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I finally went to the dermatologist about these bumps on the back of my arms. She told me the condition is called "Karatosis Pilaris" and is a genetic condition that affects the hair follicles. Anyway, she suggested a cream for it called "Amlacin." The active ingredient is 12% lactic acid neutralized with ammonium hydorxide. I did some research on the net and traditional folks say there is no cure for this condition, but it is maintainable with the lactic acid lotion. I don't want to accept that. Since the dermatologist and the web sites said that at least a third of the population suffers from this, I was wondering if any of you have had it and had any success getting rid of it?
In Reply to: bumps on back of arms - Karatosis Pilaris posted by Mary K. on September 23, 2003 at 18:30:16:
Hi Mary K.,
I also have this condition. But, I also have it on my thighs. When I was little, I used to have it on my cheeks too, but that cleard up when I was 16 or so.
I found the website below. Guess what the treatment is?
1. Buffing (Sound familiar?)
2. Skilled Relaxation (Sound familiar?)
3. Moisturizing Lotions
Dr. Stoll knew this before there was even a name for the condition. hehehe
In Reply to: bumps on back of arms - Karatosis Pilaris posted by Mary K. on September 23, 2003 at 18:30:16:
Mary K,
When I started taking flax seed oil capsules, and later fish oil capsules, mine cleared up.
Carol B.
In Reply to: Re: bumps on back of arms - Karatosis Pilaris posted by Carol B. on September 24, 2003 at 18:06:52:
Carol,
How long did it take? I have been doing flax seed oil every day for about three months now.
In Reply to: bumps on back of arms - Karatosis Pilaris posted by Mary K. on September 23, 2003 at 18:30:16:
Mary K.
Isn't it weonderful how the allopathic community seems to think their responsibility for the cause of a condition is met simply by coming up with a complex sounding name???
When this is only on the backs of the arms it it NOT keratosis pilaris---but it just sounds so academic it is nearly irresistable for docs to do this! It is just because that is the one place where it is a little difficult to reach with the buffing wash cloth and the buffing towel--SO dead skin accumulates there and tends to plug up the pores. Just watch exactly how you habitually take a bath and dry after. It is only keratosis pilaris when it is all over the individual.
However, Carol B. & More also have at least temporary solutions since those approaches also loosen dead skin and help pores drain more easily.
Hope this helps.
Let us know how you do once you routinely buff these areas with each shower.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: bumps on back of arms - Keratosis Pilaris (FAH!) Archive in skin. posted by Walt Stoll on September 25, 2003 at 06:29:20:
Thanks Dr. Stoll, I will!
In Reply to: bumps on back of arms - Karatosis Pilaris posted by Mary K. on September 23, 2003 at 18:30:16:
Hi Mary,
I never knew it had a name and that it was a common problem until I came to this BB. I thought I just had big pores on my arms, thighs, and bottom. I've made significant improvement in the appearance and feel of my skin by doing the following.
Try dry skin brushing before your shower (I use a natural-bristle bath brush with a long curved handle). Then in the shower, try using something rougher than a washcloth on the areas you want to exfoliate. A loofa works, as do those loopy plastic bath puffs, or nylon exfoliating gloves. A friend of mine makes exfoliating washcloths out of a square or maybe two squares, back to back, of lace fabric and stitches ruffled lace around the edge. If you use a washcloth or your hands to scrub, use an exfoliating soap or body wash. I sometimes use Skinsation that I order from Products of Nature. It contains ground walnut shells.
When you come out of the shower, dry off briskly with a rough towel, and apply lotion or oil.
Also take essential fatty acid supplements and add some additional healthy fats and oils to your diet. You should see some improvements pretty quickly.
Wishing you the best,
Nutmeg
In Reply to: Re: bumps on back of arms - Karatosis Pilaris posted by Nutmeg on September 25, 2003 at 11:38:57:
Thanks Nutmeg!
In Reply to: bumps on back of arms - Karatosis Pilaris posted by Mary K. on September 23, 2003 at 18:30:16:
I have had it all my life. As a child, I had on the backs of the upper arms, and all the way up and down my legs. I no longer have it on my calves and I attribute that to the fact that shaving my legs helps to exfoliate the skin there. When I'm being good about trying to treat this, I buf-puf in the shower with any cleanser that contains salycylic acid (Neutrogena makes one, others do too), and then apply Amlactin moisturizer (LacHydrin is almost as good). These are not prescription moisturizers, but are sometimes kept behind the pharmacist's counter. This regimen helps a lot, but doesn't eliminate the problem. Sunshine definitely improves mine.
In Reply to: Re: bumps on back of arms - Karatosis Pilaris posted by Highlander on September 28, 2003 at 07:38:16:
Thanks, Highlander.
Extra esterified vitamin C (2000 miligrams twice a day) and omega 3s (2000 milligrams twice a day) also help.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: bumps on back of arms - Karatosis Pilaris posted by More Info on September 23, 2003 at 19:07:57:
I hate them i'm embrassed of them i would do anything to get rid of them, are you sure there is no cure!! at all?? i hate when people ask me what they are and i myself aren't really sure... please if anyone would suggest a prescription or anything
In Reply to: Re: bumps on back of arms - Karatosis Pilaris posted by Suzzle on October 19, 2003 at 12:02:33:
Hi, Suzzle.
This has been discussed several times on this BB.
The best thing to do is: Check your washing and drying technique and you will find that the rough skin is right where you do not often reach for the buffing needed to stop this. You can help get rid of it by changing your technique so you be SURE to buff that area every time you bathe and dry.
Second best: In the meantime, the omega 3s (about 3 grams twice a day) will gradually get rid of it.
Of course, you can do both.
Let us know how you do.
Walt
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