Tiny bumps on my daughter's elbow

[Arriadne]

I'm wondering if anyone can help me diagnose my 10-year old daughter's skin problem.  She used to have eczema on her elbow.  Our dermatologist prescribed topical corticosteroids.  The problem goes away but comes back.  Then recently, I noticed that her elbow has developed tiny, skin-colored, kind of scaly bumps (please see attached picture).  She said they're not itchy but I'm alarmed by all those bumps.  

[jessymelton]

Hi my son has these same bumps that just showed up about a week and a half ago. He at first got almost like a rash all over his arms, back, and chest. Then it just went to these bumps on his elbow. Well yesterday, I had put some sun screen on him and he went swimming and now not only does he have those same bumps on his elbows but he is breaking out in a rash on his back and chest again. Any idea what this could be? I've looked up everything that I could think of it being and the picture of this little girls arm is identical to my sons elbows

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
These can be due to frictional lichenoid dermatitis or dermatitis herpetiformis. Typical symptoms of dermatitis herpetiformis include burning, stinging, and intense itching and rash consists of small vesicles on the extensor aspects. It is an autoimmune blistering disorder associated with a gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Investigation which needs to be done is biopsy skin which is the only investigation to diagnose this condition.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.