Friction is not a friend of your skin — and that’s especially true if you’re dealing with KP. Tight-fitting clothes can irritate skin and amp up KP symptoms. Try to avoid wearing garments that rub and aggravate the bumps.
Bumps on arms: Keratosis pilaris and other conditions
One cause of bumps on the arms is a condition called keratosis pilaris. These bumps are harmless, hard, and may look like small pimples or goosebumps.
A person may not need treatment for keratosis pilaris unless they develop any bothersome symptoms, such as dryness or itchiness.
Keep reading for more information about health issues that commonly cause bumps on the arms.
Keratosis pilaris is a benign skin condition that causes small, hard bumps to appear on the skin. The bumps contain extra keratin, which is a protein in the hair, skin, and nails. A buildup of dead skin cells contributes to the issue.
In older children and adults, keratosis pilaris typically appears on the buttocks, thighs, and upper arms. In younger children, the bumps usually form on the cheeks, but they can appear on the arms and thighs, as well.
A person is most likely to notice the issue when the skin is dry, such as during winter months. The bumps may disappear during warmer or more humid seasons.
Keratosis pilaris bumps may form dry, rough patches, or they may resemble goosebumps, pimples, or a rash.
The bumps may be skin-colored, white, or red, and they can be itchy.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the condition often develops before a child turns 2 years old.
About 50–80% of adolescents and at least 40% of adults may have keratosis pilaris. However, these estimates are likely low, as people often do not report the issue to their doctors.
Some factors that increase the chances of developing keratosis pilaris include:
- a family history of the issue
- generally dry skin
- hay fever
- asthma
- ichthyosis vulgaris, a condition that causes dry skin
- eczema
- diabetes
- atopic dermatitis
- obesity or overweight
- Down syndrome
Also, it may be a side effect of vemurafenib , a medication that can treat melanoma.
Because keratosis pilaris is generally harmless and tends to resolve over time, treatment is usually unnecessary. However, if the bumps are bothersome, certain home care strategies may help.
The AAD recommend taking the following steps:
- Gently exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin cells.
- Apply a chemical exfoliator, also known as a keratolytic.
- Use an oil-free moisturizer liberally.
They also provide the following advice for managing keratosis pilaris:
- Make sure not to scrub the skin harshly.
- Use the keratolytic only as directed.
- Apply the moisturizer after using the keratolytic, after bathing, and whenever the skin feels dry.
Doctors can recommend other ways to help relieve any itchiness and reduce the bumpiness of the skin.
To address the bumps, they may prescribe or recommend an over-the-counter ointment or cream that contains one of the following ingredients:
- lactic acid
- alpha hydroxy acid
- salicylic acid
- retinoids
- glycolic acid
- urea
These medications help get rid of dried skin cells. A doctor may also recommend creams or lotions to help with moisturizing the skin.
One study suggests that a combination of natural glycolic acid and salicylic acid may be the best way to restore the skin’s texture, as 70–80% of participants who used the combination saw smoother skin with less oiliness and a more even texture.
If other treatments fail, a doctor may recommend laser therapy to reduce the bumps and any discoloration.
A person with keratosis pilaris can take some steps to prevent bumps from forming. The AAD recommend:
- using a thick, oil-free moisturizing cream
- moisturizing immediately after bathing, while the skin is still damp
- using moisturizer whenever the skin feels dry
- considering hair removal techniques other than shaving or waxing, which can make keratosis pilaris worse
- limiting showers and baths to once a day and keeping them short
- avoiding bar soap in favor of a mild cleanser
- using a humidifier if the skin is dry
- avoiding self-tanners
There are many possible causes of bumps on the arms. For example:
- Contact dermatitis causes a bumpy rash that can be itchy and otherwise uncomfortable.
- Eczema can form red, itchy patches or small, liquid-filled bumps that eventually crust over.
- Acne can cause whiteheads or blackheads.
- Folliculitis is the infection of hair follicles, which can form tender, red, pus-filled bumps — typically on areas that are shaved or exposed to frequent irritation.
- Heat rash often causes redness, itchiness, or tingling.
Only a healthcare provider can diagnose the cause of bumps on the arms.
They will ask about general health, family history, and any other symptoms, and they will also examine the affected skin.
For people with any of the following, it may be a good idea to contact a doctor:
- itchiness
- dryness that causes discomfort
- a displeasing appearance of the skin
- concerns about the underlying cause
It may be especially important to receive professional attention if home care techniques are not working.
Also, see a doctor if a rash and a fever are present, as these can be symptoms of a more serious infection.
In many cases, bumps on the arms result from keratosis pilaris, a benign condition that usually requires no treatment.
Certain home care techniques can help reduce the bumps and any associated symptoms.
If these methods are ineffective and the bumps are causing discomfort, a doctor can recommend professional treatments.
