Keratosis Pilaris

The small rough bumps on upper arms and thighs, often called chicken skin, are keratosis pilaris. They are keratin plugging the hair follicles, they are harmless, and they are very common, particularly alongside dry or eczema-prone skin. Scrubbing makes them worse. What helps is urea, salicylic acid and the alpha hydroxy acids, which soften and dissolve the plug rather than abrading it, used consistently over weeks. It usually flares in winter and eases with age.