weeks.
A close friend of mine has bed bugs. And even though I havent seen any I fear I do as well.
   I have been doing what little we can. But the process is long an expensive. Please, If you have this rash have professionals check for bed bugs.
  Theyre a pain. But sooo much easier if you get on top of them early on. Trust me I didnt.
    

[HouseKnowsBest]

Please excuse  my comment posted as :just" to you. My comment is meant for all in this community suffering from allergen born rash/  raised bumps. Blame the FDA really..they ALLOW so many chemicals and addictives in food that are ILLEGAL in other countries. Many of them cause cancer. But in most cases they just cause ITCHING.

[HouseKnowsBest]

I have the same thing going on and it is bad...I am going to tell you what is going on . Ixcant tell you the cure..but I can tell you CAUSES.  It is NOT "Dry Skin"  that is a TINY part odf anyone with this itchy rash. ..your Dermatologist doesnt KNOW what the cause is (Any of them). Ansd 99.9% wont tell you the root cause..they will prescribe steroid creams..they DONT work and they make your skin WORSE. I have treid 14 prescription meds...

an ORAL ANTIHISTAMINE DOES HELP..such as HYDROXYZINE 26mg ocne a day. YES it will make you sleep

These are unfortunately the causes...and I dont know the cure"

YEAST-_CANDIDA build up.. i nthe skin.. MANY causes of this.

DIABETES---YES-- get a Gluvose FASTING test 8 hours or more and and HGA1 blood test--see if your glucose levels are nto elevated. If they ARE elevated... you have problems

Anyone eating PROCESSED FOOD... its all bad for you. It gets in yoru body and it destroys.I cant give a full list here of all the additives. food dyes. peservatives and nitrates. Sodium. .

HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP..thats the next big  culprit. That will give you severe rashes. Usually from CEREAL like, SODA (Soda is a killer bothe regular AND diet), Ketchup,

DAIRY FOOD..it builds up in your skin as you get older..and it comes to your skin surface as an itchy rash

I have the tiny bumps on my right forearm. I have itchy  starting to open up and become open sdore on right ARM, and leg.

My Glucose levels are normal...therefore....(still this can be PRE diabetes and they refuse to give medication PRE diabetes)

But lets go with te ALLERGY and TOXIC reasons ove "diabetes".

STOP eating JUNK  (very hard)
STOP eating DAIRY (very hard) including cutting out for quite a while Yogurt, Ice cream. milk
SOY..Soy Sauce...CHinese or Asian food...the Soy turns to YEAST
Fruits high ir Fructose (look em up)

OTHER CAUSES..and I would consider this if the rash ges worse

GI TRACT ISSUES--including MOTILITY (ae you regular).IOf not there is a Build up of toxins in the bosdy..try an enema..use a naturual laxative. (Poly Glycol 0 (

Things that can WORK...

NYSTATIN..works wonders...anti fungal/Anti Candida cream
DIFLUCAN..it is a pill..it is HARSH on the LIVER>.and only ONE
physician ever gave it to me. itSTOPPED the rash..when my
DIET shifted BACK to anything with SUGAR or HIGH FRUCTOSE
(hey its hard to live a life without ANY sugar) Try going a YEAR
without eating ONE cookie. ONE piece of fruit high in sugar
(YES..FRUIT..fresh fruit..is HIGH in sucrose...it *****.

[Razorheart]

Yea i have the same too and I was just chilling with friends then all of a sudden they just appeared I don't know what it is im going to see the nurse at my facility and see if she knows anything about it.

[Lollypops2206]

I have been putting up with this itch for 6 weeks now.  The itch has been driving me crazy.  I lose sleep and it is really getting me down. My skin initially becomes slightly heated in the area that is about to itch.  There is only ONE thing to stop the itch !!! Ice !!!.  My arms are scarred and very rough from itching.  I have been to 3 doctors who don't seem too concerned (hope they get it one day !! ha). Have tried 2 variations of cream...does not work....only ice works.  I go to bed with an ice pack.  I am OVER IT and would love a physician to read these posts to give us some REAL insight into the possibilities of the cause.  I finally add, not scratching DOES help BUT, one needs to go back to the breathing method used in childbirth to try stop the urge to scratch.  Happy days !!! Uggghh    

[goingbigin321]

guys all of you should try using calamine lotion. It did wonders for me.