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?

[octwain]

I have been suffering with many of the symptoms described above. I went to my GP who gave me anti itch creams that did not work. I ask to see an allergist, a dermatologist, and a gastroenterologist (I had some rectal bleeding from the chronic irritation). My GP kicked back saying they don't recommend seeing so many specialists at once. I got loud. I would not accept no - I wanted to see all three and they were going to make that happen. She relented and I saw all three. (Just reiterating what was already said - you need to be your own advocate.) My dermatologist gave me some topical steroids and told me to keep moisturizing. Then it got much worse.  I went to the allergist and did scratch testing and gluten testing. We found a lot of allergens which I began to avoid, but it did not clear up my problem. My allergist said I have contact dermatitis, and that I need patch testing from the dermatologist. So I went back to the dematologist office, this time to a different doctor. They didn't want to do the patch test - saying insurance might not cover it and it could be thousands. I got loud again. I was pretty mad, so I think I insinuated that they were incompetent for having misdignosed me in the first place (I do not recommend this approach). I needed this test and they were going to do it. The patch test (which insurance did pay for thank you very much) came back with an allergy to Kathon CG, a chemical found in detergents, etc. My doctor gave me a list of "safe" products to use. I tried Vanicream lotion, which was on my safe list. My hands began to burn and I quickly washed it off. The short ingredients list helped me pinpoint the problem - propylene glycol.  They tested for this, and it was right next to Kathon CG on the patch strip.  I actually think they messed it up and won't admit it, but I'm going for a second opinion soon. In any case, I removed all my offending products and have to be vigilant about what I eat. This stuff is in EVERYTHING - from my hair gel to my ice cream. No wonder I was not getting better. It's been two weeks since I had any products on my skin that contain propylene glycol. My skin has cleared up, my hands and my elbows are no longer itchy and finally my stomach is settling down. Last week I accidentally ate some alfredo sauce that had propylene glycol and the next day all my GI symptoms returned - nausea, bloating, upper GI swelling. This is supposed to be a rare allergy, but my husband has been reacting to it in products as well (He used a mosquito repellent that had a high concentration and broke out, then used Caladryl to try to fix it and that made it worse). What are the chances? Given the amount we use/ingest I think that more people are developing allergies to this than they think. Looking back, I have had minor allergic reactions for at least 10 years. It was only when the situation got out of control that I couldn't take it anymore and investigated and found the offending agent. Many anti-itch creams contain propylene glycol. If your doctor gave you a steroid cream and it made it worse, keep asking. It took me 8 months of seeing specialists (including a hospital trip for a colonoscopy to rule out physical problems). It was a lot of trial and error.

[raintrek]

Outside of my elbows, my right knew, area which experience any form of pressure contact such as waistband (I am not fat), my scalp, back of my neck

Most annoyingly, when my GP look they can't really see anything as it's all skin coloured.

I have a diagnosis of Allergic Rhitis which I've had for years so they are putting it down to an extension of that. But, nothing they give me for it resolves the issues. It's like I am being told to avoid just about all man made chemicals, which is impossible and, because it's not life threatening, just live with it but, my life is so unpleasant.

Can't even seem to persuade the GP to send me to a skin specialist, they are that convinced it's my rhinitis. I just keep wondering, what if this is something else?

[PMDER1]

i wonder if anyone can tell by this picture, it seems to be the same symptoms as on the post. its a picture of my elbow, its on both elbows.

http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/thor137/media/HNI_0098_zpsf17aac14.jpg.html

[barbiedolldeen]

Wow!  Thank you!
I have had the same thing occur and went to dermatologist.  They gave me several creams that did not work.  I thought it may be from moving to Florida (humidity) from California.  I have never had allergies to Gluten, so this is quite a surprise.  Thanks so much for posting this!  :)
Barbiedolldeen

[eharris0912]

Curious....did you ever get a diagnosis? I have the SAME exact symptoms and can't figure it out for the life of me!

[blupen]

Do you eat oatmeal?
I noticed the bumps on fingers about a week ago, and a few days ago the bumps on elbows flared up. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyshidrosis shows that oatmeal can be a cause for bumps on fingers - We started eating oatmeal everyday for breakfast about a month ago. Maybe its a coincidence but I am trying no oatmeal to see if it goes away or at least calms down...