white bumps on arms/chest/legs spreading

[McKade]

well i have white bumps on the high part of my arm that are spreading lower and lower even on my chest and on my legs and even on my neck and under chin too now and i've been to doctors and they said it was keratin thats not escaping from under the skin and they gave me some cream to treat it after about 2 or 3 days of using it i broke out in hives and a rash so i stopped using it and am very confused why its spreading and if you try to pop them white stuff  could( be keratin) that looks like what comes out of pimples comes out and i dont know what keratin looks like so i dont know if it is or not and the bumps are also a little red like pink actually.its like emberassing to go swimming or do something where you have no shirt so all the bumps are showing exept on my legs but its still embarrasing. and want answers on how to get rid of them


This discussion is related to Arm Bumps.

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
Those little white bumps are actually very common & the result of clogged pores in the hair follicles. Common spots include arms, buttocks & the backs of legs.It is called keratosis pilaris.
Keratosis pilaris (KP, also follicular keratosis) is a very common genetic follicular condition that is manifested by the appearance of rough bumps on the skin and hence colloquially referred to as "chicken skin" as well as "meat bumps".
Keratosis pilaris occurs as excess keratin, a natural protein in the skin, accumulates within the hair follicles forming hard plugs (process known as hyperkeratinization).
They occur in the winters mainly because of the low humidity in the air.
Bearing only cosmetic consequence, the condition most often appears as a proliferation of tiny hard bumps that are seldom sore or itchy.
There is currently no known cure for keratosis pilaris. The condition often improves with age and can even disappear completely in adulthood.
Regardless, exfoliation, intensive moisturizing cremes, lac-hydrin, Retin A and medicated lotions containing alpha hydroxy acids or urea may be used to temporarily improve the appearance and texture of affected skin. Also, beta hydroxy acids can help improve the appearance and texture of the afflicted skin.
ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratosis_pilaris

[So_Cal]

hi doc, I just realized i have the same thing keratosis pilaris mine started in early 20's out of no where on arms and sometimes thighs iam 26 now, I havent knownuntil nowi found it was a skind disease which pisses me off, my skin is tan so its not really noticable only to touch i was wondering if you knew things that irratate it cause sometimes it gets really itchy and i noticed that if i put neosporin on it before i go to bed it makes them go down... I also noticed that they go down when i wake up any info would be killer thanks you roc doc