Itchy bumps on skin could be a result of various conditions, viral infections, allergic reactions to medications, food or cosmetic products, insect bites or contagious diseases. The location and spread pattern of your red itchy bumps can give a lot of clues as to what could have caused them in the first place. Check out this symptoms checker presented by MedicineNet.com to help you decipher the clues of your itchy bumps on skin.

Are your bumps localized to the areas on your hands, face, chest or you have itchy skin all over your body? Paying close attention to the size, color and exact location of the itchy bumps and to the events leading to them will help you and your doctor correctly diagnose your condition and prescribe the correct treatment according to Family Doctor.org and their symptom chart.

Here’s a brief listing of possible causes of itchy bumps on skin and remedies that will help alleviate them:

Fire ant bites manifest themselves in small itchy bumps on skin located in the open skin areas. Home remedies for such bites range from aloe vera gel, baking soda and even vinegar applications. In some cases oral antihistamines may be required. http://www.medicinenet.com/bumps_on_skin/symptoms.htm http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/health-tools/search-by-symptom/skin-rashes.html

Allergic reaction to drugs, foods, soaps, lotions, laundry detergent or cleaners can show up as dry skin rash anywhere on the body. Eliminating irritants coupled with systemic intake of antihistamines and topical aplication of steroid creams on affected areas should lessen the symptoms of itchy bumps on skin.

Psoriasis is usually localized on the elbows, hands and knees as white bumps on skin that are itchy and hard to heal. This condition can affect anybody and normally requires topical creams to soothe psoriasis scaly rash. In extreme cases oral course of anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.

Folliculitis is a condition of swollen red itchy bumps on skin that are sometimes filled with pus on the areas of groin, legs, underarms that recently underwent hair removal like waxing or shaving. A recent visit to a public hot tub could also lead to swollen bumps on skin. Normally folliculitis is treated with antibacterial washes and topical ointments, however in severe cases oral course of antibiotics and drainage of extremely large boils may be required.

Infectious disease like chickenpox will cause a large spread of small itchy bumps on skin that will start with face and neck and spread down the body rapidly. No treatment for the disease is available and all measures are directed to ease the symptoms of itchy lesions on skin by applying topical solutions and taking Tylenol to alleviate pain and fever.

Parasite skin conditions like scabies and lice will start with red itchy bumps on skin and can be easily spread from one person to another through sharing of towels, hair brushes, clothing and bedding. The normal course of treatment is application of topical antiparasitic solutions and oral medications in certain cases.

Fungal infections such as jock itch (in the groin) and athlete’s foot (on the feet) affect areas that are subject to moist and warm environments for prolonged periods of time and are common among individuals using public showers, locker rooms and pools. Fungal organisms trigger the appearance of red bumps, blisters and spots that later lead to extreme itch, swelling and peeling of the skin. Topical antifungal solutions normally help resolve the condition within a week or two.

As you can see itchy bumps on skin could result from a wide range of skin conditions that should be carefully evaluated by your doctor, so a proper diagnosis is made and a treatment prescribed.