Have you or your child ever experienced rough, scaly “chicken skin” on the arms and upper thighs? you aren’t alone An estimated 50% to 80% of teenagers and 40% of adults are affected by this common, harmless skin condition called keratosis pilaris.
Symptoms and Causes of Keratosis Pilaris
Keratosis pilaris is characterised by the expansion of small red or flesh-colored bumps that give the skin a “goose-flesh” appearance. Bumps often appear on the surface of the upper arms and upper thighs, but also can appear on the face, cheeks, and buttocks. Other common symptoms include:
- Redness of the skin across the bumps
- Rough skin texture
- Dry skin
- Mild itching.
Keratosis pilaris often appears during childhood or adolescence, and steadily improves with age.
The reason behind keratosis pilaris is just not fully understood. It is regarded as brought on by a genetic mutation in a protein called filaggrin., This causes the skin to provide more keratin, which is probably the most abundant protein in our skin, hair and nails. Excess keratin plugs the hair follicles on the skin, which is why keratosis pilaris causes noticeable bumps. This condition often runs in families. It can also be commonly seen in individuals with a history of eczema and dry skin.
Treatment options for keratosis pilaris
Although treatments will help reduce the looks of characteristic patches, don't expect any treatment to clear them up quickly.
Over-the-counter and prescription medications can be found. For example:
- Topical preparations containing lactic acid, ammonium lactate, salicylic acid, urea, or a mixture of those ingredients. Topical treatments are applied to the skin.
- Topical retinoids similar to tretinoin and adapalene
- Topical steroids to assist with redness or itching
- Laser therapy.
It may take weeks of continuous treatment before you are feeling improvement. Treatment needs to be continued even in case your condition improves, to forestall reoccurrence. The only exception to that is the usage of topical steroids, including hydrocortisone. Topical steroids should only be used a couple of times every day for a couple of to 2 weeks, unless otherwise prescribed by a physician.
Often, keratosis pilaris improves and diminishes with time and age.
Self-care for the management of keratosis pilaris
Keratosis pilaris is worse within the dry winter months. It may also be worsened by clothes which can be too tight or too loose and cause friction within the affected areas.
Self-care suggestions to enhance the looks of keratosis pilaris include:
- Moisturize your skin every day with a fragrance-free, cream-based moisturizer.
- Avoid thick, tight or scratchy clothing similar to wool or spandex.
- Choose soap-free body cleansers as an alternative of harsh soaps on affected skin.
- Avoid hot and long showers and baths, which might dry out the skin.
- Don't pick on bumps.
- Use a humidifier.
The role of exfoliation within the treatment of keratosis pilaris
Skin exfoliation is the mainstay of treatment for keratosis pilaris. Exfoliation refers back to the removal of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Exfoliation may be done physically or chemically; Both methods smooth the surface of the skin and flatten the bumps. Exfoliants don’t relieve the redness or itching which may be related to keratosis pilaris.
Topical exfoliant preparations, often called keratolytics, are commonly really useful because physical exfoliation (similar to with a loofah) can further irritate the skin if used too vigorously. Keratolytics contain ingredients like lactic acid, ammonium lactate, salicylic acid, and urea, which act as chemical exfoliants and steadily smooth the skin.
All varieties of exfoliants may cause irritation if used incessantly. It's best to exfoliate two to 3 times every week, and steadily increase over time as needed and as your skin becomes more accustomed to the treatment.
Reduce your use of exfoliants in case your symptoms worsen or for those who experience dryness, redness, itching or burning.
Differentiating keratosis pilaris from other skin conditions
Keratosis pilaris is analogous to other skin conditions including eczema, pimples, and folliculitis. The following vital features help distinguish keratosis pilaris from these other skin conditions.
- itching Keratosis pilaris may occasionally itch, but often doesn’t itch. If your skin is red, dry and really itchy, it’s more prone to be dry skin or eczema..
- Bump. The classic bumps of keratosis pilaris are often small (1 to 2 mm), multiple, and provides the skin a rough or scaly texture. If you could have spots which can be large, painful, feel under the skin, or are full of pus, you might have pimples.
- Timing Keratosis pilaris often occurs during childhood or early adolescence, and steadily improves in your 20s and 30s. Although the condition may worsen or improve with certain aspects, it often never goes away completely. If you experience sudden red spots, especially pus-filled spots, often after shaving, wearing tight clothing, or spending time in a hot tub, you might have folliculitis. Folliculitis results from irritation or infection of the hair follicles.