Help for Gas, Nipple Issues, and More

Q: Lately, I’ve been getting weird bumps on the outside of my thighs—you can't really see them, but you can feel them. What's causing this, and what should I do?

A: You probably have keratosis pilaris (KP), a harmless skin disorder that often goes by the charming nickname “chicken skin.” Here's the idea: keratin, a protein in your skin, can form hard plugs within hair follicles. When this happens over a large section of your body (such as on an arm, leg, buttock, or even your face), you feel those little bumps. Nearly half of us get KP at some point in our lives.

The condition will sometimes go away on its own—give it a week—but if it doesn’t, moisturizing while your skin is wet could fix it. Look for a moisturizer like Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Lotion ($11.99; drugstores) with urea or propylene glycol, chemicals that can help soften rough skin. Also, twice daily, apply a nonprescription lotion that contains lactic acid (such as AmLactin, $14); lactic acid should remove the extra keratin.

Q: I just had a baby, and now I’m totally gassy. What’s wrong?

A: All that gas is a side effect of weakened muscles and nerves in your pelvis and rectum, which makes it harder to control gas. Believe it or not, you were probably just as gassy before the baby, but it’s much more noticeable now because you can’t keep it in. Lucky you.

Controlling the gas should get easier as your muscles naturally strengthen again. Kegel exercises may be a big help. While sitting, imagine that you are trying to stop your urine flow; hold for 10 seconds, and relax for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 to 15 times, three times a day. You may also want to eat fewer gassy foods like beans, cabbage, and onions, and drink less soda, at least in the short term.