What causes bumps on legs?

Are you experiencing bumps on your legs that are seemingly popping up out of nowhere? Have you exhausted all options from scrubbing them off with exfoliators to concealing them with makeup but still, they persist? Well, bumpy ride indeed!Fear not. We have delved deep into the causative agents of these unsightly bumps and found some interesting nuggets for both informational and entertainment purposes.

What are Bumps on Legs?

Before we get down to specifics, it is imperative we understand what exactly we imply by ‘bumps.’ For starters a bump is defined as “a small raised area that appears on a part of someone’s body because there is something wrong” (thank our friends at Oxford Advanced Learners)Primarily in this context, bumps mean irregularities or small protrusions found on the leg surfaces ranging from mild ones like Keratosis Pilaris to severe types involving infection or cancerous growths.

Types of Leg Bumps

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of bump when it comes to legs as each type has different appearances; being informed about this enables proper management techniques so here goes:

Folliculitis

We start with an ingrown hair which causes inflammation and pus-filled papules around a single strand. Hold your breath ladies and gentlemen- usually happens after shaving (yes, men also shave)! In other instances, folliculitis occurs following friction during exercise or simply putting on tight clothing like leggings.

  • Common symptoms:
  • Reddish/itchy pimple-like bump
  • Occurrence mainly after shaving
    Folliculitis image

Candiasis

If Candida albicans wasn’t causing enough trouble, it now causes bumps on legs too! As if having to use up all those yeast infection creams wasn’t enough torture. Candida infections tend to spread from either the mouth or vaginal region and when not managed well can lead to skin conditions like candidiasis.

  • Common symptoms
  • Redness/inflammation around the affected area
  • Presence of small red-yellow bumps alongside other fungal infections in different parts.

Keratosis Pilaris

Also known as chicken skin, this particular type of leg bump seldomly develops past adolescence due changes in hormonal levels. The bumps commonly result from buildup keratin proteins that trap hair follicles leading them thicken and raise above their surroundings.
TMI alert: This condition is usually hereditary meaning a member out there might be responsible for your misfortune.

  • Common symptoms:
  • Tiny rough/ hard bumps resembling goose flesh
  • No pain experienced

Keratosis Pilaris image

Lipoma

If you love animals, things starting by “li” and “oma” probably send shivers down your spine; let alone Jokes aside though lipomas are non-cancerous lumps underneath the skin surface made up of fat cells which grow slowly over time. They mainly occur between ages of 40-60 years but hey age is just a number right?

  • Common Symptoms:
  • Soft rubbery protruding lump under the skin

CAUSES OF LEG BUMPS

Now that we have familiarized ourselves with some types let’s shift our focus onto what exactly makes these bumpy baddies come about:

Hormonal Shifts

As stated earlier, age onset ad puberty seem to cause significant upheavals culminating in numerous changes in the body including leg bumps like Keratosis Pilaris.Looking at it from another angle, had we not developed bumps to tease us during our teen years how would we have learned to embrace one of life’s most vital capabilities; getting comfortable with ourselves?

Skin Irritation

Skin tends to get irritated easily- this is why people prefer underwear that doesn’t feel like a sandpaper scratching up against their delicate areas. The downside however can cause bruises and lead onto conditions discussed earlier like folliculitis which isn’t particularly ‘bumpy’ news if you catch my drift.

Poor Hygiene

It pains me (not physically) when I see large swathes of people scrunching their faces up at the possibility of having a bath. Even worse some guys think owning soap means they already possess astounding levels of personal hygiene standards and wrongly assume that whatever fungus or bacteria won’t affect them due mainly to testosterone related reasons. However, skin needs cleaning or else impurities accumulate leading into complications- leg burns happen resulting in chronic growths on legs.

  • Fun fact: Did you know galvanism actually helps create top-notch hygiene levels?

Going through all sorts of agony and discomfort following discovery should make for more reason management plans should become top priority before they progress further.Here are common remedies:

Use Moisturizer

Moisturization
Dry skin worsens keratosis pilaris-bumps giving much attention upon moisturizing eliminates itching as well as redness but start by avoiding fragranced lotions and opt for those containing lactic acid.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating Legs
Gently rubbing substances like sugar and coconut oil or oatmeal on the skin ensures dead skin cells fall off easily hence reducing overall bump numbers.

Antifungal Medication

Most bumps caused by fungus call for specialized medication from a doctor; over-the-counter drugs might not cut it. Candidiasis, for example, warrants prescription antifungal cream which effectively tackles the root cause of infection while preventing other fungal infections cropping up elsewhere.

Laser Therapy

Laser Therapy for Leg Bumps

Ranked among long term options to consider especially when dealing with hair follicles harbor harmful bacteria led then into outbreaks.Aside from being costly, keep in mind no guarantee absolute elimination of said bumps.

With all that’s been discussed in this detailed account of leg bumps its pretty evident there exist several causes out there ranging from lifestyle changes to hereditary factors eliminating the need to blame oneself unjustly . A broad enlightening insight is necessary when choosing management techniques although medicine proves effective we shouldn’t ignore natural remedies as well.
If getting rid of these pesky bumps means never passing up an opportunity at proper hygiene and skincare routines , so be it!

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