Small white bumps on the back of your arms might not seem particularly troublesome, but keratosis pilaris is cause for concern among those that are affected with the condition. Keratosis pilaris, or KP, is a skin condition where plugged hair follicles and pores become white or flesh-colored bumps on the back of your arms and thighs. The hard white bumps are often surrounded by red and inflamed tissue making them unsightly as well as uncomfortable to the touch.

The hard plugs give your skin the consistency of very rough sandpaper rather than the smooth, supple skin you should have. Keratosis pilaris has no cure other than time. The condition gradually improves with age, but this is not especially heartening for those struggling to find flattering sleeveless shirts or who have KP mistaken as acne on their cheeks.

The Symptoms of Keratosis Pilaris

Raised, hard bumps are the most common sign of KP. The bumps might be only the size of a grain of sand, but the hardness makes the skin feel coarse. Red skin surrounding the white or flesh-colored bumps makes the area look even more unattractive. The small bumps associated with keratosis pilaris generally appear on the backs of your upper arms, the outside of your thighs, your buttocks and in some cases, on your face. Keratosis pilaris outbreaks on the face do closely resemble acne, thus there is often confusion in self-diagnosis in that area.

Treating Keratosis Pilaris

While there is no cure to the condition, you can treat your skin to reduce the appearance of the bumps and to prevent new ones from forming. Most of this treatment is done through skin care and specialized creams. There are prescription options available, but most are harsh creams that leave surrounding skin dry and irritated. Prescriptions are available for only a short time. When the prescribed treatment stops, the KP comes back with even greater intensity as the skin is now drier and more prone to additional plugged follicles.

Keratosis Pilaris and Skin Care

Treating KP can be as simple as bathing correctly and applying the right sorts of creams. Keratosis pilaris is aggravated by dry skin, so the best treatments include a light exfoliation to remove the excess keratin from the surface of the skin as well as rich creams to moisturize the skin and make the raised bumps more pliable and less visible. Careful treatment of your skin will make the keratosis pilaris virtually invisible and will reduce occurrences over time.

Keratosis Pilaris Creams

Specialized creams designed for treatment of keratosis pilaris will exfoliate and moisturize the area with a barrier of protection. Effective treatment requires the removal of keratin that could cause additional plugs as well as a toning and softening of the skin that is already affected. Keratosis pilaris creams can have this affect most often in a single daily application making effective treatment as simple as lathering up with a specialized lotion after your shower each morning.