The types of skin diseases are very diverse. They differ in location, nature, nature and degree of manifestation. The most common skin reactions are rashes and redness. Thus, the skin often reacts to certain types of allergens, as well as certain diseases. It is especially unpleasant when the skin begins to redden and peel on the elbow or knees, because this situation often leads to microtraumas and significantly affects the quality of life. If you don’t know why redness appears on the bend of the elbow, why they are dangerous and how to deal with them, but would really like to know, then this article is just for you.
Red spots on the hands not only indicate the presence of obvious health problems, but also cause internal discomfort due to their lack of aesthetics. Having such imperfections, you have to limit yourself in your choice of clothes and activities. However, in order to definitely get rid of such troubles, it is worth understanding the problem deeper.
Causes of redness
In order to determine with high accuracy the cause of unpleasant stains, it is necessary to contact a specialist. Even outwardly similar spots can be the result of completely different pathologies. Accurate diagnosis of redness in the bend of the elbows in an adult requires a thorough examination, as well as tests, since they can cause many types of pathologies.
Psoriasis
Most often, psoriasis is considered as the main type of ailment for redness. This is a chronic disease that cannot be completely cured. The patient can only relieve the symptoms using well-chosen therapy. In the acute period, psoriasis is characterized by the appearance of peeling in the form of large scales and itching. Some factors can trigger a relapse:
- consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- poor nutrition;
- some types of household chemicals;
- some medications;
- climatic conditions;
- season.
As soon as the first signs of the disease are detected, it is advisable to begin the fight against it . In this case, there is a high probability of slowing down the process at the initial stage, then the affected area will be minimal.
Hypothyroidism
When the body stops producing thyroid hormone in normal quantities, diseases called hypothyroidism appear. It is characterized by reduced circulatory activity and a weakening of many biological functions of the body. This dynamic causes the development of various pathologies.
One of the obvious visual manifestations of hypothyroidism is the appearance of dark, scaly spots on the elbows. To refute or confirm this disease, it is necessary to take a test to determine the level of thyroid hormone in the blood. If its content exceeds the norm, then we can talk about the presence of a deviation. In this case, therapy is carried out by an endocrinologist. The main signs of the disease can be treated with medication; special creams and ointments are used to get rid of skin reactions.
Hives or allergic rash
Another leader in the presence of red spots on the body is urticaria or an allergic reaction. Its characteristic feature is raised red spots. This rash occurs for several reasons:
- direct contact with the allergen and subsequent reaction at the site of contact;
- reaction of the immune system to a medical drug or product. In this case, the localization is varied, and the reaction itself is noticeable after a day or two.
With urticaria, redness on the elbows in older people and in younger patients is bothersome with itching and swelling.
As the rash heals, it takes on a scaly texture.
During the treatment process, medications and medicinal ointments are used, and contact with the allergen is also excluded.
Other infectious pathologies
There are other types of diseases whose symptoms are similar. In this case, pathologies are caused by a virus, parasite or fungus. Among the most common:
- scabies. It is provoked by the scabies subcutaneous mite. To become infected you must have contact with a carrier. A characteristic feature is nodular paired rashes;
- lichen. Caused by a virus or fungus. The rashes, which vary in color, are localized in different places of the body, often on the stomach, thighs, and back.
- dermatitis, eczema. This inflammatory process occurs due to hormonal imbalance, an allergic reaction, and a weakened immune system. Manifestations most often take the form of white, scaly spots;
- candidiasis, mycosis. The lesion is fungal in nature and most often finds itself in the perineum, armpits, elbow bends, and so on. As a rule, a small rash appears in large foci, which itches and flakes off.
Thus, in order to make a diagnosis as reliably as possible, it is necessary to undergo an analysis, often even more than one. Attempts to independently treat redness on the inside of the elbows in an adult often not only do not help, but also aggravate the situation.
Diabetes
In diabetes mellitus, the function of the endocrine system is disrupted and an imbalance occurs in the production of the hormone insulin. Glucose, entering the blood, is not processed properly, but accumulates. This causes metabolic disorders, provokes dehydration, dryness, the appearance of spots and rashes. A particularly characteristic sign of the presence of diabetes mellitus is the appearance of flaky spots on the elbow.
Dysbacteriosis
With poor diet and lifestyle, a person often develops dysbiosis. With this disease, metabolism is disrupted due to a disorder of the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract. Such dynamics disrupt the usual process of removing toxins from the body. Against the background of pathology, as well as a lack of vitamins and other useful microelements, all sorts of manifestations occur on the skin in the form of pigmentation, spots, redness on the inside of the elbow. In this case, it is necessary to approach therapy comprehensively and work on the overall health of the body.
How to distinguish allergies from dermatological diseases?
All skin reactions characterized by rash, itching, redness, peeling can be equally related to allergic reactions or dermatological pathologies. It is impossible to determine a specific case with one hundred percent certainty only on your own. It is imperative to contact a specialist who, using a comprehensive diagnostic method, will be able to determine the disease.
