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??? -.-''

[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.