Dry, rough skin

I've had this skin problem for years and I don't know what it is. On the back of my arms and face, I have tiny little fat spots. They aren't red but they make my skin very rough and when I scratch them hard, tiny bits of fat comes out. I'm very lean, I'm not overweight at all and I eat quite well. I also have them on the backs of my legs and on my thighs. I try scrubbing them in the shower but it just makes the skin red. Anyone know what this is and what I can do? Oh and I think it's heriditory cos my sister and Grandad have it.

Reply 1

starya

Are you sure it's fat that's coming out? Wouldn't that be slightly weird?

Reply 2

Sam Beckett

7

Try using some hydrocortisone cream on it. Or other (steroid) cream that helps with skin irritations. Buy it or a similar product from Boots etc.

Reply 3

PapeeChumo

This probably obvious advice but I would say go to yor local GP for advice on the most suitable treatment for yourself :smile:

Reply 4

Shockley

15

Sam Beckett

Try using some hydrocortisone cream on it. Or other (steroid) cream that helps with skin irritations. Buy it or a similar product from Boots etc.

Well it isn't an irritation. It never flares up or anything, it's just there. It's not even itchy but it's a bloody pain in the neck.

Reply 5

xelprep

Anonymous function is great, isn't it?

Reply 6

Shockley

15

xelprep

Anonymous function is great, isn't it?

Yes, you're right there! It's probably not a big deal because you can't notice it. Come on medical students, you must know something!! A gold star for the first correct diagnosis!!

Reply 7

starya

I'm not a medical student but sounds like it could be exzema. Although exzema's usually itchy and red.. :hmmm:

Reply 8

Anonymous #2

starya

I'm not a medical student but sounds like it could be exzema. Although exzema's usually itchy and red.. :hmmm:

obviously not.

you say its bits of fat (though how you could know its fat i'm not sure) and that it runs in the family.
i'm just wondering if you've ever heard/been told phrases like
hypercholesteraemia and xanthoma by your doctor..?
C

Reply 9

Logan

4

maybe that is oil or something.. oily skin I suppose??? but if you have dry chappy skin its always advisable that you apply lotion everyday, keeps skin healthy and moist....

Reply 10

Choclot

1

Hey,
I had the same problem and if you can go to the doctors or even better see a dermatologist (skin doctor person) who can diagnose it. I have Keratosis Pilaris which causes spots along my legs and back of arms-they go really red when i scrub them in the shower-type in keratosis pilaris into a web search and pictures will come up showing the condition, or go to http://www.helpforkp.com/keratosis_pilaris_tips_index.html#anchor_87
and theres also a keratosis pilaris message board on the web.
Also, if you go to the doctors with the information they will give you lots of prescription medicences such as creams and shower gels which have really helped me.
Hope that helps!

Reply 11

starya

Anonymous

obviously not.

you say its bits of fat (though how you could know its fat i'm not sure) and that it runs in the family.
i'm just wondering if you've ever heard/been told phrases like
hypercholesteraemia and xanthoma by your doctor..?
C

Yes, I am very aware of that and never said I'd be right. That was just an option that came to mind.

What I don't get is how in the world could you have bits of fat coming out of your skin.. Can anyone explain this?

Reply 12

RetiredAccount89

18

starya

Yes, I am very aware of that and never said I'd be right. That was just an option that came to mind.

What I don't get is how in the world could you have bits of fat coming out of your skin.. Can anyone explain this?

xanthomas - fatty lesions in the skin. not very common, and a sign of heart problems to come due to excess cholesterol in the blood.
As was said above really.

Reply 13

Shockley

15

Choclot

Hey,
I had the same problem and if you can go to the doctors or even better see a dermatologist (skin doctor person) who can diagnose it. I have Keratosis Pilaris which causes spots along my legs and back of arms-they go really red when i scrub them in the shower-type in keratosis pilaris into a web search and pictures will come up showing the condition, or go to http://www.helpforkp.com/keratosis_pilaris_tips_index.html#anchor_87
and theres also a keratosis pilaris message board on the web.
Also, if you go to the doctors with the information they will give you lots of prescription medicences such as creams and shower gels which have really helped me.
Hope that helps!

Cheers! This is finally the info I need. At last I can give it a name!!
Oh and by the way, even though I posted as Anonymous before I wasn't meant to so I turned it off cos i couldn't be bothered. Well thanks anyway, thats really helpful. OH, and everyone else, fat does not just leak out of my skin! It's just tiny little bits of fat like oil in spots, can't really see it.

Dry, rough skin

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