Keratosis Pilaris (Chicken Skin): Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatment

What Is Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is a skin condition where you will see bumps on your skin. These bumps are small, painless, and contain keratin (a protein that forms the hair, nail, and your skin’s outer layer). These can appear red, brown, or white. This skin condition is KP or chicken skin since it appears like gooseflesh.

What Are the Symptoms and Appearance of Keratosis Pilaris?

The signs and symptoms of KP include:

• Painless small bumps on forearms, back, thighs, and buttocks.

• Dry and itchy skin around the bumps.

• Irritation of the bumps.

• Sandpaper-like lumps that resemble goose flesh.

• Worsening of the bumps in dry air and low humidity, like in winter.

What Are the Causes of Keratosis Pilaris?

The tiny bumps you notice on your skin when you are diagnosed with KP are due to the collection of keratin. These bumps are often confused for clusters of small pimples. Instead, keratosis pilaris bumps occur when keratin blocks the pores (openings seen on the skin’s surface from where your hair will come out of the skin) on your skin.

This causes dry, rough patches and small bumps. It is still unclear why keratin builds up in some people and not others. This may be due to genetic factors, which means changes in certain genes make some individuals prone to this condition. Also, if you have eczema (dry and itchy skin), you risk developing keratosis pilaris, which may be related to vitamin A deficiency.

What Are Keratosis Pilaris Risk Factors?

Risk factors of keratosis pilaris include the following -

• Family history of keratosis pilaris.

• Fair or light-skinned.

• Skin conditions include eczema (red, swollen, and itchy) and ichthyosis vulgaris (dry and scaly skin resembling fish scales).

• Asthma.

• Hypothyroidism (less thyroid hormones).

• Cushing’s syndrome (increased cortisol levels).

• Diabetes (high blood sugar levels).

• Obesity.

How to Diagnose Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is easily detected by physical examination due to small bumps on the skin. Laboratory tests are not required to confirm the diagnosis of KP. The location and characteristic features of the bumps can help the provider identify the condition.

What Are the Differential Conditions of Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris resembles a few conditions mentioned below, and is often mistaken for them.

• Folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles).

• Eczema (dry and itchy skin).

• Acne (small bumps or pustules).

• Ichthyosis (thick, dry, and scaly skin due to hyperkeratinization (thickening of the skin’s outer layer due to excess keratin deposition)).

How to Treat Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is usually harmless and resolves on its own with time. Meanwhile, you can use moisturizers or lotions to help improve your skin health. If moisturizers or home remedies do not work, you can consult your doctor to receive medicated creams to treat KP.

Some of them are as follows -

• Your doctor may prescribe alpha hydroxy acids, urea, salicylic acid, or lactic acid creams. These acids act as natural exfoliants and help loosen and eliminate dead skin cells. These are available in prescription and non-prescription strengths. Your doctor will choose what works best for you and instruct you on how frequently to use it.

• Topical retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that help prevent keratin plug formation by improving cell turnover. They include Tretinoin and Tazarotene and should be used cautiously, as excess use may irritate the skin.

• Moisturizers help hydrate your skin and minimize and smooth bumps. You should apply moisturizer when your skin is damp after bathing. You can also apply over-the-counter moisturizers daily to improve your skin health.

• In some individuals, KP can cause discoloration. Laser therapy helps treat it.

What Home Remedies Can Help Keratosis Pilaris?

Some of the home remedies that help with keratosis pilaris are as follows -

• You can use apple cider vinegar since it contains malic acid, which helps exfoliate skin. But it can irritate individuals with sensitive skin. To avoid this, mix it with equal amount of water and apply using a cotton applicator.

• Coconut oil's anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties help decrease inflammation and act as a moisturiser.

• Baking soda is a mild natural exfoliant. Mix it with equal amount of water to form a paste and apply it to the affected areas.

• In individuals with KP, drinking plenty of water can help keep the skin hydrated and healthy, reducing the appearance of bumps since dryness exacerbates the condition.

These home remedies help improve your skin health and do not cure it completely. Discuss with your doctor before using any of the above-mentioned home remedies.

Lifestyle Tips:

• Use warm water and take shorter showers (10 minutes or less), as long showers remove the natural oil from your body.

• Avoid using harsh, drying soaps, and be gentle to the skin. Use a washcloth or loofah in small circular motions to remove dead cells. Avoid scrubbing too hard, as it can irritate your skin and worsen the symptoms.

• Apply a moisturizer containing lanolin, petroleum jelly, or glycerin when your skin is damp after bathing. These ingredients help soothe dry skin bumps and lock in moisture.

• You should use a humidifier to add moisture to the air since low humidity dries your skin and worsens the condition.

• You should avoid wearing clothes that are too tight. Protect the affected skin from friction by wearing loose clothes.

Special Considerations for Dark Skin:

Keratosis pilaris may cause hyperpigmentation, leading to dark patches in dark-skinned individuals. To prevent the dark spots from worsening, extra care is needed to treat keratosis pilaris in dark skin, which requires gentle skin care.

1. Use cream-based moisturizers every day after showers to soothe your skin and prevent dryness.

2. Use mild chemical exfoliants to remove dead skin cells.

3. Fading creams containing Hydroquinone, Azelaic acid, or Kojic acid help lighten the dark spots caused by KP.

When to See a Dermatologist?

You should consult a dermatologist online in the following situations.

• If your skin condition fails to improve with your home remedies or OTC medications.

• If it affects your confidence.

Consulting a doctor without delay will help in easy recovery and improve skin health without complications.

Conclusion

Keratosis pilaris is a skin condition that causes small bumps due to a protein called keratin clogging hair follicles. Treatment involves medications, lifestyle modifications, and home-based remedies. Get expert dermatologist advice online if your symptoms do not improve with home remedies or OTC medications.

Key Takeaways

• Keratosis pilaris is a harmless skin condition that causes small bumps on your upper arms, thighs, and butt.

• Keratosis pilaris is diagnosed by physical examination, and there is no specific test to diagnose the condition.

• Consult our dermatologist online for a tailored treatment plan if you are worried about your keratosis pilaris.