If you get little white bumps that sort of resemble tiny pimples, but generally don't swell up or get sore and just stay there forever, then there's a good chance you have pillaris keratosis (ie chicken skin - yes, such an attractive name). I've got them. I inherited them from my dad, all up my upper arms. I believe that it's basically protein build-up beneath the skin...you can decrease them by using a sallycilic scrub on them (not immediately, it takes some time) and there are a couple of creams that have come out recently to treat them.
The Bumps...
If you get little white bumps that sort of resemble tiny pimples, but generally don't swell up or get sore and just stay there forever, then there's a good chance you have pillaris keratosis (ie chicken skin - yes, such an attractive name). I've got them. I inherited them from my dad, all up my upper arms. I believe that it's basically protein build-up beneath the skin...you can decrease them by using a sallycilic scrub on them (not immediately, it takes some time) and there are a couple of creams that have come out recently to treat them.