What it is
It often gets better with age and tends to be worse in winter.
There is no cure, but moisturisers and creams containing urea, lactic acid or salicylic acid can make the skin smoother.
Common signs
- Small, rough bumps on the skin
- Skin that feels like sandpaper
- Red, brown or skin-coloured bumps
- Mild itching, sometimes
How it is usually diagnosed
- Examination of the skin
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Notes on creams that helped
Questions to ask your doctor
- Which creams could help?
- Is it linked to eczema?
- Will it go away?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Bumps that become painful, swollen or filled with pus with fever: get it checked, it may be an infection
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.