Small, skin-colored bumps on feet and hands

[BoSox33]

I have small bumps (a mm in width, uniform and circular) on the tops of my feet, and a couple on the backs of my hands (probably 10 or so on each foot, only 2 on each hand).  The bumps are skin colored, and barely raised off the surface.  They are easily missed if not feeling for them, or not looking for them.  They have been there for years, and they seem to be asymptomatic in the sense that they cause no other problems and I am in perfect health.

I do have a severe case of keratosis pilaris, but this is not the same thing.

I am just curious about these bumps.  Thanks.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

A differential for this will be the common warts. Another will be actinic keratoses. The common warts are readily diagnosed. They are skin colored and they are a little rough on the surface. Actinic keratoses are more evident when they are palpated and the more severe forms may be found on sun damaged skin. The severe forms may present with yellow or grayish white scales.

Do you usually sunbathe or have prolonged exposures under the sun?

Do you have similar skin conditions in other parts of the body?

[BoSox33]

Hi Vanessa,

The bumps are neither of those.  I have had warts on my hands before (currently riding myself of one), and these are not warts.  The are not actinic keratoses either.  My GF is a PA, and she confirmed this (however, her expertise isn't in dermatology, so she is not sure what they are, but can help to figure out what they are not).  I do not spend a lot of time in the sun (fair skinned, so sunscreen is always worn for prolonged exposure).  This condition, as stated, is specific to the backs of my hands and tops of my feet.

These bumps are smooth and not course and, again, they are tough to spot by the naked eye unless you are looking for them or feeling for them.