You're asking and I'm answering.
Dear Fit,
I've noticed these tiny reddish bumps on the backs of my arms. They don't hurt or anything, but I'm embarrassed because they look and feel so gross. Any idea what it is? I don't think it's acne because my face has always been pretty clear. Whatever it is, how can I get rid of it? Please help since I want to wear tank tops without worry about these darn bumps.
— Bumpy Barbara
It sounds like those bumps are making you self conscious, and when it comes to conditions of the skin, I do always think it best to visit a dermatologist. However, your bumps look like a common skin condition known keratosis pilaris, sometimes referred to as "chicken skin." This condition is quite common; about 50 percent of the entire population have this type of bumpy skin.
If those bumps are indeed keratosis pilaris, I have some suggestions and an explanation of the causes so just read more.
Normally as you go about your day, your dead skin cells are supposed to just flake off. With this condition though, those dead skin cells plug up your hair follicles. The bumps look like tiny red or white pimples, and they have a dry, sandpaper feel. Even though they shouldn't hurt or itch, they can understandably make you feel self-conscious about baring your skin.
If your arm bumps are in fact keratosis pilaris, using a good moisturizer on the area twice a day that contains salicylic acid, urea, or alphahydroxy can be an effective treatment. Taking hot showers, allowing your skin soak up the water a little, and then gently exfoliate using loofah gloves is also a great trick for keeping the bumps at bay. A dermatologist can also prescribe a topical retinoid cream (made from vitamin A), which may help promote cell turnover and prevent the hair follicles from getting plugged in the first place. Whatever you do, I'm sorry to say that it takes continuous effort and maintenance in order to keep your skin free of these bumps.
Isabella Oliver
Comfort
Basile
i have these! for me, after i've been in the shower for a few minutes, i do exactly what fit says...i take loofah gloves and scrub gently. then when i get out of the shower, i moisturize immediately. this is a daily thing for me. at least i'm not the only one who has this!
1i used to have these. key word: USED TO. i cured myself (well my derm did too). although it takes some time to exfoliate all this skin away, it's totally worth it. go to the derm, he'll give you this intense moisturizer with 40% UREA in it. it works WONDERS.
2i remember when summer rolled around i would literally cry in highschool bc i knew i couldn't wear tanks without having to worry. i even wore cover-up and powder on the back of my arms to prom! WOW... i remember how much i suffered and now that i don't have them anymore it's seriously a blessing. stay committed to scrubbing and moisturizing- you WILL see results! (also try washing your arms with panoxyl too it kills the acne like ones and speeds up the drying process)
I highly recommend AmLactin Moisturizing Cream by Upsher-Smith, available on-line or at CVS stores. My dermatologist recommended this cream years ago. Used daily after showering it reduces the bumps and keeps skin smooth. This cream also works well on feet, used as a night time foot cream it reduces ugly dry heels.
3I bought the KP Duty lotion by Dermadoctor and use that in conjunction with daily exfoliation. Cleared mine up, but I also agree with lilCROAT03 about the urea lotion--you can get that without a prescription if you just ask the pharmacist to mix it up for you. It was so bad when I was a teenager but as I've gotten older I've seen that it really does diminish.
4Exfoliation and plenty of moisture should do the trick. Don't worry, I get these too (especially when it's hot/dry, or I've been exercising or I'm flushed).
5i used to have them too!! my dermatologist gave me a lotion, and after 1 day i swear they were gone:)
6I'm lucky I never had these!
7seems like a lot of us had it in our teens? could it be from hormones?!
8AmLactin works and quick! The bottle will last forever, too.
9THANK YOU for this. i've had similar bumps on part of my calves and i HATE them. i exfoliate all the time but they still sometimes appear and now i understand what they are
that's a relief that i'm not dying or have some contagious thing!
10You can get either AmLactin or LacHydrin at any drugstore. Sometimes they keep it behind the pharmacy counter, depending on the chain.
40% urea is an awfully high concentration of urea. I'm not claiming that it doesn't work for this condition, but urea is a strong denaturing reagent that should be used with caution. I would try exfoliation and other lotions first.
