White spots all over my arms (In my 30's definately not puberty)

[Giddygirl]

In the last year I have discovered that I have these small white raised spots all over my arms. If squeezed contain a white fatty substance. I normally have very smooth blemish free skin.  Are these milk spots? is it a vitamin deficiency? no amount of scrubbing seems to work - please help.

[spunkypumpkn]

It sounds like you have a very common skin problem called 'molluscum contagiosum'.

 
It is a viral infection of the skin. It appears as small, pearl-shaped spots which are pink/whitish in colour. It may occur at any age but is typically found in children.

It is not a serious disease and usually clears up within a few months. It can, however, last for up to two years.

It is an infection caused by a virus called poxvirus. The infection can result from direct contact, including sexual contact, or by indirect contact, such as sharing towels, or from swimming pools.

The incubation period from the time of initial contact until the molluscum or spots appear is anything from two to eight weeks. 

Most doctors will just send you away and tell you that it will go of it own accord. However, if you do a search via google for 'molloscum contagiosum', you will find several websites which suggest how to treat it.

For further info... here is a good website..
 http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/Mollusc umContagiosum.htm

[The Tiggster]

I'm interested in your question as I have had these little spots for many years (10+) Are they at the back of your arms, in other words to you have to peer round the back of your arms to see them?

I assumed that they were like the arms version of blackheads so just squeeze them when they appear. They have not spread or caused me any harm or stress & I know that my friend has them too.

[Giddygirl]

The spots are no bigger than a pin head but are on the backs of my arms.

[Giddygirl]

Thanks for your advice ************ but I have looked on the web and it is definately not molloscum contagiosum. These small pimples are white in colour like milk spots?

[curiosity]

There is a very common skin condition called Keritosis Pilaris which is most commonly on the top of arms at the back, also the top of legs. It feels rough and pimply, white dry bits come out of it, and with some you can squeeze out a substance which feels as you describe. It tends to run in families and is common for fair people. It's not painful or itchy it's more an annoying cosmetic problem. It does however tend to be with you from an early age, so it might not be this. Doctors prescribe moisturisers and something called Retin A Gel (found in expensive antiwrinkle creams) and also exfoliation. The retin A increases the rate of skin renewal which is part of the original problem. All that said it could be nothing like it, but I bet you know someone with it, it really is that common.

[soozmac]

I had this for years, lack of sunshine seemed to make it flare up. I got rid of it by using wash gloves (available in Boots, Superdrug etc) and Sanex. I also put the Body Shop's Tea Tree gel onto my arms at night. I've not had them for years. Maybe it was an infection which just died out by itself, but if so, I had it for about 10 years.

[spunkypumpkn]

Hi Giddygirl.

When you squeeze the spot... does the white stuff that comes out tend to be in a discreet 'blob'.... like you could play with it between your fingers... or is it more 'runny' and 'liquidy'??

Does it bleed from the pore once you have squeezed it? I'm still leaning towards it being Molosscum.

[Mayday]

HI Giddy Girl, I also have the same problem. They seem to appear in random places, and are not a collection of lumps as per the symptoms of "MC". Have you ever suffered from mild eczma maybe? I have done some research and it appears that it may be the cause. What happens is as the skin is renewing and shedding of its dead cells, parts of the skin's follicles get blocked which causes these white spots to appear. They look like white heads or tiny boils and you can squeeze them quite easily. Applying tea tree oil helps, but definately drink lots of water.Ps. Scrubbing too much may cause the skin to think it is dry and therefore produce excess sebum ie. the oil in the spots. Hope I have helped.

[Giddygirl]

Hi ************

The spots are randomly spaced out, not clustered and when you squeeze them it is more of a white blob, which is thick in substance not runny. If I squeeze I get a small scab afterwards so yes it bleeds ??

[spunkypumpkn]

Hey Giddygirl.

In that case... definately Molluscum.

Pop them all out and see what happens. Check to see if any of your family/partner/friends have them, as they're contagious, and you'll stand a  good chance of getting them back if they still have them and you have fairly close contact.

[AndreCook]

im a boy 15 years old.. I have them to... and i really hate it... i cant use t-shirts without arms because evryone looks at my arms. mine are white spots beyind my arms lots of them all joined together. i take them out easly but they just come back... please help me... is this normal?