Red itchy bumps on the skin are a general symptom and can be a sign of harmless bug bites, chicken pox, rashes, or something more serious. While minor skin inflammations can be treated at home with over-the-counter remedies, it is important to check with your doctor when you experience irritation for an extended amount of time or if the red bumps spread, reducing the risk of infecting other people. It is also important not to scratch red itchy bumps on the skin to prevent infection, scarring, and further inflammation. Depending on the location of the red itchy bumps on the skin, lice could be the cause.
Red Itchy Bump – Lice
Lice can be found living in body hair and clothing. There are three types of lice: head lice, body lice, and pubic lice (http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/). Body lice are larger than other forms of lice (about the size of a sesame seed) and live in clothing, bedding, and on the skin. Severe itching, due to bites, usually is centered in areas where fabric is close to the body such as the waist, underarms, or bra area. Body lice can carry trench fever and other disease making it important to see a doctor. Pubic lice (crabs) are found in the pubic hair as well as armpit hair and eyebrows. Lice eggs or nits can be seen attached to the hair shaft. Most cases are due to sexual contact though rare cases of transmission may be due to coming into contact with contaminated fabrics or public toilet seats. In young children, it is also important to check eyelashes with a strong magnifying lens to ensure there are no lice present which can cause an eye infection (blepharitis). Head lice are common among children and are easily spread. Red itchy bumps on the skin of the head (scalp), shoulders, and neck is an indicator of head lice infection. Head lice are small and hard to see requiring a magnifying glass.
Treating Lice and Red Itchy Bumps
Treatment for lice varies on the type the patient has. In general, permethrin can be used for all types, either washing the clothing, body, or hair with a wash and/or shampoo. Body lice are largely a hygiene issue with frequent bathing and washing and drying of clothing in a hot dryer sufficient means to kill body lice. Permethrin is required to treat pubic lice as is washing all clothing, towels, and bedding. For head lice shampooing with a 1% permethrin wash can usually eliminate head lice when used along with a fine-toothed comb to extract nits.
