Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis pilaris is skin condition which is mostly found in teenagers on the upper arms. Keratosis pilaris is a skin disorder which is common and this condition is usually characterized by small bumps on the back of the arms. It often occurs in people who have rough dry skin. Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a disorder of hyperkeratosis. It is a very common benign condition that manifests as folliculocentric keratotic papules. Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition in which keratin, a protein in the skin, forms hard plugs within hair follicles. Although no etiology has been defined, KP is often described in association with ichthyosis vulgaris and less commonly with atopic dermatitis.

Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition that looks like small goose bumps, which are actually dead skin cells that build up around the hair follicle. Keratosis pilaris tends to be more severe during the winter months or other times of low humidity when skin dries out. It can disappear for years, or appear for the first time in adult life. The disorder results from a buildup of keratin, a protein, in the opening of the hair follicles in the skin. This makes the affected skin feel rough. Keratosis pilaris usually occurs on the arms, thighs and cheeks. It's more common in children than in adults. The disorder may be associated with eczema (dermatitis).

Variants of keratosis pilaris include:

Keratosis pilaris rubra: reddened lesions

Keratosis pilaris atrophicans faciei: facial follicular atrophy (small scar-like depressions)

Ulerythema ophryogenes: involvement of the outer eyebrows

Atrophoderma vermiculata: severe worm-eaten appearance of the cheeks

Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans: a rare familial variant which results in bald areas on the scalp and eyebrows

Lichen spinulosus: solitary or multiple patches of follicular papules topped with scaly spines on any part of the body.

Symptoms of Keratosis Pilaris

The symptoms of keratosis pilaris are based on the development of small white papules the size of a grain of sand on the upper arms, thighs, and occasionally the buttocks and face. Here are the common Symptoms of Keratosis Pilaris:

fine, bumpy texture to skin over the outer upper arm and thigh or elsewhere

bumps the size of a grain of sand and skin colored

slight pinkness may be seen around some bumps

Treatment of Keratosis Pilaris

Patient can supplement the natural removal of dry skin and papules by using a loofah or another type of scrub showering or bathing.

A can also be prescribed by the dermatologist and applied one to two times daily. Systemic (oral) medications are not prescribed for keratosis pilaris.

Keratosis pilaris can be controlled with alpha hydroxyacid gel, but there is no cure for this condition.

Moisturizing lotions are often soothing and may help the appearance of the skin. Topical treatment with medications containing urea, lactic acid, Retin A (tretinoin), or vitamin D may be recommended by your physician. However, improvement often takes months and recurrence is likely.