Medical Centric

KERATOSIS PILARIS

Men's Health, Skin Conditions, Women's Health / By

KERATOSIS PILARIS

  • Keratosis pilaris is a common, harmless skin condition that causes small, hard bumps that may make your skin feel like sandpaper.
  • You may have heard it called “chicken skin.”
  • The bumps are often light-colored.
  • They usually appear on your upper arms, thighs, and buttocks, sometimes with redness or swelling.
  • They can also show up on your face, but that’s less common.
  • Many children and teens get it, and it usually disappears as they get older.
  • The bumps usually don’t hurt or itch.
  • The condition usually disappears by age 30.

Symptoms

  • Keratosis pilaris can occur at any age, but it’s more common in young children.
  • Signs and symptoms include:
  • Painless tiny bumps, typically on the upper arms, thighs, cheeks, or buttocks
  • Dry, rough skin in the areas with bumps
  • Worsening when seasonal changes cause low humidity and dry skin
  • Sandpaper-like bumps resembling goose flesh

 

  • Except for some possible itching, keratosis pilaris doesn’t hurt and doesn’t get worse.

Causes

  • Keratosis pilaris is caused by the buildup of keratin — a hard protein that protects skin from harmful substances and infection.
  • The keratin blocks the opening of hair follicles, causing patches of rough, bumpy skin.
  • It’s not clear why keratin builds up in people with keratosis pilaris.
  • It may occur in association with a genetic disease or with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis.
  • If you have dry skin, you’re more likely to have keratosis pilaris.
  • It’s usually worse in the winter months, when there’s less moisture in the air, and then may clear up in the summer.
  • It often affects people with certain skin conditions, including eczema (also called atopic dermatitis).

Treatment

  • There’s no cure for keratosis pilaris, but moisturizing lotions or creams may help your skin look and feel better.
  • Two types of products that go directly on the affected skin often improve keratosis pilaris.
  • You’ll need to use them daily for several weeks before you’ll see a change.
Topical exfoliants
  • They remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin.
  • These include creams that contain alpha-hydroxy acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, or urea.
  • The acids may cause redness or a slight burning, so they aren’t recommended for young children.
Topical retinoids
  • Vitamin A help prevent hair follicles from getting plugged.
  • These include products with the ingredients tretinoin (Atralin, Avita, Renova, and Retin-A) and tazarotene (Avage, Tazorac).
  • But topical retinoids may irritate your skin or cause redness or peeling.
  • Women who are pregnant, nursing, or may become pregnant should avoid topical retinoids.

Laser treatment:

  • Aiming a laser onto the skin – is sometimes used to treat severe redness and inflammation.
  • It isn’t a cure, but it may provide some relief when creams and lotions aren’t enough.
  • Several sessions for this treatment are needed for successful results.
Home Remedies
  • Keep your skin moist to lessen its effects.
  • Don’t scratch at the bumps or rub your skin roughly.
  • Use warm water rather than hot for bathing and showering.
  • Limit your time in the water.
  • Try soap that has added oil or fat.
  • Use thick moisturizers generously on the skin.
  • Add moisture to the air in your home with a humidifier.
  • Don’t wear tight clothes (friction can irritate your skin).