Keratosis pilaris, commonly known as “chicken skin,” causes raised bumps on the skin, especially on the upper arms, and is often genetic. It can be managed with moisturizers and exfoliants, and the bumps often clear up with age. Low humidity can exacerbate the condition, and covering it with makeup is not recommended.
Chicken skin is a common and harmless skin condition that causes raised lumps to appear in the skin, especially on the upper arms. The formal name for this condition is keratosis pilaris, but it is commonly known as “chicken skin” due to the characteristic bumpy appearance, which resembles the skin of a plucked chicken. There are treatments that patients can use to manage it, and the bumps often clear up with age.
There appears to be a genetic link to this condition and it tends to emerge during puberty. The patient may initially think that the nodules are acne, but they are actually formed from keratin plugs within the hair follicles. Instead of exfoliating, the keratin builds up and creates a lump. Depending on the patient, the lumps may be reddish or roughly flesh-colored. They can be found on the face and legs as well as arms and can cause discomfort due to their unsightly appearance.
Low humidity can exacerbate the condition, as skin dries out and becomes even harder to exfoliate. In the winter months, when the indoor air can be very dry, the patient may notice that the chicken’s skin is much worse. Conditions like eczema can occur at the same time and can cause redness and itching in addition to the lumps.
Moisturizers will help minimize bumps, especially if they contain alpha and beta hydroxy acids. Many patients can find an effective moisturizer off the shelf, and a doctor may also prescribe a more aggressive moisturizer with added exfoliants if it seems necessary. Regular exfoliation can help too; pumice stone can lift the top layers of dead skin and remove keratin plugs, as can a variety of other exfoliants. It is recommended that you do a small patch test on the inside of your elbow before applying an exfoliating product to determine if it causes a skin reaction.
This condition is not contagious and poses no health risk. Chicken skin patients who feel uncomfortable in public due to the appearance of their skin may find it helpful to adopt a strict skin care regimen to reduce the size of the bumps. Covering chicken skin with makeup is not recommended, as it can worsen the condition by plugging the follicles and drying out the skin. The genetic nature of this condition makes it likely that a patient’s case will be similar to that of family members, and patients with concerns can ask older family members if they experienced the condition in their youth and how long it took to resolve the bumps .
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