Take a guess, what's red, bumpy, hereditary and dry? It's Keratosis Pilaris. Loads of people have it, including myself. You may have it and not even know it. It is annoying, unsightly, and it doesn't go away. There is no cure for it. But there are ways to keep it at bay.

Keratosis pilaris is a simple skin condition caused by lack of moisture in the epidermis. Keratin, a natural protein in the skin, surrounds and entraps the hair follicles in the pore. It can manifest itself as a red patchy rash usually on the upper arms, buttocks and thighs. It will look like a bunch of small bumps, sometimes white heads may form but usually they will be small and red in color. Many people have this condition, and it is mostly seen in females.

There are some principles I have learned for dealing with keratosis pilaris. You may have already tried several skin care products. The following six principles are easy and cheap ways to fix the problem without seeing a doctor. You may already do some of them, but continue reading to find out what you can work on to lessen those annoying bumps.

Six Principles for Keratosis Pilaris Bumps

First Principle: Loofa

Use a loofa in the shower, and scrub your whole body. This will remove dead and dry skin from the surface and will then reduce pore clogging.

Second Principle: Be Gentle Washing Your Face

The face is more prevalent and the skin is more sensitive here. Therefore, be gentle when washing your face. Vigorous scrubbing or removal of the plugs on the face may only irritate your skin and aggravate the condition.

Third Principle: Be Gentle When Drying Your Skin

After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on the skin. This will help the skin fight the excess production of keratin which causes the problem in the first place.

Fourth Principle: Cream

The fourth principle is to use a high quality cream or lotion that should be applied daily. The best lotions for this condition have urea, 15% alphahydroxy acids, or Retin A in them. This should be applied after showering, as well as several times a day. The lotions are often soothing and can help improve the appearance of the skin.

Fifth Principle: Light Skin Peel

A mild peeling agent with alpha hydroxy acids may open up the plugged follicles. You don't have to go see a doctor for this. You can purchase these light peels at a beauty supply store or a drug store.

Sixth Principle: Humidify Your Home

A humid environment will make a difference for your skin. Use a portable home humidifier or one attached to your furnace to add moisture to the air inside your home. Especially in the winter time when the heat is on, the air in your home may become extremely dry. This is the best time for humidifier.