Last medically reviewed on May 29, 2020
- Allergy
- Dermatology
- Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema
How we reviewed this article:
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- Braunstein, I., et al. (2014). Vemurafenib-induced interface dermatitis manifesting as radiation-recall and a keratosis pilaris-like eruption.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24517243/ - Keratosis pilaris (KP). (n.d.).
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/k/keratosis-pilaris-kp.html - Keratosis pilaris (KP). (n.d.).
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=85&contentid=P00296 - Keratosis pilaris: Self-care. (n.d.).
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/keratosis-pilaris-self-care - Pennycook, K. B., & McCready, T. A. (2019). Keratosis pilaris.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546708/ - What are those bumps on my child’s skin? (n.d.).
https://www.aad.org/public/parents-kids/childhood-conditions/rashes-cause-bumps - Wiegmann, D., & Haddad, L. (2020). Two is better than one: The combined effects of glycolic acid and salicylic acid on acne‐related disorders.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocd.13387
Bumps on Your Arms? Here’s How To Get Rid of Them
Long ago, a common skin condition known as keratosis pilaris earned the nickname “chicken skin” given its similarity to the surface of a freshly plucked bird. Now odds are you’ve never seen a deplumed chicken … but you know it can’t look good, right?
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Keratosis pilaris, or KP, typically dots your skin with discolored bumps that can be very noticeable. The itchy, rough, dry bumps may also make your skin feel like sandpaper.
The good news? KP is totally harmless, says dermatologist Alok Vij, MD.
The bad news? That doesn’t make the unsightly speckles any less annoying. KP can often clear up over time, but there are ways to reduce the symptoms for those who don’t want to wait. Dr. Vij offers some suggestions to banish the bumps.
What causes KP?
KP occurs when keratin, a protein in skin, builds up around your hair follicles. The bumps are actually collections of dead skin cells blocking your pores.
The bumps can be skin-colored or shades of white, brown or red. These splotchy spots most often form on your upper arms. But they can show up in other areas of your body, too, including your thighs and face.
KP is most common in babies, teenagers and young adults, says Dr. Vij. Sometimes, the condition has staying power and can linger into your 30s.
People with other skin conditions, such as eczema, also are more likely to develop KP. Genetics also may play a role in developing KP. High body weight or asthma could be contributing factors, too.
How to treat keratosis pilaris
There’s no cure for KP other than time, says Dr. Vij. However, there are ways to make your time with the condition a little better and the bumps a little less noticeable.
Use moisturizers
The best approach to try and smooth over a KP problem? Moisturize. Dr. Vij recommends looking for over-the-counter skin lotions and creams that feature any of the following three ingredients:
- Ceramides. These proteins help skin hold onto moisture. Moisturizers with ceramides can help reduce roughness in people with KP. (The ingredient also helps fight eczema, so it’s a good choice if you’re dealing with both skin problems.)
- Urea. Urea is a naturally occurring molecule that helps dissolve the keratin protein gumming up follicles. It’s in many drugstore moisturizers. Your doctor can also prescribe creams with a higher concentration of urea.
- Ammonium lactate. This ingredient also helps dissolve the buildup that causes KP’s bumps and redness. Ammonium lactate can be a little bit sticky, so it’s not everyone’s first choice. But if you don’t have luck with ceramides or urea, it’s worth a shot.
Take extra steps to avoid dry skin
Dry skin can make KP symptoms worse. Here are two ways aside from moisturizing to keep your skin hydrated:
- Take shorter and cooler showers. It might sound nonsensical, but spending too much time under running water can actually dry out your skin. Heat from the water strips oils from your skin. Stick to a lukewarm setting to minimize damage.
- Use a humidifier. KP symptoms often worsen over winter, when the air is drier. A humidifier can add much-needed moisture to the air when you’re in a low-humidity environment.
Avoid tight clothes
Friction is not a friend of your skin — and that’s especially true if you’re dealing with KP. Tight-fitting clothes can irritate skin and amp up KP symptoms. Try to avoid wearing garments that rub and aggravate the bumps.
Laser treatment
Some people with KP are more bothered by the redness than the roughness — especially those with fair skin and those who have the bumps on their face. In those cases, laser treatments done in a dermatologist’s office can help fade the red, Dr. Vij says.
Tips for tackling KP
Getting rid of KP takes some patience. Dr. Vij recommends:
- Use one of the recommended moisturizers daily for four to six weeks.
- If you don’t notice improvement, try one of the other types.
- If that doesn’t work, either, you might have to combine two ingredients or see a dermatologist for a prescription-strength option.
You may need some trial and error to get rid of so-called chicken skin. And once you find a lotion, cream or treatment that works, you’ll likely have to keep using it to keep KP at bay. But with these extra steps, clearer skin can be had.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
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