Small red bumps on your legs may involve infections or irritation around your hair follicles in that area. Small red bumps may quickly subside by adjusting your environment, but others may require over-the-counter medication or medical treatment. Visit your doctor any time changes occur on your legs or any other part of your body that are unexplained or continue to get worse. Your doctor can prescribe the appropriate treatment for your specific condition.
Types
Ingrown hairs may look like small red bumps that appear on your legs after shaving or tweezing hair in that area. Pseudomonas folliculitis may cause small red bumps on your legs or anywhere else on your body. Heat rash may also appear as small red bumps on your legs or other parts of your body.
Symptoms
Ingrown hairs are small, solid bumps that may fill with pus and that cause irritation and may redden with inflammation. . Pseudomonas folliculitis may form a rash of red, round, itchy bumps on your skin within eight hours of exposure to the pseudomonas bacteria; the bumps may also fill with pus.Heat rash occurs after you are exposed to hot environments and appears worse on areas of your body that are covered such as your legs. A heat rash may cause many small red bumps that itch or sting intensely all over your body.
Causes
Ingrown hairs form when a shaved or pricked hair grows back at an angle and reenters your skin. According the MayoClinic.com, curved hair follicles may be the cause of ingrown hairs. Pseudomonas folliculitis is also known as "hot tub folliculitis," because you may contract an infection in hot tubs with poorly regulated chlorine levels. A high fever, excessive sweating or wearing too much clothing may contribute to heat rash. You may develop heat rash if you are new to a hot, humid or tropical environment.
Treatment
You can inhibit ingrown hairs by avoiding shaving, tweezing or waxing. The MayoClinic.com recommends laser hair removal for ingrown hairs, because this treatment completely removes the hair follicle. Pseudomonas folliculitis may subside on its own without treatment, but your doctor may prescribe anti-pruritic medication to help relieve itching. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce fever associated with heat rash. Cool environments with air conditioning can help reduce heat rash and your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if an infection accompanies your heat rash.
Prevention
Prevent ingrown hairs on your legs by avoiding shaving your legs too closely, using a sharp blade and wetting hair with warm water before you remove it. Use lubricating shaving gel, a sharp blade and do not pull your skin taut while shaving to avoid ingrown hairs. Prevent contracting pseudomonas by maintaining your hot tub or jacuzzi and only using commercial hot tubs if you are certain that they are well maintained. Avoid heat rash by drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated and to keep your body temperature from getting too high. Control heat and humidity in your environment and avoid wearing too much clothing.
Member Comments