Although small, black bumps on the legs, particularly a child's legs, are probably harmless, it's better to be safe than sorry. See a doctor to rule out the possibility of skin cancer and to receive an exact skin diagnosis. Treatments are available for minor skin conditions that are nonetheless annoying.
Causes
If you see small, black bumps on a child's legs, they may be one of several things. It's possible that they are dark hairs beginning to grow in at the onset of puberty; this is not a cause for concern, unless they are ingrown. Small, black bumps on the legs could also be moles, dermatofibromas, pyogenic granulomas or a symptom of a condition called seborrheic keratosis.
Moles
Although new moles are often a sign of aging, children can develop them as well. Most moles are harmless, especially small ones. However, a doctor should check out any mole that changes in size, shape or diameter. If your child develops an atypical mole, or one that is abnormally large or oddly shaped, he should avoid sun exposure, which can cause changes in atypical moles.
Dermatofibromas
Dermatofibromas are small, firm bumps that often occur on the legs. They may be dark brown or darkly pigmented, almost appearing to be black, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Caused by accumulations of soft tissue cells under the skin, they may be painful or itchy. A dermatologist can remove dermatofibromas surgically if necessary.
Pyogenic Granulomas
If your child's skin has recently been injured, one side effect may be pyogenic granulomas, or bluish-black, raised marks caused by swelling and excessive capillary growth. Pyogenic granulomas may go away on their own or be surgically removed. A doctor may choose to perform a biopsy to rule out cancer.
Seborrheic Keratosis
Seborrheic keratosis is a skin condition marked by benign tumors on the skin's surface. Although the condition is most common in people over the age of 40, ask your doctor to check for the condition if your child's skin bumps have flat, elevated surfaces that look waxy or "pasted on," according to the National Institutes of Health.
Ingrown Hairs
Ingrown hairs are a very common condition that may present themselves as small black bumps in the skin. Ingrown leg hairs are a problem for anyone who removes hairs via shaving, tweezing, waxing or electrolysis. Use a sterile needle to gently remove hair tips that have become embedded in the skin; don't tweeze the hair. This should ease pain and swelling, but medication may be prescribed for people prone to ingrown hairs or to prevent infection.
Member Comments