Don’t rush to diagnose yourself, but still pay attention to what new foods may have appeared in your diet. you have been prescribed a new drug, and the rash is an allergic reaction to its components. If the possibility of allergies is excluded, then we can talk about dermatological diseases. In any case, to begin treatment for inflammation of the elbow with redness, you must contact the appropriate specialist as soon as possible, namely a dermatologist, who, if necessary, can refer you to other doctors, depending on the results of the studies.
Prevention measures
The modern rhythm of life obliges many of us to move a lot and actively, undergoing physical activity. As a result, even the strongest joints may not be able to withstand it, so you need to take care of yourself in advance.
When performing long periods of work, be sure to take short breaks to rest. In addition, you should follow a few simple rules:
- massage your hands after a long period of hard work;
- monitor proper nutrition;
- do not overstrain your hand joints;
- do not abuse alcoholic beverages;
- limit consumption of strong tea and coffee.
In order to promptly identify a possible disease and prevent complications, you should undergo periodic examinations by specialists. The doctors of our clinic will conduct a detailed examination, prescribe additional examinations if necessary, and after determining an accurate diagnosis, they will certainly give practical recommendations for treating the disease.
General rules and methods of treatment
This or that principle of treatment is selected depending on the nature of the disease itself, but there are some general norms. So, if it is known for sure that the cause of the rash is an allergy, it is imperative to exclude the possibility of repeated contact with the allergen. They also start taking antihistamines, which are prescribed by the attending physician.
To relieve local reactions on the skin, special creams, ointments and gels are widely used. There are a large number of similar drugs and they all have a different nature of action, so it is important in this case not to self-medicate, but to trust the opinion of a specialist. Peeling often occurs on the hands, which can also be treated with ointments; you will find more detailed information on this topic in the article “Causes and methods of caring for dry elbows.” Unwanted skin rashes can be caused by various factors, and serious problems cannot be excluded, which is why it is so important to contact the appropriate institutions in a timely manner.
Traditional medicine recipes
Some types of rashes can be successfully treated with traditional methods using lotions. Celandine is most often used, since this plant has a whole range of beneficial properties, including bactericidal, wound healing, and antifungal. The easiest way to prepare the plant for use is to pour boiling water over a tablespoon of celandine, leave for half an hour, and then use the resulting infusion as a lotion. Coltsfoot, chamomile, wild rosemary and chicory are used in the same way.
In addition to infusions and decoctions, herbs are used to make rubs. For example, take dried geranium leaves and add them to olive oil. Let the mixture brew for a week in a cool, dark place, and then move the container to normal daylight for a month. After this, rub the resulting oil onto the problem areas.
In addition to this homemade oil, pay attention to pharmacy essential oils: tea tree, rose, jasmine. They also do an excellent job. But remember that treatment of elbow inflammation with folk remedies must begin with checking for allergies.
What examinations are carried out
The ailments described above have many common symptoms, so even an experienced doctor may find it difficult to make an accurate diagnosis based on examination alone. The following diagnostic methods are used:
- Tests: general and biochemical blood test, urine test. Helps to exclude concomitant diseases.
- MRI is a highly accurate method for diagnosing joints with an information content of up to 99%.
- X-ray examination - allows you to determine the thinning of cartilage tissue, the formation of bone growths and narrowing of the joint lumen
- Ultrasound - indicated for inflammation and damage to soft tissues, muscles, ligaments, tendons.
Correctly prescribed examinations allow you to get a clear picture of the disease, help determine the cause of soft tissue swelling and pain, and also select the right treatment.
Useful tips
The best option in any situation is to try to prevent the disease. Pay close attention to your diet, do not neglect the recommendations of doctors, take care of your hygiene, your well-being, and in case of the slightest deviation from the norm, always consult a doctor.
If redness has already appeared, and the doctor has not yet prescribed treatment, try to exclude everything harmful, in your opinion, from your diet and everyday life. It is advisable not to overdry already injured skin, so use gentle shower foams and brushes, washcloths, etc. on the damaged areas. The use of soft scrubbing agents, as well as light nourishing creams, is allowed. However, to answer the question of why redness appeared on the bend of your elbow specifically for you, you will still have to turn to a professional.
Treatment of pain in the elbow joint
What to do if your arm hurts and is swollen from shoulder to elbow? First of all, you need to see a doctor. The treatment concept is based on the use of the following techniques:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs. To eliminate the inflammatory process, relieve swelling and relieve pain, analgesics, antibacterial agents, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (tablets for oral administration, ointments for topical use) are used. In severe cases, glucocorticoid hormones and intramuscular injections are prescribed.
- Restorative drugs - chondroprotectors and vitamin-mineral complexes - are used in the treatment of the spine and joints. With long-term use, they help restore and preserve cartilage tissue, slow down the process of destruction of articular cartilage.
- Physiotherapy - complements the main treatment and helps to quickly alleviate the patient’s condition: ultraviolet and ultrasound irradiation, electrophoresis with novocaine, salt and pine baths.
Massage, in the absence of contraindications, also helps reduce pain in the elbow due to spinal osteochondrosis, overexertion and muscle spasms. Therapeutic exercises help speed up the healing process. When performing special exercises, blood circulation and lymph flow in the problem area are improved, and muscle function is activated.
