This is why you get those red bumps on your arms – and how to get rid of them
EVER wondered why you get those annoying red spots on your arms which look like permanent goose pimples? The rash, which appears as dozens of tiny red bumps packed close together, is sometimes referred to as “chicken skin”. The official name for it is keratosis pilaris – but don’t worry, it isn’t as serious as it sounds. […]
EVER wondered why you get those annoying red spots on your arms which look like permanent goose pimples?
The rash, which appears as dozens of tiny red bumps packed close together, is sometimes referred to as “chicken skin”.
The official name for it is keratosis pilaris – but don’t worry, it isn’t as serious as it sounds.
It’s actually pretty common and usually completely harmless, so there’s no need to visit your GP unless it’s causing you concern, according to the NHS.
The condition primarily affects the back of the upper arms, and sometimes the buttocks and the front of the thighs.
Less often, you may find it on your forearms or your upper back, and there are also rare variants of keratosis pilaris that can affect the eyebrows, face and scalp, or the entire body.
If you’re wondering how you ended up with it, you can lay the blame at your parents’ door.
It’s an inherited condition and usually runs in the family – if one parent has it, there’s a 50 per cent chance their kids will have it.
The cause? According to the NHS website, keratosis pilaris occurs when too much keratin builds up in the skin’s hair follicles.
Keratin is a protein found in the tough outer layer of skin, which causes the surface of the skin to thicken – hence the name “keratosis”.
WHAT IS KERATOSIS PILARIS?
KP is a common, harmless skin condition.
It is not contagious so you can’t spread it or catch it.
According to the British Association of Dermatologists, KP affects between 50 to 70 per cent of adolescents, and 40 per cent of adults.
The name is derived from the word keratin, and the Latin word for hair, pilus.
KP is characterised by white or red bumps on your skin, often on the arms, thighs and bottom, but they can appear elsewhere on the body too.
The NHS describes them as: “The bumps can be red, white, skin-toned or darker than your skin.”
The British Association of Dermatologists adds that the bumps can “look like goose bumps but feels slightly rough.”
KP is caused by a build-up of keratin blocks hair follicles.
The excess keratin blocks the hair follicles with plugs of hard, rough skin which widen the pores, giving the skin a spotty appearance.
Usually it’s worse during winter, or when it’s especially dry. It often improves in the summer.
Keratosis pilaris isn’t contagious and usually improves as you get older – sometimes disappearing altogether in adulthood.
NHS ADVICE FOR IMPROVING THE SKIN CONDITION
The NHS recommends:
- Moisturising your skin – ask a pharmacist what’s most suitable for you
- Using mild and unperfumed soaps and bathing products
- Gently scrubbing your skin with a washcloth or exfoliating mitt
- Having cool or lukewarm showers and baths
- Patting your skin dry instead of rubbing it after washing
- Consulting your pharmacist if these home remedies aren’t helping and the condition is bothering you
- Seeking advice if your skin becomes inflamed and itchy
While there’s no cure for it, there are some things you can do to combat it.
You may be able to improve the rash by using soap-free cleansers, as soap can dry out your skin, worsening the condition.
It also helps to keep the skin moisturised and exfoliate regularly to gently remove dead skin cells.
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