How to get rid of bumps in arms?

Over-the-counter (OTC) creams with oatmeal or hydrocortisone can help soothe itchy skin bumps and provide some relief. If your skin doesn't improve, you may need a prescription ointment. If a healthcare professional suspects that allergies are contributing to your skin bumps, you may need to take an antihistamine.

• Use warm water and limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from the skin.
• Be gentle to the skin. Avoid harsh, drying soaps.
• Try medicated creams.
• Moisturize.
• Use a humidifier.
• Avoid friction from tight clothes.

There is no cure for keratosis pilaris. The bumps may reduce over time with topical medicines. A dermatologist may advise chemical peels or lasers for stubborn cases.

Treatment goals include reducing the appearance of bumps and preventing flares.

Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition in which dead skin cells and keratin clog the hair follicles. Keratin is a protein in the skin. Keratosis pilaris resembles goosebumps on the upper arms and thighs.

Bumps may have the following characteristics:

Keratosis pilaris is not a contagious skin condition. Instead, you may develop bumps if dead skin cells and keratin clog your hair follicles.

Anyone can develop keratosis pilaris. Although, most commonly, keratosis pilaris occurs in adolescents, with between 50% and 80% affected. In fact, hormone changes during puberty may trigger the skin condition. The bumps usually fade by your mid-20s if keratosis pilaris develops during childhood or adolescence. Around 40% of adults have keratosis pilaris.

Other factors that increase the risk of keratosis pilaris include:

For the most part, the bumps improve over time. Some treatments may reduce the appearance of keratosis pilaris.

Taking care of your skin is one of the best ways to treat keratosis pilaris. Start by cleansing with a gentle, hypoallergenic soap. Avoid picking at or popping the bumps whenever you touch the affected area.

Next, exfoliation can help unplug built-up dead skin cells and keratin to heal the bumps. Look for products that contain chemical exfoliators, such as glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid.

Apply moisturizer after every shower or bath while your skin is still damp. Moisturizers can help smoothen your skin and reduce the appearance of bumps. Keep in mind that it may take several months to improve the bumps, which may reappear.

Beyond taking care of your skin, treating keratosis pilaris is unnecessary. Still, some topical medications may help.

For example, some evidence suggests that salicylic acid lotion and urea cream smoothen skin texture. A dermatologist may prescribe retinoids or vitamin D3 derivatives. Specifically, tazarotene, a type of retinoid, may reduce the appearance of bumps within four to eight weeks.

Those topical medications may cosmetically treat keratosis pilaris. As of 2023, there is no cure for the skin condition.

In some cases, chemical peels using glycolic acid may reduce the appearance of bumps.

A study published in 2021 examined the effects of glycolic acid on keratosis pilaris. The researchers applied 50% and 70% glycolic acid to circular areas on the skin of 25 people four times over 60 days. Keratosis pilaris improved as soon as 20 days after treatment. The bumps slowly reappeared over time.

Some laser therapies may be effective at treating keratosis pilaris. For example, research has found that pulsed dye, alexandrite, Nd:YAG, and fractional CO2 are among some lasers that might reduce the appearance of bumps.

A review published in 2020 found that laser therapies can provide more long-term results than topical medications.

Keratosis pilaris often improves with age. Still, you may notice flares of bumps, especially if your skin is dry.

Taking the following steps can help prevent flares:

Consulting a dermatologist may help if keratosis pilaris does not improve with at-home treatments.