Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    stacey1979's Avatar
    stacey1979 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jan 15, 2008, 01:34 PM
    Small pimples on my upper arms
    I have had this for all of my life. I am now 29. I have a very bad habit of picking at them and making my arms look real ugly for weeks till they heal. I would do anything to get them gone or close to it. I don't have insurance so any other ideas would help. Please help me. Thanks Stacey
    PunkChic's Avatar
    PunkChic Posts: 986, Reputation: 51
    Senior Member
     
    #2

    Jan 15, 2008, 01:44 PM
    I sometimes get spots on my arms too. Exfoliating the area and using an anti bacterial body wash helps. Neutrogena are a good brand to check out. Good luck. :)
    peggyhill's Avatar
    peggyhill Posts: 907, Reputation: 150
    Senior Member
     
    #3

    Jan 15, 2008, 01:53 PM
    Exfoliating helps me, as well as using a body wash to prevent acne. Also, make sure that you are drinking your 8 glasses of water. Whatever you do, don't mess with them. If you have some that you have popped already, try using an anti-bacterial first aid cream on the sore spots. Another thing that helps me when I am getting a breakout, and I know this will sound strange, is to take a little bit of baking soda and use it as a scrub wherever I am getting a breakout. My grandma told me about that, and, for me, it seems to work. Just don't do that if you have sore spots, it will burn. Good luck! :)
    PrettyLady's Avatar
    PrettyLady Posts: 2,765, Reputation: 332
    -
     
    #4

    Jan 15, 2008, 03:38 PM
    Try not to pick the pimples. It could leave scars on your skin. To get rid of the pimples, try using an alpha hydroxy cream or lotion. Alpha hydroxy acids can help remove dead skin cells from the surface and clear up the pimples on your arms. You will find this product at a pharmacy in the skin care aisle.
    shadesofshockingpink's Avatar
    shadesofshockingpink Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #5

    Jan 17, 2008, 10:35 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by stacey1979
    i have had this for all of my life. I am now 29. I have a very bad habit of picking at them and making my arms look real ugly for weeks till they heal. I would do anything to get them gone or close to it. I don't have insurance so any other ideas would help. Please help me. Thanks Stacey
    hi I have this problem to its actually a condition your born with I forget the name it s really long though and I use elizebeth arden intensive moistrize on every night before I go to bed. I am addicted to st. tropez tan and this doesn't actually effect my skin it really sensitive so if you looking for a tan too try that hope this helps!
    x:o
    Matt123456's Avatar
    Matt123456 Posts: n/a, Reputation:
    Guest
     
    #6

    Apr 6, 2008, 09:42 PM
    Some things to try. (im 30 and tried a heap of things recently)

    First, get a simple acne face or body wash you can use in the shower each day.

    If that dose not work you could try any cream with "benzoyl peroxide" these are sold as acne / pimple creams, I have had very good luck with twice daily applications of "brevoxyl" this will very quickly clear up any acne that you have and stop any new stuff from forming.

    Failing that don't mess around just go to your doctor. There are two very good products doxycycline and minocycline that will very quickly help acne. (both of these stopped severe acne on my back very quickly)

    And then for very severe acne there is another medication accutane which can apparently cure people for life within 3 months but you need to do your research on that one first.

    Oh yeah and the thing that makes acne worse is picking or squeezing at them it damages the surrounding skin and makes them far far more painfull and swolen. Even if you have to put band aids on so you don't do this, its worth it, I've found most adult acne lasts around 4-6 days but if you touch them it can easily be annoying for 2-3 weeks.

    (This thread is over 3 months old)
    ellie h's Avatar
    ellie h Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #7

    May 16, 2008, 09:46 AM
    HI, I just wanted to tell you that I have the same problem and I have had it my whole life. I think you should look into cronic skin picking. It's almost a form of self mutalation but when we do it we don't seem to be causing pain. It's almost like your in a daze or in the zone when your doing it. I am wondering if you seem to pick more often when you have a lot of stress or anxiety because I tend to pick way more often when I have something on my mind that is stressing me out. For lotions and things like that I have found that there is nothing that I have used that really takes the scars away or makes the scabs less noticeable. I wear thermals under my shirts to hide the scars. I do use st.Ives aprocot scrub on my face and arms but that doesn't seem to really do much at all. I have looked into theripy to see how I can stop doing this and I was treated with a specific technique called EMDR. Sorry, I can't remember exactly what it stands for right now but if you were to Google it I think that they'll lead you in the right direction. It's some type of brain stimulation that has been used on many military persons coming back from war to help with PTSD post tramatic stress disorder. Good luck on your findings
    ChihuahuaMomma's Avatar
    ChihuahuaMomma Posts: 7,378, Reputation: 608
    Vision Expert
     
