Skin bumps on your body often develop around hair follicles that cover nearly the entire surface of your body. Bumps may appear around damaged hair follicles that get infected. You can also inherit genes that predispose proteins in your body to build up in the hair follicles on your skin and cause bumps. Bumps that are not related to follicles may be harmless, but if you spend a lot of time in the sun, skin bumps may indicate skin cancer.
Bacterial Infection
Bacterial infections may cause bumps on your skin. Bacterial infections may cause itchy or crusty blisters. Damaged hair follicles on your body may get infected and lead to folliculitis, which causes pimple-like bumps around the follicles.
Viral Infections
Viral infections caused by viruses like the Herpes Simplex Virus may cause a viral form of folliculitis that produces bumps on your body. Warts are caused by the Human Papiloma Virus. Warts may occur as bumps that on your hands, the soles of your feet or on your genitals in cases of sexually transmitted diseases.
Benign
Skin bumps on your body may be non-cancerous or benign. Dermatofibromas are small red or brown benign bumps that may form on your skin, particularly if you are a woman. These bumps usually appear as a single large bump and result from the accumulation of collagen. Cherry angiomas are another benign skin bump. These bumps are common and may occur anywhere on your body. Cherry angiomas are bright red and may be as small as a pin-head or up to .25 inches wide.
Genetic
Genetic conditions may produce skin bumps on your body. According to the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated, Karatosis Pilaris has genetic origins. Karatosis Pilaris looks like numerous pin-head or small pimple-sized bumps that are rough. These bumps may be skin toned, red or brown. Karatosis Pilaris occurs when karatin accumulates around hair follicles on your skin instead of exfoliating and forms hard plugs. Neurofibromas are bumps that occur with Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that affects your bone, skin and nervous system. Neurofibroma bumps may be soft, button-like and occur on, under or hang off your skin.
Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in America. Visit your doctor if you get strange skin markings or experience changes in your skin's appearance. You can increase your chances of curing skin cancer by seeking early treatment. Skin cancer may look like a new growth, sore that does not heal or changes in an existing growth on your skin. Cancerous growths may look small, shiny and waxy or firm and red.
