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What Is Keratosis Pilaris?
Key Facts Of Keratosis Pilaris
Cause: Keratosis pilaris results from a buildup of keratin, a protein that protects the skin. This buildup clogs hair follicles, leading to tiny, rough bumps on the skin.
Appearance: The bumps are usually small, flesh-colored, white, or red and feel rough, like sandpaper. They typically occur on the upper arms, thighs, cheeks, or buttocks.
Symptoms: KP is usually asymptomatic, meaning it doesn’t cause pain or itchiness, but some people may experience mild irritation.
Prevalence: It is very common, affecting up to 50-80% of adolescents and around 40% of adults. It tends to decrease with age.
Risk Factors: KP often has a genetic component and can run in families. It’s also more common in people with dry skin or conditions like eczema.
Treatment: There’s no cure, but moisturizers, gentle exfoliants, and topical treatments with urea, lactic acid, or retinoids can help smooth the skin.
Keratosis pilaris (also known as follicularis pilaris, lichen pilaris, “chicken skin” or “strawberry skin“) is a common, typically harmless skin condition. It often appears in areas like the upper arms and legs, starting in early childhood and worsening in the teenage years. People with KP may also experience conditions like atopic dermatitis (itchy, dry skin), ichthyosis vulgaris (dry, scaly skin), and may have links to obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, or genetic syndromes (e.g., Down syndrome, Noonan syndrome).
Studies say it affects 50-80% teenagers and of 40% of adults. Although KP usually improves over time, treatments such as moisturizers, exfoliation, anti-inflammatory medicines, light therapy, and laser therapy are available to manage symptoms. For some people, it may disappear or decrease over age.
Keratosis pilaris isn’t an infection and is a harmless and non-contagious skin condition.
Keratosis Pilaris Symptoms
Keratosis pilaris appears as tiny bumps on skin. Skin can be rough and dry, some people feel its like goosebumps on the skin. Keratosis pilaris most commonly appears on the upper arms and thighs.
Symptoms of KP may include:
- Dry and rough skin
- Painless small bumps on your skin
- Rough, sandpaper-like skin where the bumps appear
- KP can be worse when the air is drier (winter can cause worsening vs. summer)
What Causes Keratosis Pilaris?
KP occurs when hair follicles become blocked by a build-up of keratin, a protein in skin, hair, and nails. The exact cause of this build-up is unknown, but it is believed to have a genetic component, meaning it can run in families.
Keratosis Pilaris Treatment
KP is generally symptom-free and often improves over time without treatment. Basic skin care, like using hypoallergenic soaps and avoiding picking at the bumps, can be helpful. For those who want to improve the skin’s appearance, topical treatments such as moisturizers, exfoliating acids (BHA & AHA), and urea creams may help by smoothing the skin’s texture.
More about keratosis pilaris treatment in our recent post.
More info about keratosis pilaris: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/keratosis-pilaris-overview
