5 Common Causes of Elbow Pain, Swelling, or Rash Overview

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

Published By: MediFind Medical Staff

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What causes pain, swelling, or rash on my elbow?

There are many reasons why you might be experiencing pain, swelling, or rash on your elbow. MediFind shares 5 common causes below. It is important to seek medical attention for an accurate diagnosis, and MediFind can help. Learn more about how MediFind works here. You can also enter your symptoms into MediFind’s Symptom Checker to receive customized results.  

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is pain or soreness on the outside (lateral) area of the upper arm near the elbow. The part of the muscle that attaches to bone is called a tendon. Small tears may develop in the tendon when you use these muscles a lot. This injury is common among tennis players, but any activity that involves repetitive twisting of the wrist (such as cooking, cleaning, or building) can cause tennis elbow. Symptoms include weakened grip, elbow pain that gets worse over time, or discomfort in the forearm and back of the hand during grasping or twisting. Treatments include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, counterforce braces, cortisone injections, or surgery. Orthopedics can help with tennis elbow. Find one nearby here.

Elbow (Olecranon) Bursitis 

Elbow bursitis occurs in the olecranon bursa. The olecranon bursa is a thin, fluid-filled sac at the boney tip of the elbow (the olecranon). Normally, the olecranon bursa is flat, but sometimes, it becomes inflamed. When this happens, extra fluid will build up in the bursa. This is what causes olecranon bursitis. Elbow bursitis can happen from trauma, such as a hard blow to the tip of the elbow or prolonged pressure like leaning on the tip of the elbow on hard surfaces over long periods of time. Symptoms include pain, redness, or warmth to the touch. To diagnose olecranon bursitis, your provider may recommend an x-ray or take a small sample of bursal fluid with a needle. An orthopedic doctor can treat olecranon bursitis. Find one near you here.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) inflammatory skin condition. The immune system becomes overactive, causing skin cells to multiply too fast. This leads to raised, flakey, inflamed patches on the skin. Psoriasis can look red, purple, or gray depending on skin tone. You may feel itchy, sore, or a burning sensation on the skin. Psoriasis can happen anywhere on the body, but it usually appears on the scalp, elbows, knees, and torso. Psoriasis comes in cycles. Flare-ups and remission periods can last anywhere from days to months. Treatments include topical ointments, light therapy, oral or injected medications, and alternative therapies. There are different types of psoriasis. You will need to see a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis. Find one near you here.

Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis. It usually affects the big toe, but it can happen in any joint, including the elbow joint. Gout happens when uric acid builds up in the blood and causes inflammation in the joints. This may occur if your body makes too much uric acid or has a hard time getting rid of uric acid. Uric acid is a chemical created when the body breaks down substances called purines. When uric acid builds up in the fluid around the joints (synovial fluid), uric acid crystals form. These crystals cause the joint to become inflamed, causing pain, swelling, and warmth. There are many treatments for gout, including over-the-counter pain relievers and prescribed medications to decrease uric acid in the body. A rheumatologist treats inflammatory joint conditions like gout. Find one nearby here.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease. It affects the lining of joints in the hands, wrists and knees, but it can also affect the elbow. RA causes chronic pain, swelling, decreased movement, bone erosion, and joint deformities. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, dry eyes, dry mouth, and joint stiffness. Some people with RA have lumps under the skin of the elbows or hands. These are called rheumatoid nodules. While there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, there are treatments. These include steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and surgery. A rheumatologist treats RA. Find one nearby here.

Other possible causes may include: 

  • Elbow Fracture 
  • Ligament Injury in the Elbow 

Understanding the Results

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Differences in Age Groups

Elbow pain, swelling, or rash can vary in appearance and causes across different age groups. 

Differences among Men and Women

Men and women can both experience pain, swelling, or rash on the elbow. Symptoms may vary based on lifestyle and preexisting conditions.