pimple like small bumps on triceps - no where else

2 of our children have a rash/pimple like outbreak on their triceps that have been there for a few years.  As they grow older (boy 15, boy 11 and girl 13(although she has very few of these...she swims USS swimming all the time year round))

Older boy is bothered by them and proceeds to 'pop' the 'zits', which there is whitish discharge from them.  I am of the belief they are dry skin in addition to needing to use a washcloth or zufa (which they don't use... as best as I can assume).

Please advise!

thank you,
Margaret Ingle

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You may be describing mollusca contagiosa, small viral warts that kids often get.  These hang around for a year or so.  If these have been there for years, they may be something else, such as blocked follicles.  I can't think of anything serious, but you'll have to show them to a doctor in person to know exactly what they are.  Before you go, tell your kids not to pop them, so the doctor can tell what they are.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[swilder]

It sounds to me like Keratosis Pilaris.  You can Google it for more info. I've had it for years and didn't know it until I saw a product on Sephora.com that was supposed to help it.  The prduct didn't work, but I got a lot of information here...

http://www.helpforkp.com/keratosis_pilaris_about_kp.html

I don't advise trying the Derma Doctor product advertised - KP Duty, I think it's called. It's expensive and didn't really help much.

Long story short, it's harmless, but unsightly.