Those little red bumps on your arms...

How in the name of all holies to you get rid of them? My arms are getting really strong and good-looking, , but they just look like big sausages w/a rash! I know they're normal, but I've never read about how to get rid of them. Thanks!

If it's the same as what I have, it's eczema and like a dry skin rash.  You need to keep hydrated and lots of lotion. The Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic kind. 

I do always put lots of lotion on, but it's usually fragranced. Do you have a brand you like that works for you?

Right now I'm using Eucerin cream (thick stuff in a jar)  because I share it with my son who has a terrible version of it.  But I usually use store-brand version of Lubriderm.  The best stuff. 

Thanks, I'll give it a shot!

I have them too, and I've tried everything. There isn't really any way to get rid of them... sometimes people will "grow out of it"

Although I have found that taking Fish Oil supplements help reduce their appearance and kind of mellow them out... sometimes people say scrubbing and exfoliating helps, but I has never helped me out. It just seems to irritate it more and make the areas more dry :/

 

Good Luck!

aveno lotion is good too :)

I have heard that exfoliating the skin w/ alpha/beta hydroxy acids works really well. I have them too BTW...

They are called hyperkeratosis pilaris---there is no way to get rid of them!  They are a extra build-up of skin from proteins and if you exfoliate them--they will only return.  It's just a quick fix!  Sun helps them too--I usually "burn" them off in the beginning of summer.  I don't recommend, but that's what I do!  I have them on my upper legs, upper arms and stomach(ever since i was preg!)  I've been to numerous dermatologist and no help!  They say it can get better with age but I haven't seen it.  It's usually passed down too--both my parents and my sister have it and both my children have it--not as bad as mine but it's there.  They do seem to itch more in the winter and tight clothing makes it worse!

I know people who have this, myself also tend to get hardening of the skin on our feet too.  I've had problems with calluses since I was a teenager and that too is a symptom!!

I know a lot of people have them!  It's pretty common, it just depends on how severve they are as to what to do to help them!  Can't get rid of them but they can look better!!  Good luck!

My son has always had this; he just ignores it now. In a strange twist of fate I just started getting a little of it on the tops of my thighs. 39 years pilaris or whatever free then BOOM one day I wake up and there they are. I'm usually sun-phobic (I'm vain and terrified of wrinkles), but I think I might make an exception if I can burn this crap off with some exposure

I have the horrid things on my arms too. So I joined a community and read something interesting one day. I haven't tried it but I thought I'd share.

http://www.keratosispilaris.org/general-discu ssion/4742-worst-case-keratosis-pilaris-treat ed-naturally-success-story-page-76-a.html

Here's another one thats interesting.. http://www.keratosispilaris.org/general-discu ssion/4335-oil-pulling-treatment.html

I have them and my mom used to- she says they were a product of her milk allergy and when she gave up milk, the bumps went away too.  So maybe there's something else involved?

I've had keratosis pilaris on the backs of my arms as long as I can remember. What has helped is a) not picking/scratching at it b) using a loofah with body wash, lightly - not scrubbing, and c) Shikai Borage Dry Skin Therapy lotion (green bottle, I've found it at Whole Foods and GNC).  But when I get lax about doing this, especially in winter when my arms are always covered, it comes back.

I get crocodile skin on my upper arms sometimes, and I use baby oil in the shower on it.  I put it on after I get the soap off then let the shower wash and excess off.  It makes your skin super smooth and smells super yummy.  Then you can finish off with lotion when you get out!!  If it's a dry skin issue, this will take care of it :)  If not, it still can't hurt, hehe!  

Original Post by lyssalou76:

They are called hyperkeratosis pilaris

While this is one cause of those little red bumps, there are others also. The one I know of is Pseudomonas, which is a bacteria that is native to the skin. It grows in hair follicles and walls itself off so your immune system can't find it. If you can, you should see a dermatologist to determine the problem you have with your skin so you can get the right treatment. The wrong treatment might make it worse.

Hey i don't know if anyone has already said this, but my sister has that and she went to the dermatologist and was prescribed LAC lotion and they went away within a week or so!

I posted about this a while ago. As above, it can't be cured but can apparently be managed by exfoliating, essential fats, and moisturising. I've had good results with a body mitt. See my profile for the old thread because there were other suggestions on there.

As others have already pointed out, sounds a lot like a case of keratosis pilaris, which is rough skin on the back of the arms that feels like goosebumps. It's caused by extra keratin accumulating in the hair follicles. And the good news is that it CAN be treated through small changes to your diet or supplements. As the condition is caused from a fatty acid deficiency, you can try to get rid of it by eating more oily fish. Or if you're a vegetarians, you could eat a handful of linseed every day or use linseed oil in dressings. Or you could supplement your diet if you're unable to consume more (but with the caveat that consumption is recommended over supplementing every time!), you could take multivitamins containing omega-3 and -6. Though, with the addition of the oily fish and/or linseed along, you will probably see a change within the first two weeks.

For more information about managing the dry skin associated with Keratosis Pilaris (KP) visit littleredbumps.com.

Hope that helps!

I have KP as well. If I'm going to wear an outfit that bares my arms I just use this honey almond sugar scrub in the shower, it works like a charm. It always makes my arms feel so smooth for a day or so. Though, I have noticed it's starting to clear up (after many long embarassing teenage years haha.)