Grater skin (keratosis pilaris) • What helps?

Pimples on the upper arm

Author: Monika Preuk, medical writer; Annika Lutter, medical editor
Last update:
January 26, 2021

Written according to the highest scientific standards and checked by experts

Grater skin (keratosis pilaris) shows up as unsightly pimples, especially on the upper arms and thighs. The cornification disorder of the skin affects almost every second person. What helps?

Grater skin
Grater skin shows up as small pimples, often on the outside of the upper arms.
© Getty Images / Ocskaymark

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What is grater skin?

Constant goosebumps – it looks something like that when grater skin occurs. The medical name Keratoris pilaris translates as "horny hair" and means that the upper section of the hair follicle (hair follicle) is horny. The horn scales are therefore not shed as they normally would, but collect in the hair follicle, which stands up slightly as a result.

Strictly speaking, keratosis pilaris is not a disease, but rather a cosmetic problem. Up to 80 percent of all adolescents and almost every second adult is affected.

Recognizing grater skin: symptoms of keratosis pilaris

The symptoms of keratosis pilaris include rough spots with tiny, white or reddish pimples, which mainly appear on the following parts of the body:

  • on the outside of the upper arms and thighs,
  • on the buttocks

The little pimples on grater skin are less often found in the following places:

  • in the face
  • On neck
  • under the eyebrows
  • on the scalp

The keratinization can only occur in a few places or in many places and in different forms. The only exceptions are the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. The pimples are actually small bumps in the skin around the horny parts of the hair follicle. If they are scratched open, this promotes the development of inflammation.

Causes and risk factors for grater skin

A genetic change is the cause of the grater skin. In addition to the genetic predisposition, dry skin is a risk factor for keratoris pilaris.

Other triggers for pimples on grater skin can be neurodermatitis or other allergic diseases such as hay fever.

In winter, grater skin becomes stronger for most of those affected because the heated air indoors dries out the skin. In summer, however, when the skin is exposed to a lot of fresh air and moisture, the signs sometimes even disappear completely.

Usually the skin symptoms decrease with advancing age.

Treatment: What care helps with grater skin?

Targeted treatment and healing of the grater skin on the upper arms is not possible. With intensive skin care, however, the unevenness can be smoothed out. However, those affected need perseverance and care. The goals of treating keratosis pilaris are:

  • Moisturize the skin.
  • Reduce the clogging and cornification of the hair follicles.
  • Prevent inflammation.

The following measures have therefore proven effective to relieve keratosis pilaris:

  • Supply your skin with sufficient moisture from the outside and inside every day. This includes not only moisturizing skin care creams, but also fluids from the inside. To do this, drink around two liters of water a day.

  • Avoid scratching or pushing the pimples so as not to provoke inflammation

  • It is best to use creams with urea and salicylic acid. These natural substances bind moisture in the skin. With daily use, this treatment also loosens the cornifications.

  • The corresponding skin areas receive an extra portion of moisture with a urea layer. To do this, rub the calloused skin with plenty of urea lotion in the evening after showering. Enhance the effect by covering the area with some cling film and leaving this overlay on overnight.

  • Take care of your skin with oils such as coconut oil, argan oil, or olive oil. They contain valuable vitamin E, which softens and cares for the skin and protects against inflammation. Pure vitamin E oil from the pharmacy has a particularly intense effect.

  • Do a keratosis pilaris scrub once a week. To do this, apply special products with salicylic acid, lactic acid or fruit acid to the affected skin areas. Before using it for the first time, seek advice from a dermatologist. Depending on the concentration of the active ingredient, the products are quite strong and should only be used with caution, for example on the head.

  • Skin products with vitamin A improve the elasticity of the skin and help to loosen cornifications on the upper arms, for example.

  • Let fresh air on your skin as often as possible and a reasonable amount of sunshine. This can make keratosis pilaris weaker. Even better: You are on holiday by the sea, because the salt water also smooths the skin of the grater.

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