The small pellets on the body, which affect adults or children, usually do not indicate any serious illness, although it can be very uncomfortable, and the main causes of this symptom are keratosis pilaris, pimples, folliculitis and skin allergy. To identify the cause, one must take into account the place where they appear and if there are other symptoms, such as itching or redness of the skin in the region.
The doctor best suited to know the cause of the pellets on the skin and what is the appropriate treatment is the dermatologist, but the pediatrician can also assess children, and the general practitioner can also identify what is happening in adults.
Here we indicate the most common causes of the appearance of marbles in the body:
1. Keratosis pilaris
The pellets that result from keratosis pilaris, appear mainly on the side and back of the arms or on the butt, due to the excessive production of keratin by the skin. This alteration is a genetic characteristic, and therefore it has no cure, but when it is not properly treated it can become inflamed, if the person is messing with dirty hands, and lead to the darkening of some regions of the skin.
What to do: The balls tend to appear more frequently in the summer, due to sweat and the use of tight clothes. For this reason, it is recommended to wear fresh clothing, which allows the skin to "breathe" and avoid making exfoliations, as they can aggravate the condition. The use of body moisturizers based on urea, glycolic acid or salicylic acid is indicated to control the production of dead cells and to provide the necessary hydration. Learn more about keratosis pilaris.
2. Pimples or blackheads
Pimples and blackheads have the appearance of reddish spots and most often affect teenagers and young people, especially in the summer and can even cause some itching, especially when the body is sweating.
What to do: It is advisable to wash the area well and use products adapted for acneic skins, such as Acnase or Vitanol A, for example, to control the production of sebum and oiliness of the skin and prevent the pimples from becoming larger and inflamed. In relation to blackheads, the urge to squeeze must be resisted, because this habit can generate small scars that are then difficult to remove. Learn the best ways to fight blackheads and whiteheads.
3. Folliculitis
Ingrown hairs are another common cause of the appearance of small balls or bumps on the arms, groins, legs and armpits, which are usually related to razor shaving, but can also happen when wearing very tight clothes, which are rubbing against the skin, making it difficult hair growth.
What to do: You should exfoliate your skin frequently, especially before epilation and always wear wider clothes that are not too close to the body. When there is a suspicion that the site has become infected, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment to apply for 7 to 10 days. See more about folliculitis.
4. Skin allergy
Skin allergy can cause severe itching, which can even lead to the formation of small scabs or injure the skin. The allergy can be caused by some foods, animal hair, clothing fabric, different cosmetic products or some pet that has come in contact with the skin, for example.
What to do: The doctor may recommend treatment with an anti-allergenic agent, such as hydroxyzine or cetirizine, for example, and washing the area that was exposed to the allergen, in milder cases. In more severe cases, it is necessary to go to an emergency, as the use of injectable medications may be necessary. Learn more examples of allergy remedies.
