Painful red bumps on your skin may seem like minor irritations, but they can reveal important health issues that shouldn’t be ignored. The most common cause is folliculitis—an inflammation of hair follicles often triggered by bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, fungi, yeast, or viruses.
It can result from shaving, friction from tight clothing, or trapped sweat and bacteria.
Folliculitis usually appears as small red or pus-filled pimples centered on hair follicles, causing itching, burning, or tenderness. Mild cases might clear up with good hygiene, but untreated infections can worsen into painful sores, boils, or abscesses.
Other causes include ingrown hairs, which cause red, swollen bumps when hairs grow back into the skin; contact dermatitis, a reaction to irritants like soaps or fabrics causing itchy, bumpy rashes; shingles, a painful blistering rash often on one side of the body; and heat rash, which appears as red bumps from blocked sweat ducts in hot conditions.
To care for these bumps, avoid scratching or picking to prevent infection spread, gently wash with mild soap and warm water, and apply warm compresses to reduce pain and draw out pus. If shaving contributes, use a clean, sharp razor, shave with hair growth, and avoid close shaving. For bumps caused by sweat or tight clothes, opt for loose, breathable fabrics and shower after sweating. Seek medical help if bumps spread, worsen, persist beyond a few days, are accompanied by fever or chills, become very painful or swollen, or frequently recur. Your skin signals your health, so early attention and proper care can prevent serious issues. When unsure, consult a healthcare professional to protect both your skin and overall well-being.