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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{ 43 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)
i have them to on the lower part of my left arm. i talked to my school nurse and she said that they are small blood vessles popping. she said dont worry about it but i dont think she nows what she is talking about. she did not help me at all.
You can try with a salicylic acid lotion, shea butter, mineral oil or petrolatum after showering. Physical exfoliation also helps (brown sugar, granulated coffee..). Theres different kinds and severity of keratosis, for that the same treatment will not work for everybody.
Doctors usually dont pay attention to patients with this condition, it may not be harmful but its important for those who have it, thats why we created a forum to share our experiences and treatments.
If you want to know more about keratosis pilaris please join our community where you can find hundreds of treatments and support:
http://www.keratosispilaris.org
I am 38 years old and HAD this condition for as long as I can remember. I found 3 products that work and I’m now 98% Keratosis Pilaris FREE!!!
I had read that apple cider vinegar works so I tried it. I used the raw, unfiltered organic kind (found in the organic section at the grocery store). I took a cotton pad and applied it on my clean skin at night before going to bed. Within 2 days my skin had a HUGE improvement! (ACV works nicely on facial blemishes also). However, yes, there is an ordor so I went in search of something else natural.
Two soaps worked very well for me.
Zum soap (I used the peppermint lavendar) had a wonderful effect on my skin all over, especially my arms. It’s a little expensive so I decided to try
Dr Bronner liquid soap (peppermint) and it works great also! I’ve been using this for a month and the Keratosis Pilaris is just about gone. Finally! I hope this post helps someone else out there – good luck!
Hi Lisa….Please respond if you can…I was wondering how long it took you for your treatment to work and when you finally showed results….also can you tell me your skin type and where you have kp and if it is severe or mild? Please respond. Thanks!
I’ve had problems with bumpy and red arms for a long time and I came across this lotion and the scrub called KP Duty by dermadoctor (you can get it at sephora) and figured I’d give it a try. The lotion and scrub makes my arms feel so smooth, I love it!! However, after about 2 weeks of using the scrub and lotion I didn’t see the difference I was hoping to see (which was for it to be completely gone..haha) so one night after using the scrub I decided to try putting some Benzoyl Peroxide 10% acne gel that I had on my arms, I figured I had tried everything why not try this (and why no dermatologist ever thought to have me try it I’ll never know) after only 2 times using it my arms look normal for the first time in years!!!! I don’t know why it worked but it did! I will continue to use the KP scrub and lotion because I think it works as a system (I alternate days using the benzoyl peroxide and the KP lotion after the scrub) but given the results I have to credit the benzoyl peroxide with the dramatic results I’ve had in 2 days, my arms are smooth and bump free I honestly can’t believe it. I’ve been so frustrated with this over the past fews years I had to pass on my find to other frustrated women!
I had no idea 40% percent of the population has this. I’ve had since fourth grade and I’m almost 19 years old now, and it has gotten worse over the years. To think that I have to wait til 30 for it to MAYBE disappear, is so depressing. I’v gone through a lot of heart ache over this obnoxious skin condition. I wish I knew some of you in person, because I don’t know anyone with this condition and it’s rough not having someone to understand. Thank you all for your suggestions because I refuse to believe that their is no solution to kp. It’s almost summer and I’m tired of automatically flinching when somone touches my arms. Thank you all so much again.
I have these too and I have been wondering for years what they were! This article REALLY helped me and I have noticed them getting better with Dove lotion and getting some sun!
ive had this since i was about 12. the sun helps a lot!! but i tried this new routine now. i scrubbed for thirty seconds with neutrogenas body clear, each arm. with a loofa. they appeared red, and i frreaked out. then they started to each. so i put tea tree therapy antispetic cream on each arm, about a nickel size, and rubbing it in for a minute. stil, they were red, but the bumps were definitely smaller. the next morning i woke up, the bumps were still small, but now the reddness had gone down a bunch. i have done this twice now, and i see a HUGE improveent. good luck.
thank you so much for this information it helped me so much i was so curious about what the little red bumps on my arms were first i thought they were from me being lactose and tolerant but now i know that i can treat them
=D
Ok i think i have this, i have Red bumps all over my left arm, they icth, nd im 17. do i have it?
