FitSugar

You Asked: Should I Worry About These Bumps on My Arm?

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700

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.

Irritated About Bumps on Your Arms?

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:00:00 -0700

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.

Source

Keratosis pilaris

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:46:19 -0700

Illustrations

Keratosis pilaris on the cheek

Keratosis pilaris rubra faceii

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition in which a protein in the skin called keratin forms hard plugs within hair follicles.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Keratosis pilaris is benign, self-limiting, and often disappears with age. It is more common in patients who tend to have very dry skin, or who have atopic dermatitis (eczema). It seems to run in families.

In mild cases, small bumps, similar in appearance to "goose bumps," are found on the backs of the upper arms. The texture is that of very coarse sandpaper.

Bumps may also appear on the buttocks and thighs. Less commonly, lesions appear on the face and may be mistaken for acne.

Individual lesions consist of small, skin-colored papules that form within hair openings. The condition is generally worse in winter and often clears in the summer.

Symptoms

Fine, bumpy texture to skin over the outer upper arm and thigh or elsewhere
Skin-colored bumps the size of a grain of sand
Slight pinkness may be seen around some bumps

Signs and tests

Physical examination is usually sufficient for your health care provider to make this diagnosis. Testing is usually not necessary.

Treatment

Review Date: 7/18/2007

Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 2_1920

Eczema

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:52:32 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Eczema is a chronic skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes. Eczema is also called atopic dermatitis.

Alternative Names

Infantile eczema; Atopic dermatitis; Dermatitis - atopic

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Eczema is due to a hypersensitivity reaction (similar to an allergy) in the skin, which leads to long-term inflammation. The inflammation causes the skin to become itchy and scaly. Long-term irritation and scratching can cause the skin to thicken and an have a leather-like texture.

Eczema is most common in infants, and at least half of those cases clear by age 3. In adults, it is generally a long-term or recurring condition. Eczema tends to run in families.

People with eczema often have a family history of allergic conditions like asthma, hay fever, or eczema.

The following can make eczema symptoms worse:

Dry skin
Exposure to environmental irritants
Exposure to water
Stress
Temperature changes

Symptoms

Blisters with oozing and crusting
Dry, leathery skin areas
Ear discharge or bleeding
Intense itching
Rash
- In children younger than age 2, skin lesions begin on the cheeks, elbows, or knees
- In adults, the rash is more commonly seen on the inside of the knees and elbows
Raw areas of the skin from scratching
Skin coloring changes -- more or less coloring than the normal skin tone (See: Skin bnormally dark or light)
Skin redness or inflammation around the blisters

Signs and tests

Diagnosis is primarily based on the appearance of the skin and on personal and family history. The health care provider should examine the lesions to rule out other possible causes. A skin lesion biopsy may be performed, but is not always required to make the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment may vary depending on the appearance (stage) of the lesions -- acute "weeping" lesions, dry scaly lesions, or chronic dry, thickened lesions are each treated differently.

Avoid anything that makes the symptoms worse. This may include food allergens and irritants such as wool and lanolin.

Dry skin often makes the condition worse. When washing or bathing, keep water contact as brief as possible and use less soap than usual. After bathing, it is important to trap the moisture in the skin by applying lubricating cream on the skin while it is damp. Temperature changes and stress may cause sweating and aggravate the condition.

Treatment of weeping lesions may include soothing moisturizers, mild soaps, or wet dressings.

Mild anti-itch lotions or topical corticosteroids (low potency) may soothe less severe or healing areas, or dry scaly lesions.

Chronic thickened areas may be treated with ointments or creams that contain tar compounds, powerful anti-inflammatory medicines, and ingredients that lubricate or soften the skin. Systemic corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation in some severe cases.

Medicines called topical immunomodulators (TIMs) may be prescribed in some cases. These medications do not contain corticosteroids. TIMs include tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel).

Expectations (prognosis)

Eczema is a chronic condition, but it may be controlled with treatment and by avoiding iirritants. In many cases, eczema in younger persons disappears by early adulthood.

Complications

Bacterial infections of the skin
Permanent scars

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if eczema does not respond to moisturizers or avoiding allergens, if symptoms worsen or treatment is ineffective, or if signs of infection (such as fever, redness, pain) occur.

Prevention

Studies have shown that children who are breast-fed are less likely to get eczema. This is also true when the nursing mother has avoided cow's milk in her diet. Other dietary restrictions may include eggs, fish, peanuts, and soy.

Eczema tends to run in families. Control of stress, nervousness, anxiety, and depression can be beneficial in some cases.

References

Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004:41.

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:2458-2460.

Review Date: 7/18/2007

Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_000853

Ichthyosis vulgaris

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:46:09 -0700

Overview

Definition
Alternative Names
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Symptoms
Signs and tests
Treatment
Expectations (prognosis)
Complications
Calling your health care provider
Prevention

Illustrations

Skin layers

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Ichthyosis vulgaris is a common skin disorder passed down through families that leads to dry, scaly skin.

Alternative Names

Common ichthyosis; Fish scale disease

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Ichthyosis vulgaris is one of the most common of the inherited skin disorders. It may begin in early childhood, before age 4. In most cases one parent is affected -- and each child has a 50-50 chance of developing the condition.

The condition is often more noticeable in the winter. It may occur along with atopic dermatitis, keratosis pilaris (small bumps on the back of the arms), or other skin disorders.

Symptoms

Dry skin, severe
Scaly skin ( scales)
Possible skin thickening
Mild itching of the skin

The dry, scaly skin is usually most severe over the legs but may also involve the arms, hands, and middle of the body. Persons with this condition may also have many fine lines over the palm of the hand.

Signs and tests

Your doctor can usually diagnose this condition by looking at your skin. Tests may be needed to rule out other possible causes of dry, scaly skin.

Your doctor will ask you if you have a family history of similar skin dryness.

Treatment

Your doctor will recommend heavy duty moisturizers. Creams and ointments work better than lotions. Apply these to moist skin immediately after bathing. You should use mild, non-drying soaps.

Your doctor may tell you to use moisturizing creams that contain chemicals that help skin to shed normally, including lactic acid, salicylic acid, and urea.

Expectations (prognosis)

Ichthyosis vulgaris can be a nuisance, but it rarely affects your overall health. The condition usually disappears during adulthood, but may return years later.

Complications

A bacterial skin infection may develop if scratching causes openings in the skin.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:

Symptoms continue despite treatment
Symptoms get worse
Skin lesions spread
New symptoms develop

Prevention

If you have this condition, be aware that your children are at risk for developing it.

Review Date: 4/16/2007

Reviewed By: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_001451