    #8

    May 16, 2008, 08:39 PM
    What you have is called Keratosis Pelaris. There is no cure for it. You may have noticed that lotions will make it less apparent, as does being in the sun. I have the very same thing. There are a couple of things circulating that may cure it. One is a 500mg Niacin pill every morning. I have not tried this yet. I will let you know the results. If you try it first, let me know.
    jessica444's Avatar
    jessica444 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #9

    Aug 14, 2009, 01:26 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by stacey1979 View Post
    i have had this for all of my life. I am now 29. I have a very bad habit of picking at them and making my arms look real ugly for weeks till they heal. I would do anything to get them gone or close to it. I don't have insurance so any other ideas would help. Please help me. Thanks Stacey
    I have also had the same problem with these small bumps or pimples. When I was younger I began picking at them and now can not seem to get out of the habit. It seems to happen more often when I am anxious or stressed. I have scars all over my arms and it has become very embarrassing for me. People ask me all the time what it is and I always struggle to answer them because I am ashamed of what I do. Since it has developed into such an effective coping skill for me I have recently started picking at my scalp as well. I haven't had my hair cut in quite some time because I am so embarrassed by the scabs.
    I was just wondering if anyone could relate because I thought I was alone in this.
    ChihuahuaMomma's Avatar
    ChihuahuaMomma Posts: 7,378, Reputation: 608
    Vision Expert
     
    #10

    Aug 15, 2009, 02:28 AM

    I know what you mean, Jessica. I, too, have the same thing. I have scars all over my arms, and usually a few scabs on my upper arms. It's really embarrassing.
    XOXOlove's Avatar
    XOXOlove Posts: 830, Reputation: 131
    Senior Member
     
    #11

    Aug 17, 2009, 10:28 AM

    I do the same thing! It's worse on my left arm. After I shave I just rub it gently with a pumice stone. It stops the ingrown hairs and blackheads from forming.
    Duy_Nguyen92's Avatar
    Duy_Nguyen92 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #12

    Aug 29, 2009, 02:14 AM
    man.. I understand how you feel! I'm 16 years old and I've had these arm pimples all my life... my dad has them and my mom doesn't so I guess I got them from my dad.. my brother's and sisters have them but they're small dots, and mine are like.. pimples, not with like white heads, as if there were white things UNDER my skin so it's a little bump and I have popped mine a lot... and my left arm is reallly badly scarred compared to my right... I do feel bad that you have them too.. because I don't know what will work, and like you I don't have insurance to go to the dermatologist.. =/... and like no matter how much I touch them.. it's still there it doesn't go away... sometimes I feel that nothing will work and I'm doomed to have it because my father has them and I'm going to have to suffer with them... well I would just have to say.. try to deal with it the best way you can.. because I don't think it'll go away.. if you have had them since you were like a kid.. :[ good luck in getting rid of them.
    ChihuahuaMomma's Avatar
    ChihuahuaMomma Posts: 7,378, Reputation: 608
    Vision Expert
     
    #13

    Aug 30, 2009, 05:47 PM

    I've honestly found that going to a Dermatologist for Keratosis Pilaris is a waste of time and money, because they will just give you recommendations of what to do when you get home. There is no known cure for this.
    AyKay's Avatar
    AyKay Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #14

    Oct 8, 2009, 08:29 AM
    Ive got that problem too, however it didn't get bad till about a year ago (im 23 years old) its very hard not to pop the pimples on my arms and now I've taken to picking my scalp as well and biting the skin on my lips until they almost bleed, its really gross but I can't stop. I also pick the skin around my fingers and have to cover them with band-aids just so they can heal a little! This condition is rough and embarrassing. I haven't found anything to help the problem, just wanted to say your not alone!
    ChihuahuaMomma's Avatar
    ChihuahuaMomma Posts: 7,378, Reputation: 608
    Vision Expert
     
    #15

    Oct 8, 2009, 11:21 AM

    I just starting using HEMPZ lotion and it works (for me). The bumps and redness is all gone. But for the ingrown hairs I still use tweezers to get them out.
    AZ_Brie's Avatar
    AZ_Brie Posts: 4, Reputation: 2
    New Member
     
    #16

    Oct 15, 2009, 03:01 PM

    I'm 26 also suffer from Keratosis Pilaris (my sister as well). I have looked into this several times - I live in Arizona & the dry air makes this worse!

