Red bumps can be frustrating, especially if yours are accompanied by pain or itching. Most bumps are easy for your physician to diagnose and treat, so making an appointment with your doctor will speed up the healing process. Potential causes for the red bumps on your feet are hives, secondary syphilis, psoriasis, atopic eczema and athlete's foot.
Identification
All these conditions can cause red bumps on your feet. With secondary syphilis, the symptoms show two to 10 weeks after a sore appears, according to MayoClinic.com. A rash can appear on the sole of your feet and can also include a fever, tiredness and swollen lymph nodes. Hives start as an itch that is followed by red, swollen welts that can last a few minutes to several weeks, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Psoriasis, eczema and athlete's foot also manifest as an itch and cause redness on the bottom of your feet. Atopic eczema may develop into fluid-filled bumps that ooze when they become moist, according to KidsHealth.org. Psoriasis develops into silver scales of dead skin that peel and flake. In severe cases, blistering can occur from athlete's foot, according to Midwest Podiatry and Associates.
Causes
Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and is almost always transmitted through sexual activity. In rare cases, it can be spread by close contact with an active lesion such as during kissing, according to MayoClinic.com. Hives are present when the chemical histamines are released from your skin cells and hives are usually triggered by insect stings, food allergies, infections and allergies to certain medications, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Psoriasis occurs when your immune system mistakenly triggers accelerated skin cell growth. Athlete's foot is caused by the fungus dermatophyte, which thrives in moist and warm environments, according to Midwest Podiatry and Associates. The cause of atopic eczema is unknown although it's most common in patients with family members that have hay fever, asthma or other allergens, according to KidsHealth.org.
Diagnosis
Hives, eczema, psoriasis and athlete's foot can typically be diagnosed by observing their appearance. For hives and eczema, a doctor can test several allergens on your skin to determine which causes a reaction. Eczema is not an allergy, but allergies can trigger eczema, according to KidsHealth.org. Syphilis can be diagnosed by a blood test or a biopsy sample of cells from the suspicious sore. Cells are sloughed off and viewed under a microscope. In rare cases, a spinal tap may be conducted to collect cerebrospinal fluid for testing if syphilis is suspected, according to MayoClinic.com. A microscope can be used to view fungus caused by athlete's foot and in some cases, the fungus can be observed by growing a fungal culture in a lab.
Treatment
It usually takes a single injection of penicillin to kill the bacterium that causes syphilis, according to MayoClinic.com. If you have allergies to penicillin, there are other options available. For hives, antihistamines are used and cortisone can be used temporarily to relieve itching. In severe cases, an injection of adrenaline may be needed, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Eczema will typically improve on its own by the time a patient is 6 years old, according to KidsHealth.org. An over-the-counter antifungal cream can be used for athlete's foot, but if the fungus remains after six weeks of treatment, your doctor may prescribe oral antifungal medication. If the red bumps on you feet are accompanied by difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical attention. There are several topical, oral and laser treatments available for psoriasis, so your doctor will determine the best route for treatment.
Prevention
Syphilis can be prevented by abstaining from sex and having only one uninfected sexual partner. The risk of syphilis can be reduced by wearing condoms and not drinking or using drugs that impair your decision making. It only takes one sexual encounter to catch syphilis and physical symptoms are not always present. Hives and atopic eczema can be prevented by determining the allergen that causes your red bumps and avoiding it. Some triggers to avoid if you have psoriasis are stress, skin trauma, some medications and alcohol, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. To prevent athlete's foot, avoid going barefoot in public pools or showers and never wear another person's shoes or socks.
