Saturday July 19, 2008
ym.com > body > ask anything
Why Do I Have Zits On My Body?
I have these blemishes on my upper arms that look like acne. They're so bad I can't even wear short-sleeve shirts. What are they, and how do I lose them?
It sounds like you have an extremely common condition called keratosis pilaris. Your dead skin isn't shedding properly, which causes hair follicles to get clogged. You may have noticed similar spots on your butt and thighs. Actually, you were born with this pesky problemit runs in families. It also tends to occur more often in people who are overweight. To get rid of the bumps, try putting on an alpha hydroxy lotion, such as Eucerin Plus, twice a day. Also, use an exfoliating shower mitt or scrub (gently!) in the shower two or three times a week. Whatever you do, definitely don't pick at themthat'll just make the spots look worse. And remember to wear sunscreen, because alpha hydroxy makes your skin more sensitive.
Kristin Kemp
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