If you notice small red bumps mostly on your arms, butts, thighs and back. Then, it’s quite possible that you have a skin condition called Keratosis Pilaris. It is a common, harmless cosmetic problem that causes dry, rough patches and tiny bumps, often red in colour. It can be genetic as well as non-genetic. This skin condition is not painful or infectious but doesn’t look good and you may want to get rid of it.

Why does Keratosis Pilaris occur:

It occurs due to the keratinization of the upper portion lining of the hair follicles due to which dead skin cells get accumulated in them and causes red bumps on the skin. These red bumps may also be skin coloured or brown. Wherever these tiny bumps are present, you won't have much hair growth in that area, as due to dead cell accumulation, hair won’t be able to come out. This condition is more prominent in the winter months and is likely due to the reduced moisture content of the air. 

What all should be avoided:

If you have Keratosis Pilaris, here are a few things suggested by a known dermatologist, Dr Nivedita Dadu, that you must avoid.

1. Hot Shower: If you take a hot water bath then the natural oils of your skin will reduce, and this will increase the problem of Keratosis Pilaris.
2. Tight Clothes: Friction from tight clothes can prove more harmful for the affected skin.
3. Waxing: Waxing skin with Keratosis Pilaris can cause more bumps to appear. For some time, the skin may look clean but slowly the problem will increase.
4. Soaps and Shower Gels that lead to Dry Skin: You must go for oatmeal-based shower gel and soaps as they nourish the skin and keep it moisturised.

Treatments for Keratosis Pilaris:

Though you don’t even need to treat this skin condition but still if you want, Dr Dadu recommends a few treatments.

1. Use Bland Moisturisers: Never miss out on moisturisers! It helps to keep your skin hydrated and the more it is hydrated, less you’ll get to see these red bumps.
2. Use Physical Exfoliators: These include scrubs. When you exfoliate skin using a scrub, it helps in removing the dead cells and your skin becomes soft.
3. Use Chemical Exfoliators: You can also try chemical exfoliators like Glycolic acid, Urea, Lactic acid and Salicylic acid. Creams of all these acids are available in the market. If you apply them at night and use moisturiser and sunscreen during daytime, it will help in the exfoliation of dead cells and your skin will become soft and supple. Moreover, the bumpiness in the skin will reduce.
4. Use Retinol-Based Creams: These creams help in increasing the turnover of dead cells and when this happens, your dead cells will automatically start shedding, making your skin soft. There are several retinol-based creams available in the market that you can use. It must also be noted that these creams are not safe to use, if you're pregnant, lactating or planning to conceive. So, it's always advised to consult a dermatologist, if you are planning to use any such cream.
5. Laser Hair Reduction: This technique can minimise the effects of red bumps on skin. It must be noted that though Laser Hair Reduction can help in reducing bumpiness and improving the red itchy skin, you can’t get rid of this skin condition completely.

A full-fledged treatment for Keratosis Pilaris is not available yet. You can try the above methods to reduce the red bumps. Even without treatment, in most of the cases, this skin condition starts to clear around mid-20s and usually completely disappears by the time you are 30.