CN is Curious:
I have these little red bumps on my arms that my dermatologist says are a condition called “keratosis.” Do you know anything about this?
The Right Brain Replies:
You’re probably talking about Keratosis Pilaris, a harmless condition in which your follicles get plugged up and irritated. What’s surprising is the how wide spread this problem. An estimated 40% of the population suffers from this affliction. Here’s the quick scoop from The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology:
“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 particularly common in teenagers on the upper arms. It may occur in babies where it tends to be most obvious on the cheeks. It may remain for years but generally gradually disappears usually before age 30. 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.”
The good news is this isn’t a serious problem and it can be treated to some extent. If you’re worried about it, go read this and this.
The Beauty Brain’s Bottom Line:
Since so many people have this condition it’s suprising that the major skin care companies aren’t marketing products designed to “reduce the appearance of keratosis pilaris.” Maybe as the problem gets more publicity we’ll see a response in the market place. Remember, you heard it here first!
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
thank you this really helped but sometimes the red bumps on my arm will not be as noticeable or redden depending on the temperature or if im in the sun is that normal?
I have these too all over my upper arms and some are spreading to my lower arms… it deffinetly got worse since I’ve had my baby. I’ve noticed that they get better when I’ve been in the sun and start to tan or get a little pink. After a few days they are not gone, but are deffinetly less noticeable.
I have those bumps on my upper arms, buttocks and going down the back of my leg. It is very embarrassing and wish they have a cream for it. The summer is here and I am very insecure to wearing shorts or little sun dresses. My sister has them on her arms and she says that they are less noticable when she tans. I guess I have to stay out in the sun to cure it. I am glad to know what its called now.
I have this on the backs of my arms, and all the way round my ankes. It never bothers me, but I don’t like wearing things that show it off. I didn’t know it was so common, either. Tanning does make it appear less noticeable, but make sure you shower 1-2 times per day, and use lotion with minerals.
Gently exfoliating & then moisturizing the problem area will help!
Thank you so much for this information… I always wear quarter sleeved shirts and sweaters to hide them because I’m so embarrassed. And what I hate is that I’ve had them for like 3 years already (I’m barely turning 20. Besides that, a dermatologist told me, “Oh that takes a very long time to get rid off”, sort of like making it seem like it’s a problem without a solution. I’m glad I’m not the only one out here that has this and that it actually has a name, so thanks.
I am 35 and these red bumps have just appeared on my buttocks, no where else. Every 2 days I exfoliate with a medicated apricot scrub like St. Ives. Then every day I apply Aveno blemish healing facial moisturizer for acne to the spots. I own a tanning salon so I tan 3 times a week. Tanning alone doesn’t work. Within two weeks of doing this same procedure I can’t feel or see them anymore. And yes, there is no cure but it can be controlled.
i have these little red bumps all over my arms, even the lower part. and im always so embarrassed to show them,
i read in a magazine about this KP Duty crem and scrub. you can get it from a store called sephora, and i bought it. it has been working great, and im so happy. 
its a slow process but it works very well. i was in the sun the other day and when i came back inside, the whit bumps and the red bumps like dissapered. it was like magic!! 
but definitely get the KP Duty cream and scrub because it does work, and it is specifically for our problem. k.. bye 
omg i have this, im 14 and ive had it since i was like 7. it makes me feel so much better that other people have it to! it is very embarassing i never ever wear tanktops. also in the winter and almost turns like a purpleish tint. and i did notice it gets less noticiable as i tan ( a copule other people have said that ) iw ish there was a cure !!!
omg i have this too and i hate it …it makes me feel less confident in myself …i am so glad that there is somethin that can kinda help …i told my mom about it and she never believed me but than i showed her the bumps on my arms and she said lets buy the stuff that helps it and now we are going to the city to get it i’m so glad there is something to help me!!! thanks to everyone for their words of advice i appercate it
I tried buying this vanilla scrube from walmart.. I would do a ‘dry’ scrub (without water first) 2 or 3 times a week.. it worked wonders!!
