New and need help! Why do I have tiny bumps/scabs on my legs?

Hi everyone, I just discovered this site and I'm glad to have found it!
For years the fronts of my legs (mostly the thighs) have had small bumps all over, and some of them are tiny scabs. Mostly I just leave them alone because I never wear shorts anyways, but it's really starting to bug me. If I take a pair of tweezers to one, the scab usually pops out with a tiny little hair on it. These are ingrown hairs, right? But when I started looking at the posts here about ingrown hairs, most people are talking about getting just one at a time. Is there a lotion I could use or something?!
Thanks anyone for your thoughts. :)

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination,confirmation of a diagnosis is tough but it sounds like folliculitis or ingrown hair.

Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles.It starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing or blockage of the follicle. In most cases of folliculitis,the damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph).
Pls keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove.Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful.In case the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics may be needed.Pls consult a dermatologist in that case.
Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.