The condition is characterized by small bumps or elevations in the skin measuring 1-2 millimeters. The bumps can be red, brown, or white. The affected skin may feel rough like sandpaper due to the dryness of the bumps. The most common areas for these bumps to appear are the outer arms, but they can also occur on the thighs, buttocks, cheeks, forearms, and upper back.
The exact cause of the bumpy skin in keratosis pilaris is unknown. The condition is more common in individuals with ichthyosis and atopic eczema. It is a completely harmless condition but can be perceived as cosmetically bothersome.
Keratosis pilaris is caused by a disturbance in the skin's keratinization around the hair follicles. An excess of keratin is produced, which clogs the hair follicle openings and manifests as small bumps on the skin. Some refer to this as "chicken skin," and it can feel like sandpaper. In some cases, redness and inflammation can occur around the hair follicles. It is a very common condition that can occur at any age and often resolves on its own.
Keratosis pilaris does not require treatment as long as it does not bother you. There is also no permanent effective treatment available. Therefore, treatment usually focuses on skincare for the bumps.
Some people choose to use a scrub and a coarse cloth or brush to exfoliate the bumps while showering. Scrubs generally have an exfoliating effect and remove dead skin cells, but it is worth noting that they can cause skin redness and inflammation.
There are moisturizers available with ingredients such as salicylic acid, lactic acid, propylene glycol, or high urea content that can be purchased at a pharmacy. Regular application of these moisturizers can help smooth out the bumps, but often the bumps return as soon as you stop using the moisturizer.
In some cases, there may be a need for medical treatment in the form of corticosteroid cream for redness or tretinoin cream (vitamin A) as a form of exfoliating treatment.
