What Hives, Rashes and Other Skin Bumps are Telling You

Before you freak out — the name “keratosis pilaris” sounds more serious than the skin condition actually is. It’s common, and often it can be treated without medical advice. (But by all means, see a doctor or dermatologist any time you are concerned. Even if it’s just for peace of mind.)

Essentially keratosis pilaris — or KP, as Lindsay Barras, education manager for Dermalogica Canada who trains and educates skin therapists on how to handle skin care situations, including red skin — is bumpy red skin that is often found on the back of arms. “It often has to do with friction from fabric, like clothing or bed sheets,” she tells Slice.ca. “It’s the stimulation of dead skin cells. When there is an accumulation of dead skin cells, it creates a ‘plug’ and sebum is trapped underneath.” That’s the bump you feel.

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Essentially you want to get rid of dead skin cells to clear up, and that means exfoliation. Look for body care products that contain the ingredient urea, which is gentle on the skin. You can also use what Barras calls a “physical scrub” in the shower. That’s the exfoliator that contains tiny hard particles that will slough off the dead skin cells to clear up those bumps. But remember, friction is what caused the issue, too. Barras says to gently rub the products on the skin. “Don’t be aggressive with friction when applying to skin.”

Eczema is actually a bunch of skin conditions. It’s not just one type. Some forms of eczema are hereditary, like atopic dermatitis, meaning that you would have it your whole life. And some are reactions, to things like scented soap (like with contact dermatitis). But it always appears as red spots on skin that are itchy and swollen, and in some cases are tiny fluid bumps and/or scabs will appear. “Common places for eczema are the crooks arms, behind the knees, anywhere sweat would accumulate.” As well as spots that are exposed to an irritant, such as the hands, face, or other areas of the body.

For those with a genetic form of eczema, “This is something that you would see consistently in your life,” says Barras. “It’s something that continually have to manage. However, there are acute phases with eczema and you can experience a flareup.”

“The number one focus is to decrease inflammation, hydrating the skin to get the skin back intact.” She recommends only using emollient-based products created for sensitive skin types, that are free of fragrance or additives. It should feel thick and nourishing, made from natural oils. Barras says to look at the ingredient list of a skin lotion to contain niacinamide (anti redness) and hyaluronic acid (moisturizing). Sheabutter may help too. Barras says to consider the Ultracalming line from Dermalogica.

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You can tell hives from the bumpy, patchy, red, itchy skin, but don’t be surprised if you can’t tell right away. “Hives show up differently on everybody, and everybody had a different trigger to them,” says Barras. They can appear pretty much anywhere, from the feet to the tongue. The causes, however, are harder to detect, as hives can be the result of emotional stress, exposure to alcohol, animals, insects, latex, certain foods and more. Essentially the body releases histamine in response to any of those triggers.

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Of course, figuring out the trigger for your hives and avoiding it can help. You can talk to your doctor about getting an allergy test, emotional well-being and self-care practices and more. But for immediate relief, you can try taking an over-the-counter antihistamine. “In the recovery phase, that’s when it’s important to really hydrate the skin,” days Barras, again citing hyaluronic acid as a good skin solution. “Try to soothe the skin, if you can.”

How your skin responds to insect bites is mostly about how your immune system responds to the insect’s enzymes. So, you could have a red bump (mosquito bite), a cluster of bumps (flea bites) or even inflamed skin (allergic to the insect). For most people with most insect bites, there is little to worry about. The redness and itchiness go away in a day or two. “If it’s persistent and not dying down, then you need to see a doctor.” And go to hospital if you have trouble breathing, swelling on the face, increased heart rate, increased heart rate, hives, or stomach sickness.

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Definitely wash the area that has been affected by the insect bite(s) with soap and water. Cool the skin with a cold cloth. And take a pain reliever or an antihistamine if you’re in pain or the swelling is uncomfortable. But whatever you do, don’t scratch, says Barras about insect bites, and every skin condition that is itchy for that matter. “Scratching does a lot of damage to the skin,” she says. “It breaks the skin barrier, and irritants can come into the skin. Your body’s natural response is to become inflamed, which inherently very itchy. That’s again breaks the skin barrier. It’s a vicious cycle. And that creates more inflammation and that makes it even more itchy.” Plus, your nails always have bacteria underneath. “You’re essentially rubbing it into the raw and delicate irritated skin, which can even cause an infection.” Instead pat the skin with cool moisturizer.

You can’t miss the effects of a hot humid day when it results in a heat rash. Your skin feels fiery and it burns. Tiny bumps feel prickly. Essentially, heat rash can pop up wherever you tend to sweat, including the underarms, under the breasts, as well as some not-so-obvious-but-very-visible-spots like the face and arms. Often, this skin rash arises from blocked sweat glands. “Heat rash tends to be more localized than other skin conditions, and it can appear on body parts that tend to be hot and are exposed to the sun,” says Barras.

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Look for a skin care product that will be both cooling and hydrating, suggests Barras. Check for hyaluronic acid to rehydrate the skin and try a “redness” product to bring down the redness in the skin.” Barras shares this tip: Keep your cream in the fridge, so that the coolness will soothe and relieve inflamed skin.

Also noteworthy: “The sun compounds skin conditions,” says Barras about how summertime can be a tough season for those with skin issues. “It’s important to wear sunscreen to prevent yourself from that added trigger.”

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