Hi guys,

This seems to be a common trait among my ethnicity (indian), and it is having small red pin prick little dots on the sides of the top of your arms.

Now whether or not this is acne I don't know. They are within the skin and not raised whatsoever but you can kind of feel they are there when you brush your fingers over them.

In my case, I have it quite bad on my left arm and a little bit on my right. This is also all over my back which is particularly annoying. My GP said it is acne and prescribed me some Tetralysal 300 but it has done nothing apart from give me nausea. He won't refer to be a dermatologist either as my condition isn't serious, which I guess is understandable.

Is it acne or not? I'm not sure... is there anything to get rid of it? Would be ever so grateful if anyone could help. Diagnosing what this is for a start would be useful. I have attached some pictures. Sorry they are not very clear, but it's hard to capture them in pictures and much more apparent on real-life viewing!

hmmm, really does not look like acne, to me atleast. Im suprised your GP put you on tetralysal for it. Sorry I coudnt help much.

No problem. I'm not sure why either.

I found two more pics I took several years ago, one of my back.

Thankfully, my back is nowhere near as bad now but the dots in my skin are still there (they are quite apparent in the back photo) and I think are the same thing which is on my arms. Pics below:

I was told this recently r.e. my back, not sure if it's accurate though:

On your back, it appears to be mild acne.

isn't acne as such, but they are pimples and I can't think of the technical name for it off the top of my head, but it's where hairs curl up inside a folicle and become infected.

I think giving hyper keritinisation...

He also said it looks like Keratosis Pilaris.

Anyone else?

Hello.. I navigated and looked through pictures of keratosis pilaris (commonly called chicken skin condition) since it looks like it's what you have..(very subjective on my side, you need a specialist for skin--a derm--not GP).

Some of my friends usually have that during harsh weather conditions (esp on cold seasons).. here's a link of more pics to compare from if it's similar to what you're having right now (you have the better vantage point of your skin)

http://images.google.com.ph/images?client=...ved=0CCwQsAQwAw

and if it is, here's another link for a relief and some treatment:

http://www.steadyhealth.com/red_dots_on_arms___t208723.html

TC!

Thanks hun.

glad to help..hope they go away soon=)