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Overview
Common in teens.
Moisturizer helps.
When to get medical care
Call 911Not an emergency.
Get care todayNot usually urgent.
See a doctor soonBothersome bumps.
Causes
Caused by keratin buildup.
OwieClear has pages on 1 condition that can cause tiny rough bumps on the arms or thighs. Each shows how soon to get care.
Common causes
- Keratosis pilaris (chicken skin)Often treated at home
Tiny, rough bumps on the backs of the arms, thighs, or cheeks from plugged hair follicles.
What you can do at home
- Moisturize.
- Use gentle exfoliation.
Medicines
Creams with urea or lactic acid.
At the doctor
Diagnosed by exam.
Questions you may be asked
- Duration
The exam
A skin exam.
Tests
- None
Prevention
Moisturize.
- Daily lotion
Check your symptoms
Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-13.