Child Has A Cluster Of White Non Itchy Bumps On Elbow. Any Idea What It Could Be?

Posted on Tue, 6 Aug 2013

Question: my 3 yr old has a cluster of white bumps on his elbow,any idea what it could be?Its been.there for about a month and he doesnt icth or acknowlege it

Answered by Dr. R.G. Joshi (2 hours later)

Hello,

Thanks for writing here.

Skin diseases are part and parcel of childhood disorders.Most of them do not cause any problem and cure completely.

White bumps on elbow without itching in children most probably point towards phrynoderma.

It occurs due to vitamin A and essential fatty acid deficiency.

Such bumps can be present on knee and buttocks also.

They are some what rough in feel and you can feel roughness over these bumps.

A photograph of lesions will be helpful in confirming diagnosis.There is a facility available in this forum for uploading a photograph.

Till then you can try following measures

1.Give him diet XXXXXXX in vitamin A .There are number of food items but common are milk,fish liver,carrot,tomato,spinach etc.

2Apply a mild emollient over lesions.

3.Check his eyes and whether he can see at night or not.Vitamin A lack can affect eyes too.

Vitamin A can be available in tablets and injectable forms but for this diagnosis needs to be confirmed.

I hope we can continue our discussion once you upload photograph.Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. R.G. Joshi (7 hours later)

this is what it looks like

Answered by Dr. R.G. Joshi (1 hour later)

Hi,

Thanks for follow up.

Lesions are skin colored papules.

It may be early stage of phrynoderma.

Other possible diagnosis is lichen nitidus.

It is a form of mild eczema and need not to worry much.

At this stage i will advise you to go for vitamin a XXXXXXX diet and application of mild steroid like hydrocortisone over affected area.

Watch for 10 to 15 days and let me know after 15 days.

Hope this will solve your query.If you still have any concerns feel free to ask.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. R.G. Joshi (12 minutes later)

Thankyou Dr. so if he eats a high vitamin A deit and i apply hydro cream daily shuold I see improvement?

Answered by Dr. R.G. Joshi (24 minutes later)

Hello again.

Vitamin A is always required in our body for proper skin differentiation.

It is used in many skin disorders commonly by dermatologists.

Hydrocortisone cream will allow faster resolution of lesions.

So my suggestion would be to go for it and try them for 1o to 15 days.

But if you have any doubts you can consult your doctor for that.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. R.G. Joshi (2 minutes later)

are there vitamin A pills or chewys for a 3 yr old?

Answered by Dr. R.G. Joshi (17 minutes later)

Hi,

Vitamin A is available in soft capsules and chewable tablets.

Soft tablets commonly known as aquasol capsules and they contain 25,000 units of vitamin A.

Chewable tablets contain 50,000 units but that is a much higher dose.

For young children soft tablets are prescribed.

There are no special tablets of vitamin A available for children.

Vitamin A has associated with side effects if it is taken in large amounts.

So it is recommended to take it under the guidance of a doctor.

Dietary vitamin is available in natural source and does not posses the risk of side effects.

so it would be important to go for diet supplement first and if no improvement then go for vitamin A tablets.

I usually follow this method to my young patients.

Hope this will solve your problem.Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. R.G. Joshi (2 minutes later)

thank you Dr

Answered by Dr. R.G. Joshi (5 minutes later)

Hi,

I tried my level best to answer your query.

I hope it would be helpful for your child.

If you have accepted the answer then you can close the discussion and give the ratings.

You can consult me in future also if you have any skin related problems.

Thank you.Take good care of your baby.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar