Keratosis Pilaris (follicular keratosis) is a common but harmless skin condition that causes painless, dry, rough and tiny dark bumps on the skin. It is usually seen on the upper arms, forearms, thighs and buttocks. These bumps may also have a red, brown or white colour and can also be skin-coloured.

This skin condition is harmless but because it often looks like dark goosebumps or the skin of a plucked chicken (hence the name chicken skin), people mistake the bumps for small pimples or skin reactions.

What Causes Keratosis Pilaris?

This skin condition develops when the skin produces too much of a protein called keratin, which can block hair follicles and cause bumps to develop. Those tiny rough bumps are actually plugs of dead skin cells.

Who Can Get Keratosis Pilaris?

Although Keratosis pilaris is most prominent during teenage years and even more common in children with atopic eczema or Ichthyosis Vulgaris (a genetic condition where dead skin cells look like fish scales). It may occur in children and adults of all ages but it is least common in older people.

Common Symptoms Of Keratosis Pilaris

Dry and/or itchy skin.
Rough (sandpaper-like) skin where the bumps appear.
Frictional lichenoid dermatitis (irritation of the bumps that causes them to become more noticeable).
Worsening of the bumps when the air/weather is drier (low humidity).

Some of the above symptoms can also be caused by other conditions. *Note that: Keratosis Pilaris is harmless and not contagious! However, there are very uncommon forms of keratosis pilaris in which there are scar-like follicular depressions and loss of hair on affected areas.

How Is Keratosis Pilaris Diagnosed?

Keratosis pilaris is typically diagnosed with a simple physical examination of the skin considering history, location and characteristics of the bumps. If still unsure, a sample of the skin may be taken to rule out other skin conditions.

Management And Treatment Of Keratosis Pilaris

As a harmless skin condition, no treatment is required except the look of the skin bothers you. For some people, the bumps go away on their own or become less noticeable as they grow older. However, there are management and treatment options.

General gentle skin care: Use of lukewarm water, shorter shower times
Non-soap cleansers: This is to not exacerbate dryness of the skin.
Over-the-counter moisturizing lotions: Moisturizers containing exfoliating ingredients such as salicylic acid, alpha hydroxyl acids (glycolic acid, lactic acid, etc).
Prescription-strength/Medicated Skincare products: Products containing urea, alpha-hydroxy acids, topical retinoids.