As long as I've known my best friend, she's been complaining about these tiny red bumps on the backs of her arms. She thought they were some kind of acne, like what you get on your back when you workout, so she went to her dermatologist to find out.
It turns out that it was a common condition called keratosis pilaris - a complicated name meaning bumpy skin. Actually 50% of people have it, so if you don't have it yourself, you probably know someone who does. It can be on the backs of your arms, your tush, and your thighs. The dead skin cells that are supposed to just flake off, get plugged up in the hair follicles. They look like tiny red or white pimples that have a dry, sandpaper feel. They don't hurt or itch, but they can make you feel self-conscious about baring your skin.
What can you do about these bumps? Use a good moisturizer twice a day - one containing salicylic acid, urea, or alphahydroxy might be your best bet. You can also take hot showers, let the skin soak a little, and then gently exfoliate using loofah gloves. 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 constant maintenance - if you stop, the bumps will come back. Since they're harmless, I wouldn't worry about them too much.
Fontanelli
Temperley London
Ikea
Using a lotion such as Lubriderm and Eucerin helps. The best bet is to usually get something from the doctor.
1DermaDoctor makes a cream especially for keratosis pilaris called "KP Duty." It costs quite a bit for a small portion, though. I've found that Lac-Hydrin lotion, which is only about $10 a bottle, works even better on my KP. You can buy Lac-Hydrin from your pharmacist without a prescription. Anything with lactic acid in it should help with KP (at least, that's been my personal experience).
2My mom first took me to the dermatologist for this condition 20 years ago. All my life I've had these bumps on my arms and thighs. When I was younger, I even had them on my face (mostly on the cheeks...thankfully that went away). At the time, the doctor prescribed a product called LacHydrin. These days, LacHydrin is available over the counter at your local drugstore along with similar products (they're usually on the bottom shelf of the lotion section in boring, clinical-looking bottles).
3I have had this since high school. Talk about annoying! I find that the best way to keep mine under control is some gentle exfoliating in the shower and putting a thin layer of vasoline on before I go to bed. I have tried oodles of lotions and potions and this seems to work the best for me.
4Thanks! Mine is pretty low-key so I've never really looked into - now I can do something about it!
5i had this problem in my early teens. i usually just exfoliated the area in the shower and it slowly went away. Now, when i'm scrubbing myself down, i make sure that i get behind my arms extra good.
6Thanks for posting about this. I do believe a lot more people have it then we realize (as you said 50%). I'm just glad I'm not along
7*alone
8I had these bumps for YEARS and it was really bad. It looked like I had a big red rash on my arms, legs and tush.
My dermatologist told me a few things that helped me get rid of mine. (I had to let him look at my behind as well- how embarrassing)
1. The SECOND you get out of the shower, use lotion on your body.
2. It's not about quality (or price, rather) it's about quantity. Don't be stingy with the amount. Most lotions are the same.
3. Use AM- Lactin, or Lac- Hydrin before you use regular lotion, it the bumps are resistant
I found that two lotions are really amazing, Suave Cocoa butter with Shea and Natural Oatmeal ( since I was slathering it on... I had to pay less)
I went back to the dermatologist and he was amazed I only used the suave and not the alpha hydroxy.
I recently wanted to deal with dry elbows so I moved to the Gold Bond Aloe lotion right after my shower ( in the shower). I now have soft arms and legs. But the key is diligence!
I now also use the Neutrogena Clearing body wash (it has salicylic acid) during my shower as well as the lotion after. My skin has never looked better or feel softer.
(And as a bonus tip from my dermatologist- if you want the best lotion for dry hands and lips- use Aquaphor... it's miraculous.)
9ARG. I've had this since I was 14. My mom didn't know what it was, told me it was acne and that I should pop the bumps to make them go away. Surprise! It didn't work, but now it's 10 years later and I still have the bad habit! I only found out what it really was a year ago.
10blah i have something similar to this..My father had it on his face,arms and back. Luckly is just on my arms. But the dematoligist said mine would proubly never go away,even with w/e creams/lotions she tries to give me =\
11I used to have something like this and the dermatologist gave me some special lotion. I haven't used the stuff in years and eventually, the bumps went away on their own...
