acne on arms

[atims]

I'm 20 years old female from India. I have a lot of smaller acne on my arms. I know I got it from my father. But initially I had only few of these acne. After using an ointment prescribed by one of the dermatologists back home, those acne spread all over my upper arm. Now, I can't wear any sleeveless clothes even during summer, or go for swimming because those acne are horrible and make me too self-conscious.

Please help!!!


This discussion is related to arm acne?.

[atims]

Thanks both of you for trying to help....

I found the following information about my skin condition on this website by Dr. Alan Rockoff. And I think this is what I have because my dad has the same condition and my sister had the same thing.

"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."

On me, these are just numerous, tiny bumps in slightly reddish color. They are clustered together. They don't necessarily contain fluids, but sometimes I've seen some white substance from the skin pores of that area. They are not painful at all, and they don't erode or crust.

I'm right now in the USA. And I'm just a poor international student :(, who cannot afford to go see a dermatologist here.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that this has been the bane of my life; this has left me without any confidence. Please help!!!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

How would you describe these lesions on your arms?

Are they clustered together?

Wha color are they? Are they flat or elevated? Do they contan fluid ?

Are they painful,do they erode and crust?

This may be a case of folliculitis or contact dermatitis. What medication were you prescribed? I suggest that you inform your physician prescriber with regards to this in case your medications may need to be changed or modified.

[loiloi]

It would be unusual to have acne vulgaris solely on the arms. I think you may have been mis-diagnosed and subsequently given the wrong type of ointment. See a doctor where you live now for re-evaluation and advice. Loiloi xx