Only ladies can understand the kind of damage a bump on the knee can do to someone’s self-esteem. First, you will not be able to rock your favorite miniskirt. And no miniskirt means no selfies, no selfies mean your Instagram page will be empty. I am sure that alone is sending chills down your spine. Hiding a knee cyst is very hard.
Apart from damaging your self-esteem, itchy bumps on knees and elbows can make walking a nightmare. They, therefore, lower the quality of your life and prevent you from performing certain tasks. A painful swelling of the knees can also prevent sports people from practicing and competing in their favorite sports.
In this article, we are going to look at types of bumps on knees, symptoms, and treatment. Here are the common bumps you expect to have i.e. A lump on the kneecap can signify one of the following problems;
Baker’s cyst symptoms, cause, and treatment
Table of content
A baker’s cyst is a fluid-filled cyst that causes swelling of the knee. The swelling occurs due to the build-up of synovial fluid behind the knee (inside a small sac known as bursa) [osmapatch.com]. sometimes this condition is called popliteal cyst because it affects the popliteal region.
The cyst can rupture on very rare occasions especially if left untreated. A ruptured baker’s cyst may cause the collected synovial fluid to transfer and travel down the calf and leg muscles. This can trigger other complications like rapid swelling of the leg [Wikipedia.com]
Symptoms
In some occasion, the cyst might not show any painful symptoms. A knee swelling without any pain, which is just a watery bump could be a baker’s cyst symptom. Here are the other popliteal cysts symptoms that you should look be aware of;
- Constant and prolonged knee pain
- A feeling of tenderness at the back of the knee
- Accumulation of fluid around it
- The joint here may click or bubble
- Pain in the knee if you flex it or when you try moving it around.
Causes
Baker’s cyst has got several causes. Sometimes the body can produce excess synovial fluid. This fluid can bulge to form bumps behind knees. These bumps are sometimes called synovial cysts of the knee. Other causes of popliteal cysts are.
- Arthritis– Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. It is more prevalent in old women and is known to cause Baker’s cysts.
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury – this is an injury that affects most sports people and can result in a knot behind the knee(s)
- A micro tear in the knee’s meniscal cartilage
- Other injuries that affect it.
Baker’s cyst treatment
Most often, Baker’s cyst is left untreated especially if there are no symptoms. But if the inflammation becomes very painful then putting some ice on the affected area is a very good baker’s cyst natural treatment. The ice will reduce the inflammation and soothe the area.
Your doctor may suggest surgery to drain the fluid from the lump under your knee as a form of popliteal cyst treatment. This is always the option if the Baker’s cyst is causing too much discomfort. At times steroid injections are also used to reduce the pain and swelling.
You can also take a break from activities that involve squatting, climbing, kneeling and heavy lifting if you have got Baker’s cyst. These activities make the pain and swelling worse.
Red itchy bumps on knees causes
They can be a sign of an underlying condition or just on their own. The red rash on knees can be scaly, patchy and unsightly. In addition, the skin around the affected area can look very dry. These bumps can be very painful. Depending on the cause, they can be pus-filled. You may get red bumps on knees and elbows.
Contact dermatitis
Red bumps on the knee can occur when the skin reacts to irritating substances. These could be soap, detergents, rubber, latex or a certain type of plant leaves. In the beginning, it is hard to know what kind of product is causing the red rash on your elbows and knees, because you might be using the product with other different people, but you are the only one with the symptoms. Animal bites and insect stings can also cause a bump under the knee.
Ingrown hairs
People who shave their body hair are more prone to get an ingrown hair. Ingrown hair is hair that grows in the opposite direction, that’s they grow back into the body. They are also responsible for a rash on knees.
Eczema
Eczema is a skin disorder which can present small red bumps on elbows and knees. It is believed to be a hereditary condition that is more prevalent in children though it can also affect older people. Apart from affecting the knees, eczema also affects the neck, wrists, and ankles. Eczema is very itchy and sometimes it may tempt the victim to scratch it. The result of scratching is more inflammation, itching and profuse bleeding.
Treatment for itchy knee bumps
There are several ways in which you can get rid of the ugly itchy bumps on your knees. Try out this home remedies;
Apply some toothpaste
Toothpaste is available in every home and apart from its normal role, it is a perfect remedy for a red rash on elbows and knees. Toothpaste will dry out the bumps and quicken the healing time.
Apply a thick layer of toothpaste on the affected area and leave it for 30 minutes, then wash it off with cold water. You will start seeing changes within a few days.
Olive oil
Olive oil is a strong moisturizer. it will keep your skin moisturized and prevent the spread of the bumps on your knees. Olive oil has also got vitamin E which helps in healing the skin. Wash ti first and then apply the oil and then come back with a testimony.
Lemon juice
Lemon has got anti-inflammatory properties. If applied to the itchy bumps on your knees, it will reduce itchiness by reducing the inflammation. For optimum results, apply the juice after cleaning them, at least one hour before going to bed. Ensure you only use fresh juice for this purpose.
A mixture of milk and honey.
Honey has been used to treat acne for a very long time, while milk is a natural emollient. A mixture of these two ingredients can work wonders on the bumps under your knees.
Take one tablespoon of milk and mix thoroughly with a tablespoon of honey then apply the mask to the affected area.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera has got a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which help reduce the redness and irritation of the red bumps on your knee cap and elbows. Extract the gel from the Aloe Vera Leaves then apply on the affect area and you will be on the road to recovery.
Warm compress
A warm compress will help to soothe the skin and reduce the itching and irritation. You need a bowl of warm water and piece of cloth. Dip the cloth in warm water and then wring it to drain excess water. pad the affected area. The secret here is consistency.
Prevention
If your pimples are caused by contact dermatitis, then avoiding irritating substances like soaps, detergents, latex is the only preventive measure. Also, ensure you stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Eczema symptoms can be reduced by avoiding hot showers and exposure to excess sunshine.
Dermatitis herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformis is a burning and itchy skin condition that causes clusters of small blisters and bumps mostly on the elbows, lower back, buttocks, knees, and back of the head. It is a very difficult condition to live with.
DH is caused by intolerance of the body to gluten and can only be prevented by avoiding the gluten.
Overview
Apart from what I have talked about, you could also be having a tumor behind your knee masquerading as a lump. Yes, we live in a world where nothing can be ruled out. It is therefore important to have a specialized dermatologist check out your problem. This is important if you have tried out the remedies above and the lump is not going away.
References
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/298953-red-bumps-on-the-knees/
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/dermatology/dermatitis_herpetiformis_85,P00276
- https://www.healthline.com/health/bakers-cyst#causes
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baker%27s_cyst