Written by Maryann Mikhail, MD | Reviewed by Sophie Vergnaud, MD
Published on October 5, 2021
Key takeaways:
Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a common skin condition that isn’t contagious or harmful.
There’s no cure or way to prevent KP.
KP can improve with the right skin care, moisturizers, and prescription topicals.
Cropped shot of a person with keratosis pilaris on the beach.Patricio Nahuelhual/iStock via Getty Images Plus
If you have keratosis pilaris (KP), you might see and feel rough, tiny bumps on your upper arms, thighs, or buttocks. KP isn’t harmful or contagious, but it can be bothersome. You can’t cure or prevent KP. But you can improve it with proper skin care, over-the-counter moisturizers, and prescription topical treatments.
What is keratosis pilaris?
Keratosis pilaris (KP) is so common that it’s considered a variation of normal skin. Most people say it looks like plucked chicken skin and feels like rough sandpaper. KP can be reddish or purple in light skin, darkly colored in skin of color, or it can blend in with the color of your skin. The most common places you’ll find KP are the outer arms, thighs, and buttocks. But it can also affect other areas, like the face. Some people find it itchy or irritating. It’s not dangerous and not contagious.
What causes keratosis pilaris?
The root cause of KP is when dead skin cells cause a buildup of keratin at the openings of hair follicles. In some cases, the keratin plug looks like a pimple. Unlike actual acne pimples, these don’t contain skin surface bacteria.
We don’t know exactly why the keratin buildup happens. But it might be related to changes in the skin’s barrier function. It isn’t autoimmune, infectious, or triggered by any particular food. KP is often linked to eczema. And it tends to get worse in the winter or in low humidity, when the skin tends to dry out more easily. It’s also been linked to having overweight.
Who gets keratosis pilaris?
KP is very common. It affects 50 to 80% of adolescents and 40% of adults. It runs in families and is associated with some genetic conditions. It’s more common in people with dry skin and eczema.
Some risk factors for KP include:
Having a family member with KP
Asthma
Hay fever
Excess body weight
Ichthyosis vulgaris, a condition characterized by very dry skin that looks like fish scales
What can I do to improve my keratosis pilaris?
For most people, KP improves with age. There’s no way to completely prevent or cure it. Sun exposure can help, but too much sun increases your risk of getting skin cancer. The best thing to do for KP is gentle skin care. This means:
Take just one short shower a day with warm water (not hot).
Use a gentle soap that contains ceramide (for example, Cetaphil Restoraderm and CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash).
Exfoliate gently with a loofah, buff puff, or washcloth. Avoid scrubbing.
Moisturize with a cream within 5 minutes of showering. Some good options are Aveeno, CeraVe and Cetaphil Restoraderm
Reapply moisturizer 2 to 3 times a day.
Avoid popping, picking, or scratching the bumps.
Consider using a humidifier when the air is dry.
Treatment
Treatment options for KP include over-the-counter topicals, prescriptions medications, and cosmetic procedures.
Keratolytics
These products soften keratin and exfoliate dead skin cells. In KP, they help smooth and soften the skin. They are available over the counter. Examples include:
Ammonium lactate (Amlactin) lotion
Urea cream
Salicylic acid
Lactic acid
Glycolic acid
Retinoids
Retinoids are derived from Vitamin A. They help skin cells turnover and prevent them from plugging the hair follicles. Retinoids are available by prescription (adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene). They’re not safe to use if you’re pregnant.
Anti-inflammatory medications
If your KP is red or irritated, temporarily using a topical cortisone can help calm the inflammation and even the skin tone. Cortisones can thin the skin, so it’s best to use these only when necessary.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is an in-office procedure where a specific acid is applied to exfoliate the skin. The removal of the dead skin cells helps smooth KP.
Lasers
Different lasers have been tried for KP. But none have been proven to work definitively.
The bottom line
Keratosis pilaris is a harmless skin condition. It doesn’t require treatment and may improve on its own over time. If you want to do something about it, there are different options that can help. But there’s no definitive cure.
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