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

[smzzz]

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. :)

[ihatecable]

I know this is an old thread but I have the same issue, exactly. I always assumed it was Keratosis pilaris- Chicken skin as my sister and I call it, a gift from our fathers genes-I have it on the backs of my arms and have assumed it is also what is on my legs/thighs/butt.

What works for me it making sure to scrub the areas while showering, and before toweling off completely rubbing in petroleum jelly which helps the moisture from my shower soak into my skin. I wear long sleeve pj shirts and pants to bed to keep from getting it all over my sheets.

I notice it gets worse the less water I drink. Maybe this will help someone out there looking.

WIKI- Keratosis pilaris occurs when the human body produces excess keratin, a natural protein in the skin. The excess keratin, which is cream colored, surrounds and entraps the hair follicles in the pore. This causes the formation of hard plugs (process known as hyperkeratinization).[2] Many KP bumps contain an ingrown hair that has coiled. This is a result of the keratinized skin's "capping off" the hair follicle, preventing the hair from exiting. The hair grows encapsulated inside the follicle.

[madisynn]

I have this EXACT SAME problem!!! The little bumps/scabs are on the tops of my thighs mostly, along with some on the back (but none on my inner thighs) and there is a hair underneath the scabs when I use tweezers on them. I don't know anything about diagnosing, but when summer comes around, this is what I do to get rid of them:
-Exfoliate!!!! I use Dove moisturizing body wash (they have it at Costco for really cheap!) and also use a pouf.
-When I get out of the shower, while my skin is still wet, I use tweezers to get most of the scabs off. This can take a while, but after I do it once, I don't have to do it again unless I find a new one, and removing that one just takes a second :P
-If I showered at night, I put on lots of lotion (usually pretty thick) and sweats and go to bed. This helps keep skin really soft, and I've found that putting lotion on every day helps keep the bumps and scabs away.
-I also shave my thighs
-The most important thing is to EXFOLIATE! I do it every time I shower (every day pretty much) and it really helps a lot. I also think that dry brushing would help too, but I haven't gotten a chance to try it yet!

I wish there would have been someone who told me all this stuff when I started looking for a solution a few years ago so I really hope this helps you!

[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.