Small Bumps Under Skin on the Hands

Small bumps can occur on your hands for a number of reasons. Depending upon the cause of the bumps on your hands, you may be able to treat them with items in your kitchen or may require a prescription medication. Before treating your hands at home, consult with your health care provider to ensure the proper course of treatment.

The bumps under the skin on your hands may form in clusters and can vary in size. They may feel hard or soft. Typically, soft bumps will contain fluid or pus. Harder bumps are solid layers of tissue that have formed a knot. The skin may flake if the bumps are hard and peel if the bumps are soft.

The bumps under the skin on your hands may appear as tiny whiteheads or pimples but could grow as large as a marble. The diameter may be as small as a pinpoint or as wide as half the girth of your wrist. The size of the bumps on your hands will vary depending upon the cause.

Folliculitis, or inflammation of one or more hair follicles, may cause small bumps to form under the skin on your hands, especially when an ingrown hair is present, according to KidsHealth.org. Furuncles are a form of acne that can occur on any part of your body, including your hands, according to MedlinePlus. Blisters may form, which typically develop under the skin and grow up and out, from activities that cause constant repetitive movements or friction. Calluses can also form small bumps under the skin of your hands or feet, which grow similarly to blisters as they become thicker. A ganglion cyst may also form under the skin of your hands and wrists, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. A ganglion cyst typically forms on top of a joint and contains a small bubble of pus. Dermatitis may also cause small bumps to form under or on top of the skin on your hands, arms, legs or other parts of your body.

To avoid developing a furuncle, wash your hands frequently to ensure dirt and debris cannot become clogged within the hair follicles of your hands. If you’re performing yard work, such as raking, or other repetitive motions with your hands, wear gloves to avoid friction on your skin to prevent blisters or calluses from developing. Ganglion cysts typically decrease in size with rest, according to the AAOS. Gymnasts, for example, develop ganglion cysts due to the repetitive motion, friction and stress placed on bones and joints while performing gymnastics.

If you develop bumps under the skin of your hands, seek a proper medical diagnosis prior to beginning any treatments. Some home treatments, such as applying lotion to what is thought to be a callus but is really a pimple, can worsen your condition. If you tend to develop calluses or blisters easily, talk to your doctor about preventing this from happening.