Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPsoriasisEczemaContact DermatitisDermatitis HerpetiformisKeratosis PilarisGoutSymptom ReliefWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Psoriasis
Eczema
Contact Dermatitis
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Keratosis Pilaris
Gout
Symptom Relief
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Bumps on elbows can occur due to allergies, chronic skin conditions, and more. Some, like the conditionkeratosis pilaris, are fairly common. It’s known for its “chicken skin” appearance and, although there is no cure, it can be treated with lotions.
Others, such as gout, are a more systemic problem with symptoms affecting skin. Changes in diet often can help with gout, as well as other issues like the gluten allergy-relateddermatitis herpetiformis. Knowing the cause can help to ensure you get the right treatment.
1. Psoriasis
Psoriasisis a chronicautoimmunedisorder that causes raised areas of dry, itchy, scaly skin. It is not contagious but can cause unsightly and even painful lesions covering large parts of the body in some people.
Plaque psoriasisis the most common form of the disease and affects about 3% of adults. A 2021 survey of more than 500 people diagnosed with psoriasis found nearly half (48%) had symptoms at the elbow, second only to the scalp.
Plaque psoriasis speeds up the normal turnover of skin cells. Rather than being shed gradually, skin cells start to pile up on the surface, causing silvery-white, scaly lesions known as plaques.
Treatment
Thetreatment of psoriasisdepends on the specific type you have and the severity of your symptoms. Where it occurs on the body, such as the elbows, also is a factor in treatment.
The aim is to reduce the overreactive immune response and relieve symptoms, with options that include:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photohelivideo / Getty Images
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
helivideo / Getty Images
2. Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic, non-contagious inflammatory skin condition that causes itchy, red, swollen skin.
The cause of eczema is unknown, but it is thought to be a disorder in which the immune system provokes an inappropriate inflammatory response. This occurs in response to environmental exposure (like detergents or changes in climate) or emotional factors, like stress.
What Is the Difference Between Eczema and Psoriasis?Eczema can, but doesn’t always, cause scaly leathery patches of skin. This along with other symptoms means it can mimic psoriasis. But psoriasis scales tend to be thicker with more well-defined edges.
What Is the Difference Between Eczema and Psoriasis?
Eczema can, but doesn’t always, cause scaly leathery patches of skin. This along with other symptoms means it can mimic psoriasis. But psoriasis scales tend to be thicker with more well-defined edges.
Thetreatment of eczemais focused on relieving dry, cracked, itchy skin and tempering the inappropriate immune response.
Common treatments for eczema include:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photoprimeimages / Getty Images
primeimages / Getty Images
3. Contact Dermatitis
There are two broad categories of contact dermatitis:
Allergic contact dermatitis is quite common, affecting one in five people at some point in their life. People with childhood eczema are more likely to be affected.Irritant contact dermatitis is slightly less common, affecting one in every 10 people.
Other treatment options for contact dermatitis include:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photogokhanilgaz / Getty Images
gokhanilgaz / Getty Images
4. Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformisis a non-contagious autoimmune condition that causes the outbreak of an itchy, blistering rash after eatinggluten. It is one of the possible symptoms of celiac disease.
These symptoms tend to occur with other common symptoms of celiac disease, including:
The treatment for dermatitis herpetiformis starts with the avoidance of gluten as well as life-long adherence to agluten-free diet.
Other treatments are focused on relieving the rash and the intense itchiness. These include oral antibacterial, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Aczone (dapsone) is generally considered the first-line drug option. Sulfapyradine or sulfasalazine can be used in people who don’t respond to Aczone.A mild topical steroid like hydrocortisone may also be used to relieve itchiness.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoSuvit Maka / Getty Images
Suvit Maka / Getty Images
5. Keratosis Pilaris
Keratinis a structural protein that makes up your hair, skin, and nails.Keratosis pilarisoccurs when excess keratin builds up in the hair follicles, causing them to clog.
This common dry skin condition is sometimes called “chicken skin” due to its characteristic bumps. It mostly affects children and adolescents, and the bumps usually go away as the young person gets older.
In addition to the elbows, keratosis pilaris bumps can also appear on the upper arms, thighs, and buttocks. The bumps tend to get worse in cold weather but improve when it gets warm. The bumps are not usually itchy or painful.
Keratosis pilaris bumps are typically small and hard and may be pale or red with dry skin scales on top. Sometimes, a hair from the clogged follicle is caught inside the bump.
There is no cure for keratosis pilaris, so treatment involves managing symptoms.
While treatment may improve the appearance of the bumps, they tend to return as soon as treatment stops. Fortunately, keratosis pilaris symptoms typically get better with age, even if left untreated.
Treatment options for keratosis pilaris include:
In cases of severe keratosis pilaris that do not improve with age,Q-switched laser therapyis an effective treatment option for improving the appearance of bumpy skin.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoBoy_Anupong / Getty Images
Boy_Anupong / Getty Images
6. Gout
Arthritisis a chronic condition affecting the joints.Gout, also known as gouty arthritis, is an inflammatory type of arthritis that causes severe attacks of pain and swelling of the fingers, toes, wrists, and elbows.
