arm acne?

I have had these red spots on my arms just above my forarm for about five years.  Sometimes they are hardly noticable, other times they are bright red, sometimes they turn into pimples, but most of the time they are just red dots.  Have any ideas on how to get rid of them and what they are?  i dont get them under my arm.

I dont have acne anywhere else on my body.

male age23

I have taken pictures to help you out:
http://home.cfl.rr.com/brentk/

Thanks!
-Brent

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Good picture.

That's keratosis pilaris, a hereditary condition characterized by bumps of keratin protein in the hair openings.  Common on the upper arms--keep your eyes open during short sleeve weather and you'll see lots of fellow owners.

They aren't pimples, just part of you.  You can smooth down the bumps by exfoliating daily with a loofah or Buf Puf sponge (in the drugstore.)

Frankly, most people, especially men, don't find the effort worthwhile, because the bumps come back.  They're part of you.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[imtigger2]

Brent -

I have the exact same condition and it's really just irritating cosmetically with being itchy and dry VERY rarely.  I've found over the 20-some years that it's 'bugged' me, that there are no lotions or medicines that are worth even using.

Visually, you can decrease the appearance of them via radiation (like being out in the sun), but it's getting rid one of one problem by possibly creating another (skin cancer).   I usually use sun block on all other parts of my body, but not my upper arms and I love how smooth they get and how nice it looks with a tan.   In doing that, I have my dermatologist keeping an eye out for any cancer with regular checkups.

Hope the info helps, take care..

Dan

P.S.  Dr. Rockoff, any chance you could possibly re-visit my question from 06/14?  I requested a little more elaboration on my condition, if you wish to address it that is...  thanks!  :)

[atims]

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