Hello and thx for viewing my thread. This is a dermatology question, or skin in lamens lol. I have a question about these tiny "bumps" very similar to pimples yet different on the back of my arms...they do not hurt or anything, but you can slightly feel them and they are a reddish in color. Any ideas as to what my problem is? Thank you
Not sure what they are but I have them as well. If I use an exfoliating scrub or loofah on them everyday they go away.
They are basically like zits. Oil trapped within the pores resulting in minor inflammation, pretty much.
eczema (sp?) maybe? I get little bumps on my elbows sometimes, i used to have 'em a lot worse and the doctor labelled them eczema
I know EXACTLY what you're talking about and I've had them since Grade 4 and though they are much milder than they once were they're still there and its not like I'm a dirty person. I've done everything in power, and I don't pick them so I really don't understand why they're there.
No, they are different from eczema. They are, for the lack of a better word, zits. That's basically what they are pretty much. If you squeeze them, that white oil stuff(you know what I'm talking about) comes out. I myself have had them for a years and years and years.
Because you've seen jacobfredjo's arms and examined them thoroughly, right? We're just trying to toss out some ideas. Honestly the best bet (to the OP) is to ask your doctor about it
*pats* it's ok, you're forgiven. Just don't do it again (sorry for hijacking your thread jacob... try a good moisturizer with vitamin E (but no fragrances if avoidable) in it and ask your doctor at the next opportunity)
My son and I both have it too. It's called karatosis pilaris. http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/keratosis_pilaris.htmlvitamin
thx everyone for the quick replies. Do they occur in any other places on the body? And can someone acquire them from physical contact? Thx again...
my son has 'em. they appear to be ingrown hairs or something in the blocked pore family. I guess they could happen anywhere. spreadable? probably not. one thing that banishes them for a bit is an asprin scrub. literrally what it sounds like" dampen 2-3 aspirins in the palm of your hand, crush (should be easy, if not, add a couple more drops of water....don't go too watery) and scrub the offending bumps. if that doesn't get some improvement, pop into a doc for a diagnosis.
Aspirin scrub? That sounds interesting. I have had these since I was a little kid. In those days (back before computers and cars and electricity) doctors said it was a "Vitamin C deficency" but I don't think that's right at all. (Nobody ever gave me any Vitamins to clear it up, or even suggested "Hey, kid, eat an orange or something.") I'm gonna try that. Thank you.
keratosis pilaris is what my hubby has on the backs of his arms. "Keratosis pilaris is a skin condition commonly seen on the upper arms, buttocks and thighs. The skin cells that normally flake off as a fine dust from the skin form plugs in the hair follicles. These appear as small pimples that have a dry ''sandpaper'' feeling. They are usually white but sometimes rather red. They usually don't itch or hurt. Keratosis pilaris is unsightly but completely harmless. It is usually worse during the winter months or other times of low humidity when skin dries out, and may worsen during pregnancy or after childbirth. Treatment of keratosis pilaris is not necessary, and unfortunately often has disappointing results. With persistence, most people can get very satisfactory improvement. Initial treatment should be intensive moisturizing. Try a cream such as Acid mantle, Vaseline or Complex 15 after bathing, and re-apply the cream again several times daily. If this does not help, change to a medicated cream containing urea (Curel, Carmol-20) or alpha-hydroxy acids (Aqua Glycolic, Lacticare) applied twice daily - it may be too irritating to use more often. More aggressive home treatment can be done if ones skin can tolerate it. The plugged pores can be removed by taking long, hot soaking tub baths and then rubbing the areas with a coarse washcloth, stiff brush, or 'Buf-Puf'."
That's interesting. My sister and I both had that during adolescence, and it just went away around 18-20 years old... I remember asking different docs and getting different answers, from milk allergy to using an abrasive laundry detergent!