Tophi are usually painless but can be irritating and itchy, particularly on the elbows and fingers.
Around 4% of people have gout, predominantly adults. Males are more vulnerable than females and typically develop symptoms in their 30s and 40s. Females are more likely to do so after menopause.
Gout treatmentis focused on underlying causes of inflammation and uric acid accumulation. Treatment options for gout also focus on symptom relief and include:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photojoloei / Getty Images
joloei / Getty Images
Treatments and How to Get Relief
A variety of home remedies and OTC treatments can provide immediate—albeit temporary—relief for bumpy, itchy elbows:
If you find that your bumpy and/or itchy skin worsens or does not improve with home remedies or OTC treatments, give your healthcare provider a call. Your provider will determine which prescription treatment is right for treating the underlying cause.
With conditions like gout or chronic eczema, it’s important to see a provider as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis. It’s also likely that you will require continued care and monitoring.
In some cases, larger bumps may be related to a sports injury or a condition like osteoarthritis that affects the elbow. Pain at the joint is a sign to see your provider right away, or seek emergency care if you suspect a fracture or tendon tear.
Summary
Itchy bumps on elbows can be aggravating but there is relief. Depending on your condition and the severity of your symptoms, there are over-the-counter and prescription drugs that can help, as well as specialist procedures like phototherapy.
If over-the-counter or home therapies fail to provide relief, contact a healthcare provider. They can take steps to diagnose the cause of your symptoms and offer a treatment plan to bring your symptoms under control.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wong PC, Wang MA, Ng TJ, Akbarialiabad H, Murrell DF.Keratosis pilaris treatment paradigms: assessing effectiveness across modalities.Clin Exp Dermatol. 2024 Sep 18;49(10):1105-1117. doi:10.1093/ced/llae066Armstrong A, Young M, Seal MS, Higham RC, Greiling T.Treatment burden and the perspectives of patients with psoriasis using topical treatments: results from a national survey of adults with psoriasis in the United States.J Dermatolog Treat. 2024 Dec;35(1):2389174. doi:10.1080/09546634.2024.2389174American Academy of Dermatology.What Does Psoriasis Look Like?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: Diagnosis and Treatment.Kapur S, Watson W, Carr S.Atopic dermatitis.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):52. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0281-6Uter W, Werfel T, White IR, Johansen JD.Contact allergy: a review of current problems from a clinical perspective.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(6). doi:29844295Alinaghi F, Bennike NH, Egeberg A, Thyssen JP, Johansen JD.Prevalence of contact allergy in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Contact Dermatitis. 2019 Feb;80(2):77-85. doi:10.1111/cod.13119Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is dermatitis herpetiformis (DH)?Yale Medicine.Dermatitis herpetiformis.Cedars Sinai.Keratosis pilaris (KP).Maghfour J, Ly S, Haidari W, Taylor S, Feldman S.Treatment of keratosis pilaris and its variants: A systematic review.J Dermatolog Treat. 2022 May;33(3):1231-1242. doi:10.1080/09546634.2020.1818678American College of Rheumatology.Gout.Xu J, Zhu Z, Zhang W.Clinical characteristics of infectious ulceration over tophi in patients with gout.J Int Med Res. 2018;46(6):2258-2264. doi:10.1177/0300060518761303Fitzgerald JD, Dalbeth N, Mikuls T, et al.2020 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the management of gout.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020 Jun;72(6):744-60.American Academy of Dermatology.Everyday Care.Vaishya R, Kapoor C, Agarwal AK, Vijay V.A Rare Presentation of Ganglion Cyst of the Elbow.Cureus. 2016 Jul 1;8(7):e665. doi: 10.7759/cureus.665
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wong PC, Wang MA, Ng TJ, Akbarialiabad H, Murrell DF.Keratosis pilaris treatment paradigms: assessing effectiveness across modalities.Clin Exp Dermatol. 2024 Sep 18;49(10):1105-1117. doi:10.1093/ced/llae066Armstrong A, Young M, Seal MS, Higham RC, Greiling T.Treatment burden and the perspectives of patients with psoriasis using topical treatments: results from a national survey of adults with psoriasis in the United States.J Dermatolog Treat. 2024 Dec;35(1):2389174. doi:10.1080/09546634.2024.2389174American Academy of Dermatology.What Does Psoriasis Look Like?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: Diagnosis and Treatment.Kapur S, Watson W, Carr S.Atopic dermatitis.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):52. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0281-6Uter W, Werfel T, White IR, Johansen JD.Contact allergy: a review of current problems from a clinical perspective.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(6). doi:29844295Alinaghi F, Bennike NH, Egeberg A, Thyssen JP, Johansen JD.Prevalence of contact allergy in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Contact Dermatitis. 