Also, the condition tends to get better as you age. When I was little, I used to have KP on my cheeks, my upper arms, and my thighs. Now, I only have a few tiny bumps on my upper arms.
11I think it's genetic more than hormonal
My dad has it, and unfortunately my siblings
and I have it too.
12People gave good advice, regular exfoliating and heavy moisturizing helps a lot. I noticed going to the sauna was a good thing too, it really clears your skin.
My husband has them, but it improved when we installed a shower filter, now they come and go...
13I known people with them ..but I guess I was lucky to not get this...yet anyways
14Hi,
15I had them too not only in my arms but in my thighs too. My mom also suffered from it after I was born. My dermatologist gave me AmLactin and it worked like magic. Now I can wear tanks tops again. Good luck
I've got these. I have this method I've been using called "not caring." It actually works! Of course I'm also a guy, so my arms and legs are also covered with arm and leg hair which is, frankly, more noticeable than the mini-bumps.
16Oh God I have had this my entire life... and let me to tell you it sucks! I've always had them on my arms, shoulders and legs. Growing up was hell because I lived in the desert and wanted to wear tank top but couldn't because I had these horrible bumps all over my shoulders arms. Plus, the fact that I am pretty damn. Pretty sure it has kinda scarred me for life. I'm so glad someone brought this up! I'm totally gonna try some of these remedies. Dear God I hope it works.
17AmLactin works wonders for this and for severe dry skin.
18wow, i love you for writing about this. my dad and my have these and so do i. i couldn't find what it was... now i know. yeap, it's true that they become less visible if you take showers more often.
19ugh i hate my kp! not so bad on my arms anymore but it's pretty bad on my thighs. my derm prescribed Salex cream and i didn't seem like it was working but i'm going to take up all your suggestions!
20My parents never used to believe me for some reason that it was a condition. I've kind of gotten used to mine but I'm following everyone's advice here and getting some damn lotion!
21I have this on my upper arms and upper thighs too. I will try exfoliating and those moisturizers. Thanks everyone!
22I have this too - but mine is on my butt - SOOO embarassing. I'm going to go get some of the lotion and see if that helps. I usually exfolliate pretty well, so maybe that's the step I'm missing.
23Take fish oil... with Omega 3,6 and 9. It takes a few weeks but they will go away.
24I've had this since I was in High School. I used to pick at it, I'm of the picking personality just ask my face....not something anyone should do. I gently scrub my arms with a wash cloth and facial cleanser and then I moisturize with face moisturizer... I always thought it was similar to acne so I treat it like it was, it went away and I'm fine now. Still have the stigma that I don't want to wear a tank top out of insecurities.
25exfoliating for this can't be stressed enough. also, did anyone find that when you had a nice tan it didn't just cover it up but it actually cleared up?
26My KP was definitely worse when I was younger. Now, I only have a few on my arms (though I need to stop picking at them - they itch worse when my skin is dry, versus other dry skin). The AmLactin worked well for me, but it smelled gross, so I didn't want to put it on when my bf was staying over.
CMill38 - I did find that they clear up when I've got a little color on my skin.
27I get these more so in the summer time. Just like everyone has said, exfoliating is key. I usually exfoliate my entire body twice a week, but i pay special attention to this area. Afterwards I use Avon's Moisture Therapy Skin Bump Minimizer. It works wonders for me. I saw a difference in about a week.
28I've done some research on KP, because i have it on my arms, and my cousins, uncle and grandparents all had it. After researching some, it was suggested that it is linked to glutton intolerence, or seliac disease (wheat allergie). Every person in my family that is allergic to wheat has KP somewhere on their body. I haven't been tested, but my cousins are on a no wheat diet, and their skin has cleared up beautifully. Also, sun supposedly helps.
29my best friend and i have these anoying little things on our arms and thighs. we called ourselves aliens for a long time. hers are way worse then mine. i dont know about her, but i use lotion and i try to get rid of them i the shower. ITS SO EMBARRASSING!!!
30Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.