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Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition that causes bumpy and occasionally red skin, often on the arms, legs, buttocks, and face. It is caused by a buildup of the protein keratin and can be treated with medications or self-care tips, but there is no cure. Scrubbing the skin roughly can make the problem worse, and moisturizers containing lactic acid tend to work best. Follow-up visits with a doctor are usually not necessary unless taking prescribed medications.
Keratosis pilaris is an uncomfortable but usually not serious condition that can affect anyone’s skin, making the skin appear bumpy and occasionally red. The condition is quite common in children, often clearing up as children age, but some people continue to be affected for most of their lives. While there is no treatment that will eliminate the condition and it is not normally necessary to treat the condition, there are some medications and some self-care tips that can help reduce the appearance of uneven skin.
Most people get keratosis pilaris on the arms, legs, buttocks, and face. It often comes in patches, so that an entire area of skin will appear to have constant goosebumps. The skin may also feel rough or frosted. Unless irritated by other things, these bumps don’t tend to itch, but the look can be bothersome to some, especially when bumps appear on the face where they can actually scar the skin.
What causes keratosis pilaris is a buildup of the protein keratin. It can form plugs in the hair follicles, resulting in an uneven skin appearance. There is often no identifiable reason why people get the condition, although in some cases, if your parents had it, you are genetically more prone to have it too. It’s not caused simply by dry skin, as many think, but dry skin can make the bumps feel even rougher.
Diagnosis can usually be made in a doctor’s office, and a dermatologist will definitely be able to identify the condition, usually by examining the tiny plugs in the skin, often called “horny plugs,” produced by keratin buildup. Once the condition has been diagnosed, unless it causes significant concerns about appearance, prescribed medical treatment is usually unnecessary. When a person wants to minimize the appearance of the condition, one of the following might be prescribed:
Retinoid or vitamin A creams, which can help unplug hair follicles.
Creams or lotions with urea, a protein in urine, which can soften the skin and help reduce any skin irritation caused by the condition.
Topical corticosteroids, usually low-strength, can be used on areas that may heal, such as the face.
Ammonium lactate, which can soften plugs and the overall feel of the skin.
These treatments must be applied daily to see reduction in the appearance of keratosis pilaris and will not remove or cure the condition. For those who prefer home treatment, it’s important to realize that scrubbing the skin roughly can actually make the problem worse. It is advisable not to use products for peeling the skin and to dry gently after a shower.
Moisturizers that contain lactic acid generally work best to treat this condition. Lactic acid tends to act on keratin and remove it from the skin. Getting some sun, but not too much, can also help. Many people find that the condition improves during the summer but comes back with a vengeance during the other seasons. Unless none of the skin bumps show signs of infection or irritation, follow-up visits with a doctor after diagnosis are usually not necessary, unless you are taking prescribed medications to treat the condition.
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