12Had it since I was a kid. Sad thing, though--my daughter has it all over (face, arms, legs)--she's only 3 and has had it since she was a year old--doesn't have soft baby skin.
We call it our "bumpies". LOL
13Loofah gloves for the win! They have gotten rid of any backne, under arm shaving problems, and all ingrown hairs just stop coming!
14I also got these in my teens and have hated them ever since. I've gone to the dermatologist (no help) at all. The things that I've found clear my up the best are sweating (bikram yoga - go figure?) and some sun.
15thank god i don't have that problem, i can wear short sleeves all the time w/o worrying about bumps
16Thanks anony1111, I'm sure that makes everyone who has commented about this very happy.
17AVON MAKES A GREAT LOTION JUST FOR THIS, BUMPS ARE GONE IN 2-3 WEEKS. MUCH CHEAPER THAN SOME LOTIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM!
18I had gotten that once when I was about 15 and it was because I was without a loofah for a few months. I loofah everyday which some say is bad, but I find it to be ok. I have never once been without a loofah since I was 15 and that happened and I have never had that problem since.
19i have this problem. i go to a tanning bed sometimes and that hides it.
20my friend has that..I'm glad that I don't but I should tell her about this blog.
21My sister's naturopathic doctor had her take fish oil, omega 3 6 9 to help with this... and it did.
22I have been told that about fish oil too....I have exzema and I was told that also not bathing in scalding hot water helps (although it's my guilty pleasure) and of course lots of water!
23eczema whoops!
24ugh, I have this (it runs in the family)and I hate it. Being in the sun lately has helped, as does lots of moisturizing and exfoliating, and not taking hot showers.
25The best thing, i think, is this lotion you can get from Avon! it is a skin bump minimizer! it worked on me!! you put it on two times a day and in just a few days you see a difference! i love it!
26I have this too. Extra virgin olive oil as a moisturizer is the only thing that kept my arms feeling soft all day, but unfortunately nothing really helps with the redness except tanning. My arms sometimes turn purple, too, people are always asking me whats wrong with me. It makes me (and others) feel like a freak sometimes.
27Avon makes a lotion that cures this right up!
And it's cheap, too.
28I should mention, if you take the fish oil it takes at least a month to see results. But at least you are getting some "brain food" too.
29My sister and I have had this skin problem on our arms since we were young! I admit, it's unattractive, but it really doesn't itch or bother me physically.
30I deal with this too, it's a slow process. I am going to exfoliate in a cool shower right now & lather up my arms in moisturizing lotion.
31I've had this all my life. I think it's hereditary. My parents had it when they were younger and they say it clears up on its own the older you get. I've tried regular lotions and prescribed lotions, but nothing has made a significant difference. Exfoliating is probably the method that smoothes out the bumps the most, but it's still visible, like scarring. But I will definitely try the Avon Skin Bump Minimizer that people have recommended. This disease is so annoying and it h as no cure so I'm willing to try almost everything (except tanning)!
32thanks for the tips, i'll have to try these before i get to the dermatologist
33Ive had these bumps for years already. When i was 13 i said to myself 'by the time im 18 these will be gone'. Pfft. I still have them in my thighs, behind my arms and its annoying as hell. What helps me is lotion. I put alot of lotion and that makes it better. Aveeno lotion helps.
34im 15 and i dont think i have always had this
if i was to take a picture of my arm it would look just like this picture
above and worse
its all over my legs also
i hate it
its not the end of the world with this it just sucks if you were really short sleeves and if someone touches your arm there like what the hell
35I get these every summer! I have seen so many derms and they all say the same. (learn to live with it!)
36So a friend introduced me to Beauty Sprinkles and not only did it help diminsh my(KP)!!! It made my skin look AMAZING!!!! Get it!!!!!!!!
I noticed that the only time in my life that i didn't have this is when i was in mexico last year! My arms and legs looked so normal! i think it was a combo of the sun, being in the pool and sweeting which i was doing at least 2 at the same time! I've tried to convince my husband to move down there but so far no luck! Thanks everyone for your advice.
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