    I've tried various srubs, exfoliants, lotions, and creams (I'm a beauty product junkie). I saw the best results when I was using Neutrogena Sesame Body Oil in the shower, at the end of my shower. Not only were my arms much better within about a week, but my entire body was buttery soft!
    biged622's Avatar
    biged622 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #17

    Oct 18, 2009, 07:59 PM
    I also have this condition. I often pick at the pimples too, leaving all kinds of scarring. Rubbing a pumice stone (get it in the skin care section) on the area every day and applying some type of medicated lotion usually helps a lot. I just forget to do it a lot. Don't feel too bad guys because it could be worst, you could have it on your face for the rest of your life. So just do what you can to reduce the pimples and ingrown hairs.
    10fareed's Avatar
    10fareed Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #18

    Jan 1, 2010, 12:14 AM
    I learned that what seem like pimples is actually hair that's forming. The best thing to do is leave your arm alone and exfoliate. I also have scars from when I picked on my arm when I was younger, now the scars are just fading away very slowly.
    ChihuahuaMomma's Avatar
    ChihuahuaMomma Posts: 7,378, Reputation: 608
    Vision Expert
     
    #19

    Jan 1, 2010, 01:26 AM

    I've began using Dermarest, it's a formula designed for Psoriasis but it calms the redness and makes my arms smoother. Love it.
    Elsie71's Avatar
    Elsie71 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #20

    Jan 20, 2010, 07:56 AM
    I had this too, it's called keratosis pilaris and it's not acne. It's the way our skin naturally exfoliates - not very well for those of us who have it. Through trial and error I finally found a few simple things (and inexpensive and natural) work to really help reduce it tremendously. Raw, unfiltered organic apple cider vinegar will quickly reduce the bumps and smooth the skin (results within a few days). You can purchase this in the organic section at the grocery store. Night time is a good time to apply it to your skin with a cotton pad, as it does have an ordor. Apple cider vinegar helps with acne also.
    Another product that works is Dr Bronners soaps (I specifically use the liquid peppermint). You can order online from Dr Bronner web site. Whole Foods also carries it.
    Another product that works great is Zum soap (I use the peppermint lavendar) and can be ordered from Indigowild.com. Whole Foods also carries this, but it's less expensive if you order online.

    These are the only 3 things I have ever found to almost completely remove the bumps. When you wash in the shower, use a loofa to help exfoliate the skin - DO NOT SCRUB - let the loofa work for you.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search


Check out some similar questions!

Ugly bumps on upper arms [ 10 Answers ]

Hi. I've always had these annoying bumps on my upper arms. I never knew how I got them and how to lose 'em. Most of my friends have them too. Does anybody know what they are and how to get rid of them?? HELP!!

Tiny red bumps on upper under arms, elbows, hands [ 8 Answers ]

I have had these tiny little red bumps, not pimples, with no puss or under material. They are just little raised bumps that itch like crazy. I have them on my underarms, near my armpit, elbow joints(front and back), and my hands. I am just curious as to what this is? If anyone has any info on what...

How to fight cellulite on my upper arms [ 4 Answers ]

I have recently noticed cellulite on my upper arms. The top of my arms look very dimpled and I am really self conscious of this. I used to love wearing clothes that showed off my arms and upper body, I feel I can no longer do this and it is really frustrating. Can anyone out there suggest ways...

Firming upper arms [ 1 Answers ]

Hi, I am a 39 year old female, 5:6 and weigh 124lb, the problem I have is that most of the weight on my body is on my arms and backside. I can deal with my rear but I hate with a capital 'H' the size and shape of my arms and in particular the large and now flabby wings. Ps I have recently...

Red Rash on upper arms [ 7 Answers ]

I've had this rash my whole life. I don't know what its called. My mom took me to the doctor when I was a teen and they prescribed lotion, that did not work. I was wondering if anyone else had this rash. Have you ever had it cured? Do you know anything that could help me?


View more questions Search