Thanks to all … you’ve all been very helpful I too have these awful little sandpaper bumps on my arms (For Many Years). I have, like all of you, tried the dermatologist with no luck. So I guess I have just plain lived with it. But, my daughter also has it and is getting married in October and wants desperately to be rid of it so here I am searching for advice and I guess we’ll try some of your suggestions. Thanks All
I have these bumps on my upper and lower arms thighs stomach face chest and legs .I have had these bumps forever.I hate the feel of these things.I dont want to have them all through school.
Can I just say this is one of the hardest skin conditions to treat, I have tried everything to squeezing them!
I HAVE THESE BUMPS ON MY LEGS AN SUM ON BUTT I REALLY WISH THERE WAS A WAY TO VANISH THIS EMBARRASING SKIN CONDITION! !” I I WOULD LIKE TO WEAR A DRESS FOR MY HUSBAND AN JUMP IN SWIMMIN POOL WITH MY KIDS O
IN SUMMER BT INSTEAD IM IN JEANS ALWAYS PLEASE HELP ME HERE.
WOULD LIKE MY FAMILY TO SEE ME IN A DRESS BEFORE. I LEAVE THIS EARTH..
I have found a huge improvement in my upper arms since I’ve started this. I gently exfoliate my entire body with sea salts once or twice a week (you can buy a bag of ordinary sea salts and add some olive oil.) When I am in the shower I use exfoliating gloves and only exfoliate the areas that need the most attention which is upper arms for me. Make sure to change the gloves as often as possible. Use olive oil soap or any natural soap as they have no added chemicals so it doesn’t irritate skin conditions. Then every morning and evening I moisturise my upper arms with Eucerin cream. It’s available in most pharmacies. I know it sounds like a lot of work but if you want to minimise the appearance of the spots this is the only solution (that I have.)
N.B. When exfoliating “do not scrub” just gently move the gloves in circular motion. Let the gloves do the work. Best of luck.
Hey!! I have found a huge improvement in my upper arms since I’ve started this. I gently exfoliate my entire body with sea salts once or twice a week (you can buy a bag of ordinary sea salts and add some olive oil.) When I am in the shower I use exfoliating gloves and only exfoliate the areas that need the most attention which is upper arms for me. Make sure to change the gloves as often as possible. Use olive oil soap or any natural soap as they have no added chemicals so it doesn’t irritate skin conditions. Then every morning and evening I moisturise my upper arms with Eucerin cream. It’s available in most pharmacies. I know it sounds like a lot of work but if you want to minimise the appearance of the spots this is the only solution (that I have.)
N.B. When exfoliating “do not scrub” just gently move the gloves in circular motion. Let the gloves do the work. Best of luck.
Okayy well im 13 an im like freakingg outt i have little redd bumpss on my arms an legs ive hadd themm since i was little an i cnt get rid f themm i tried everythingg an its not working an ppl r strting to mke fun of me
i gess im gonna stat taning
Well this is a relief. I was getting worried i may have caught some kinda STD at age 16. But luckily not. Hurray for condoms.
when i was younger i was well.. fat 4 grade 150 lbs this was partially due to the fact of my father passing away 2 years earlier i developed the lil red bumps in my ‘chubby phase’ after getting over the death of my father i decided that i had let myself go to much and began working out 5 days a week my arms began becoming toned and some of the bumps went away, i do not know if that is a reason or not but just thought id share.
Hey guys,
At first I was a little scared about me having little red bumps on my Arms and my upper back….But now I don’t because i know that it’s not that serious!!!;)
lol well why give it a name if it’s harmless?!? damn.
I’m 13, I have had KP since I was little because my dad has them so it was passed down to me -.- I absolutely HATE wearing short sleeved shirts, skirts, shorts, tanktops, and dresses!!! I have KP on my arms, butt, thighs, and legs D: !!!! I am really self conscious to make it worse! Sometimes I think that I will never find anyone who will like, want to date me because of having this practically all over my body! I love winter because I have to wear jackets, coats, pants, etc. But I really want to be able to feel beautiful in my skin just like all the other girls at my school! I feel like they just flaunt their perfect skin all the time because of the cute shorts and tops they can wear that I can’t ): I always with I was born into a different body because I try everything to get rid of this!!! I wish there was a cure! ):