2019 Feb;80(2):77-85. doi:10.1111/cod.13119Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is dermatitis herpetiformis (DH)?Yale Medicine.Dermatitis herpetiformis.Cedars Sinai.Keratosis pilaris (KP).Maghfour J, Ly S, Haidari W, Taylor S, Feldman S.Treatment of keratosis pilaris and its variants: A systematic review.J Dermatolog Treat. 2022 May;33(3):1231-1242. doi:10.1080/09546634.2020.1818678American College of Rheumatology.Gout.Xu J, Zhu Z, Zhang W.Clinical characteristics of infectious ulceration over tophi in patients with gout.J Int Med Res. 2018;46(6):2258-2264. doi:10.1177/0300060518761303Fitzgerald JD, Dalbeth N, Mikuls T, et al.2020 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the management of gout.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020 Jun;72(6):744-60.American Academy of Dermatology.Everyday Care.Vaishya R, Kapoor C, Agarwal AK, Vijay V.A Rare Presentation of Ganglion Cyst of the Elbow.Cureus. 2016 Jul 1;8(7):e665. doi: 10.7759/cureus.665
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Wong PC, Wang MA, Ng TJ, Akbarialiabad H, Murrell DF.Keratosis pilaris treatment paradigms: assessing effectiveness across modalities.Clin Exp Dermatol. 2024 Sep 18;49(10):1105-1117. doi:10.1093/ced/llae066Armstrong A, Young M, Seal MS, Higham RC, Greiling T.Treatment burden and the perspectives of patients with psoriasis using topical treatments: results from a national survey of adults with psoriasis in the United States.J Dermatolog Treat. 2024 Dec;35(1):2389174. doi:10.1080/09546634.2024.2389174American Academy of Dermatology.What Does Psoriasis Look Like?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: Diagnosis and Treatment.Kapur S, Watson W, Carr S.Atopic dermatitis.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):52. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0281-6Uter W, Werfel T, White IR, Johansen JD.Contact allergy: a review of current problems from a clinical perspective.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(6). doi:29844295Alinaghi F, Bennike NH, Egeberg A, Thyssen JP, Johansen JD.Prevalence of contact allergy in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Contact Dermatitis. 2019 Feb;80(2):77-85. doi:10.1111/cod.13119Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is dermatitis herpetiformis (DH)?Yale Medicine.Dermatitis herpetiformis.Cedars Sinai.Keratosis pilaris (KP).Maghfour J, Ly S, Haidari W, Taylor S, Feldman S.Treatment of keratosis pilaris and its variants: A systematic review.J Dermatolog Treat. 2022 May;33(3):1231-1242. doi:10.1080/09546634.2020.1818678American College of Rheumatology.Gout.Xu J, Zhu Z, Zhang W.Clinical characteristics of infectious ulceration over tophi in patients with gout.J Int Med Res. 2018;46(6):2258-2264. doi:10.1177/0300060518761303Fitzgerald JD, Dalbeth N, Mikuls T, et al.2020 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the management of gout.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020 Jun;72(6):744-60.American Academy of Dermatology.Everyday Care.Vaishya R, Kapoor C, Agarwal AK, Vijay V.A Rare Presentation of Ganglion Cyst of the Elbow.Cureus. 2016 Jul 1;8(7):e665. doi: 10.7759/cureus.665
Wong PC, Wang MA, Ng TJ, Akbarialiabad H, Murrell DF.Keratosis pilaris treatment paradigms: assessing effectiveness across modalities.Clin Exp Dermatol. 2024 Sep 18;49(10):1105-1117. doi:10.1093/ced/llae066
Armstrong A, Young M, Seal MS, Higham RC, Greiling T.Treatment burden and the perspectives of patients with psoriasis using topical treatments: results from a national survey of adults with psoriasis in the United States.J Dermatolog Treat. 2024 Dec;35(1):2389174. doi:10.1080/09546634.2024.2389174
American Academy of Dermatology.What Does Psoriasis Look Like?
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: Diagnosis and Treatment.
Kapur S, Watson W, Carr S.Atopic dermatitis.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):52. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0281-6
Uter W, Werfel T, White IR, Johansen JD.Contact allergy: a review of current problems from a clinical perspective.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(6). doi:29844295
Alinaghi F, Bennike NH, Egeberg A, Thyssen JP, Johansen JD.Prevalence of contact allergy in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Contact Dermatitis. 2019 Feb;80(2):77-85. doi:10.1111/cod.13119
Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is dermatitis herpetiformis (DH)?
Yale Medicine.Dermatitis herpetiformis.
Cedars Sinai.Keratosis pilaris (KP).
Maghfour J, Ly S, Haidari W, Taylor S, Feldman S.Treatment of keratosis pilaris and its variants: A systematic review.J Dermatolog Treat. 2022 May;33(3):1231-1242. doi:10.1080/09546634.2020.1818678
American College of Rheumatology.Gout.
Xu J, Zhu Z, Zhang W.Clinical characteristics of infectious ulceration over tophi in patients with gout.J Int Med Res. 2018;46(6):2258-2264. doi:10.1177/0300060518761303
Fitzgerald JD, Dalbeth N, Mikuls T, et al.2020 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the management of gout.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020 Jun;72(6):744-60.
American Academy of Dermatology.Everyday Care.
Vaishya R, Kapoor C, Agarwal AK, Vijay V.A Rare Presentation of Ganglion Cyst of the Elbow.Cureus. 2016 Jul 1;8(7):e665. doi: 10.7759/cureus.665
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