HomeAnswersGeneral MedicineblackheadsWhat are the small painless bubbles on the arm?

How can I treat the small painless bubbles on the arm?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At June 5, 2017
Reviewed AtAugust 24, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have these small painless bubbles on my arm for a long time now (almost two years). First, there were not much but now they are spreading all over my arm slowly. It makes me uncomfortable in wearing short sleeve clothes. Please help me.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

These are comedo or blackheads (attachment removed to protect patient identity), are small bumps that appear on your skin due to clogged hair follicles. These bumps are due to the production of too much body oil, the buildup of the acne bacteria, irritation of the hair follicles when dead skins cells do not shed on a regular basis, undergoing hormonal changes that cause an increase in oil production, taking certain drugs, such as Corticosteroids, Lithium, or Androgens.

Choose oil-free lotions, and sunscreens to avoid making your problem worse if you are using some. You should once visit the dermatologist for examination. These are treated with Benzoyl Peroxide lotion 2.5 % applied two times a day. You need a wash and keep your skin clean and oil free. Exfoliating scrubs dead skin cells and can help reduce blackheads.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Actually, I do not use any kind of creams on my body and I never take medications also. So my skin is more likely to be dry. My sister has the same symptoms on her arm also.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, it is probably genetic due to plugging of dead skin. So you can try lotion for one to two weeks. You will probably need skin scrubber cream, you can get one prescribed from the dermatologist as I can see there is a lot of dead skin is accumulated which can block pores and leads to a comedo.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode
Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode

Cardiology

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