Bumps that scrubbing cannot remove: the cause may lie within the skin
What small bumps on the arms and thighs may be, why scrubbing does not help and when to see a dermatologist.
AuthorDr. Sheyla JafarovaDermatovenereologist, aesthetic dermatologist, acne expert
Small, rough bumps on the arms, thighs or back. You scrub them with an exfoliating mitt, buy a body scrub, the skin looks smooth for a few days, and then everything comes back. Sound familiar? Not every bump is a simple “spot” or a cosmetic issue. If mitts, scrubs and home remedies are not working, the cause may lie within the skin.
What these bumps may be
- Keratosis pilaris: hair follicles plugged with keratin, often inherited
- Folliculitis: inflammation of the hair follicle, sometimes bacterial or fungal
- Acne on the back and chest
- Milia: tiny white cysts under the skin
- Allergic or contact reactions
Although they look alike, their causes and treatments are completely different. That is why the same product helps with one and makes another worse.
Why scrubbing does not help
Harsh rubbing only removes the dead layer on the surface and does nothing about the cause of the blockage. On top of that, the skin gets damaged and red, inflammation increases and dark marks may stay behind. In folliculitis, rubbing can even spread the infection.
What you can do
- Pause the exfoliating mitt and harsh scrubs for now
- Take short showers with lukewarm, not hot, water
- Moisturise your skin after showering: for keratosis pilaris, a cream with urea, lactic acid or salicylic acid works better than scrubbing
- If the bumps do not go away, itch or hurt, come for an examination
A dermatologist’s examination pins down the cause and builds a treatment plan that suits you. Sometimes a single, correctly chosen cream greatly eases a problem you have lived with for years.
Scientific references
The information in this article is based on the following peer-reviewed papers and international clinical guidelines.
- Wang, J. F., & Orlow, S. J. (2018). Keratosis Pilaris and its Subtypes: Associations, New Molecular and Pharmacologic Etiologies, and Therapeutic Options. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 19(5), 733-757. [PMID: 30043128] | [DOI: 10.1007/s40257-018-0368-3]
- Laureano, A. C., Schwartz, R. A., & Cohen, P. J. (2014). Facial bacterial infections: folliculitis. Clinics in Dermatology, 32(6), 711-714. [PMID: 25441463] | [DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2014.02.009]
- Reynolds, R. V., Yeung, H., Cheng, C. E., et al. (2024). Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 90(5), 1006.e1-1006.e30. [PMID: 38300170] | [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017]