It normally clears up on its own. When I was little I developed this twice. Once when I was 7, and again when I was 9. It lasted for about 2 weeks in November, and hasn’t come back since.
im 13 and i have them.I always wear jacket at school.I never take it off.I guess the only thing to do is start tanning!
Ive had this since i was 7 years old and i am now 18 years old ill have to try the KP Duty Cream and Scrub if we have it i hate wear shorts because of it and i always where pants because of it its only on my upper legs and my buttocks but its a little bit on my arms but are not noticeable but think gosh i no what this is called now and i no some ways to help it
ill try some of the ideas and i dont like how there is no cure for it but at least im not the only one who has this 
thanks for the ideas
Monique
Thank you all. I gratefully take your advice. I have had the bumps on my lower arms on one side and halfway up my upper arm on the same side. I’ve also noticed just washing my skin more with soap, it really helps.
ive had this for the longest..since i was little. i never knew what it was called.
i have it along my upper arms, buttocks and outter thighs. i get self conscious when i wear tank tops. im happy to know that there is things to control it. will be going shopping later. thanks everyone!
I have had this problem for years and I am 25! It is truly embarrassing and I hate wearing t-shirts and tanks because it will show. It is also on my thighs and a little on the butt. It has gotten much worse lately. A year ago I tried an acidic lotion that my dermatologist prescribed, it was expensive and did not work. She was not helpful at all with the problem and gave me no suggestions. Maybe I need a new dermatologist… I am definitely going to try the suggestions on this page. Thank you!
I was diagnosed with this in 1995. Back then my dermatologist prescribed this lotion (2 tubes 4oz. each for $80). My doctor warned me that it my burn (especially after shaving). I ran home, hopped in the tub, got out and applied the lotion. I then spent the next hour (or so it felt) crying my eyes out because it felt like my skin was on fire. Needless to say, I never used it again.
Since then I have learned to ignore it. I find that if I don’t draw my own attention to it, other people don’t really notice it. I sincerely hope that someone develops a product this skin affliction. I was 15 when it started and am 28 now. It doesn’t seem to be going away on its’ own.
I’ve had this since i was a kid. As long as I can remember, I’m 27 now. It’s on both upper arms, and from upper thighs to ankles on both legs. Recently, they’ve been forming little puss blisters, not really like a pimple. Mostly on the thighs, and a few on my calves. That’s embarrasing, so I always wear pants. From the looks of it, it will never go away, so I hope the 30yrs old thing it true!
I am almost 31 and got started getting it when I got pregnant with my daughter at 29 and then I got pregnant again right after my daughter with my son and still have them. My pregancy seemed to trigger the outbreak. I did tan for a while but the risk of cancer is so much worse than the bumps. I think I could handle the bumps better than I could losing my hair to cancer. The tanning does work to a degree, but since I have stopped doing that I noticed that if you get one of those foot pumice stones and use it with a scrub and lightly wash the area with both and then use lotion like oil of olay, I have noticed them not being as noticable. So I don’t know how long it will take to end it’s cycle since I am in my 30’s. My friend is 35 and she got them when she was 28 and she still has them??? Life’s little mysteries. =)
I have these bumps too. On my upper and lower arms, a few on my derriere and very sparsely on the back of my thighs. It is hereditary and my dad has them too. They are obnoxious and look horrible. I have found that popping or scratching them makes it worse but I have “thin skin” and can see the little hair just underneath the surface so I am compelled to free it. Sometimes the white head come out too. Its basically the whole hair follicle so the skin has to build a whole new structure or just scar over. It takes forever and that particular “bump” is raised and more noticible than the rest so I try not to do that. I have tried Proactive and it helps a little but it burns especially on the newly opened bumps and is expensive. I am in my mid 30’s and dad is in his late 50’s ….. so I doubt I will ever get lucky and have them go away on their own. I’ve come to the conclusion that there is more to life than fighting benign red bumps and am greatful for the blessings that I have. Hey does anyone have nice strong nails? (since this is a surplus keratin issue, I was wondering if there was any correlation)