Bumps on Arms - Tampa,FL

Updated on July 30, 2010
A.E. asks from Tampa, FL
20 answers

My daughter is nearly 12 and has an area of fine bumps on each upper arm. They are not painful. They almost look like tiny little pimples. She also has a patch on her lleft cheek. I was thinking that it might be a lack of a certain vitamin, but not sure. Does anyone know what they could be and how we could clear it?

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So What Happened?

Thank you so much for all the advice. It is so good to see how many "mama's" are willing to share their knowledge. I am definitely going to try some of the remedies suggested.

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J.P.

answers from Fort Myers on

Irish?? hah! We always call it Irish chicken skin... sorry... My son has it on his legs and upper arms... I had it worse as a child... lotion helps but I think its in the Genes... I read once that its a Gluten allergy... I may try him on a Gluten Free diet for a month or two just to see if that has anything to do with it. :)

1 mom found this helpful

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

I used to have those. Exact same thing. I heard it was like a bacteria on the skin though (this was 20 years ago), and somewhere I read to put selson blue on it (medicated shampoo for dandruff). I did. Rubbed in on the bumpy areas of my upper arms a few times a week and let it sit for about 30 seconds before hopping into the shower. It worked.

Call it KP or whatever they call it these days... but the Selson Blue got rid of mine.

1 mom found this helpful

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M.H.

answers from Miami on

I work for a dermatologist and advise patients on skin care and conditions, this sounds like KP (keratosis pilaris). It's not harmful but annoying more than anything. It can be heriditary and is generally found in ancestors from British and Irish backgrounds who have pale skin with pink undertones and are prone to redness in the skin. KP occurs when the body produces excess keratin, a natural protein in the skin. The excess keratin surrounds and entraps the hair follicles in the pore. This causes the formation of hard plugs since the natural exfoliation process is disrupted. It can be improved by using a scrub (gentle) daily and a topical product with salicylic acid to assist in dissolving pore contents. It does take time and consistency to improve but may return even with the best efforts.

Hope you find a great solution that fits your needs, please let me know if I can assist you further!

M.

2 moms found this helpful
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N.R.

answers from Lakeland on

My daughter has these too - she's 6. I took her with me to the dermatologist for my annual skin care check up and had the Dr. look at her too. I don't remember what she called it, but she gave me a sample of unscented Dove body wash to use on her, and told me to moisturize her skin every time that I bathe her. We have been having good luck using unscented Dove - or the Walmart version of, Aveeno body wash, and the new Suave Naturals - Lavender hair and body wash, and moisturizing with Aveeno directly after drying off. It took a week or so - but her bumps went away - and she almost never has them now. I get them occasionally - and I use astringent pads (like Stridex or Clearasil) and then moisturize after my shower - usually takes care of the problem ASAP. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Miami on

They are called K.P. Fish oil (Nordic Naturals) and I-Flora for kids (Probiotic) will help them go away. If that doesn't do the trick then get her NAET tested and see what she is allergic to. Dermatologists will just tell you they are nothing, but the skin will always tell you what is going on INSIDE the body/gut/brain.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Google "keratosis pilaris." It's very, very common. Often outgrown. Aqua Glycolic lotion might help a bit--ask your pharmacist to order it for you if they don't carry it.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.B.

answers from Charleston on

Karatonisis Pilaris- I've had it on my upper arms my whole life- only I like to pick at the bumps and "pop" them when i drink too much coffee, or am stressed! My doctor prescribed "AmLactin" 6% lactic acid lotion. Once in my life, I actually used it 2x a day, the bumps went away, and all was well. It does work, you need an rx though

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P.R.

answers from San Francisco on

Denise is right. I have it, my younger daughter has it. Moisturizer actually can make it worse bc it kind of plugs things up. A dermotologist years ago gave me a light steroid cream which works but obviously, it's not great long term. When she's old enough to care, you could use that. Now I'm too old to care! Not really obvious to anyone unless they're rubbing their hand on your arm so try to get her to ignore them as long as possible.

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S.P.

answers from Miami on

It sounds like hyperkeratosis, a harmless skin condition, that can be minimized with lotion and/or gentle exfoliating. I have it, and my kids inherited it from me. I control mine mostly with rubbing lightly with a washcloth while bathing. It keeps my upper arms a little smoother. Your pediatrician or dermatologist can probably recommend a treatment for her.

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

A lot of young girls get this (keratosis pilaris) going through adolescence. Good nutrition (that actually absorbs) will get rid of it. It is only outgrown because kid's eating habits change and their bodies change. My daughter has it if she is not taking her vitamins regularly. We take one that is guaranteed to absorb and all is well when she (at 14) does what she's supposed to.

Anytime something like this appears, it's a sign that something inside the body is not working right. This minor thing is a red flag to tell you something else can be brewing if this is not taken care of.

God bless,

M.

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A.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I agree with poster below who mentioned keratosis pilaris. My son and husband both have these bumps on their arms. The website Derma Doctor offers a product specifically for this skin condition. My son has used a less expensive product on his arms that is sold for "razor bumps" and that has worked well for him.

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R.W.

answers from Tampa on

Put lotion on them a few times a day and they will soon go away. But then make sure you put lotion on after she swims or bathes.

Updated

Put lotion on them a few times a day and after swimming or bathing and they will go away. If you keep lotion on the area they won't come back.

C.M.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

I agree with Denise P., My husband, daughter, and myself all have it, I also have them on the top of my legs (thighs). We use one of the puff sponges in the shower, and it help, we use Eucerin extreme dry skin, it really helps!!!

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A.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

It sounds like what my son has on his arms, it is exzema, use a really heavy cream or go to the doctor and they will prescribe a cream that will clear it up within a few days.

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L.O.

answers from Sarasota on

A great Omega III and AmLactin lotion. You can get a pharmaceutical grade Omega III here http://www.visionary-wellness.com but you need a script for the AmLactin. Good Luck at erradicating these little bumps. Hope this helps.

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P.B.

answers from Dallas on

It may be allergies. My son gets them on his arms and face and they are a symptom of his allergies. However, I would suggest contacting your doctor or even just place a call into their nurse - they can decide whether she needs to be seen by them.

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B.C.

answers from Dallas on

Our doctor recommended Omega 3s daily and it does help, but doesn't make it go away.

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J.J.

answers from Panama City on

I don't know what they are, but I have had them for years and years. Never did find anything that made them go away completely. Someone once told me to use oil-free moisturizer on them and they got somewhat better but never completely went away.

Good Luck

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L.

answers from Miami on

they might be molluscum very common and eaily treatable

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L.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

It's keratosis pilaris. I had it for many years as a teen/young adult, but have since outgrown it. I also had it on the backs of my arms, and sometimes the tops of my thighs. My sister used to pop hers, and whichever ones she'd pop would go away, but there were always hundreds more! She was mostly addicted to the popping aspect of it. It hurts a lot to pop them, they are much harder than a pimple to pop - and it is impossible to pop them all. Some of the heavier creams might help, but really, I never found any sort of cure.

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