Keratosis Pilaris Treatment

Keratosis pilaris treatment

Jean Cherry BSN, MBA

As summer approaches, we tend to pay more attention to our skin, noticing its texture from head to toe, as we sport tank tops, swimsuits, and fancy sundresses.

But what about the bumpy skin on your upper arms that looks like goosebumps? You may have had these annoying bumps on your arms or even legs sporadically for years and didn’t know why—it could be keratosis pilaris.

How do you know if you have keratosis pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is a common, harmless condition marked by small bumps that feel dry and rough, similar to the feel of sandpaper or goosebumps. The appearance can be white, red, brown, or the same color as your skin. You can have a few bumps or many bumps together that resemble a rash, but the bumps usually don’t itch. They occur most often on your upper arms, but can appear anywhere on your skin, except the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet. Children may get the bumps on their faces, upper arms, and fronts of their thighs—while adults can get bumps on their upper arms and thighs, extending to their lower legs and forearms and buttocks.

Why do you get keratosis pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is caused by a buildup of keratin—a fibrous, protective protein found in epithelial cells (outer layer of skin), hair, and nails. Keratin can clog pores on your skin or hair follicles, occurring in small areas, multiple hair follicles, or larger rough, dry patches. You may be more likely to have keratosis pilaris if you have dry skin, have hay fever or asthma, are overweight, or have a close relative with it. For some people, it is caused by an inherited disorder where keratin builds up and forms horny plugs in the follicles of hair that protrude above the surface of the skin.

Keratosis pilaris can start in childhood, get worse during adolescence or pregnancy, and either improve with age or continue during adult years. Symptoms may worsen in the winter due to increased skin dryness and friction from wearing thicker clothing. Often, symptoms clear in the summer and return in the winter, but symptoms may occur year-round if you live in a dry climate or swim in a pool frequently.

What are some self-care measures to treat keratosis pilaris at home?

Currently, there is no cure for keratosis pilaris, but treatments can help ease symptoms: Use mild, hypoallergenic soaps, refrain from scratching the affected areas, and stay away from hot showers or baths to prevent dryness. Moisturize your skin with topical keratolytic lotions or creams with urea, alpha hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, or lactic acid—topicals that exfoliate dead skin cells.

Because most of these creams contain acid that can that can irritate the skin and cause redness, they are not recommended for children. Ask your health care provider how often to apply creams to avoid irritation. If lifestyle changes and moisturizers don’t work, topical retinoid medications—such as tretinoin, adapalene, or tazarotene creams—may decrease roughness, redness, and itching.

Should you schedule an appointment with a dermatologist?

Keratosis pilaris is harmless and doesn’t need to be treated unless it itches, becomes too dry, or if you have cosmetic concerns. Your health care provider may prescribe retinoids or topical anti-inflammatories, or suggest phototherapy or laser treatments.

If you think you may have keratosis pilaris and would like treatment by a dermatologist, check out the Walgreens website (https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/diagnosis) or app under "Find Care" for virtual dermatology options.

Published on March 31, 2020