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Keratosis pilaris
Definition
Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition in which a protein in the skin called keratin forms hard plugs within hair follicles.
Causes
Keratosis pilaris is harmless (benign). It seems to run in families. It is more common in people who have very dry skin, or who have atopic dermatitis (eczema).
The condition is generally worse in winter and often clears in the summer.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Small bumps that look like "goose bumps" on the back of the upper arms and thighs
- Bumps feel like very rough sandpaper
- Skin-colored bumps are the size of a grain of sand
- Slight pinkness may be seen around some bumps
- Bumps may appear on the face and be mistaken for acne
Exams and Tests
Your doctor or nurse can usually diagnose this condition by looking at your skin. Tests are usually not needed.
Treatment
Treatment may include:
- Moisturizing lotions to soothe the skin and help it look better
- Skin creams that contain urea, lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, tretinoin, or vitamin D
- Steroid creams to reduce redness
Improvement often takes months and the bumps are likely to come back.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Keratosis pilaris may fade slowly with age.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your doctor or nurse if the bumps are bothersome and do not get better with lotions you buy without a prescription.
Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
