Keratosis pilaris

Acne
Classification and external resources
Specialty Dermatology
ICD-9-CM 757.39
OMIM 604093
DiseasesDB 32387
MedlinePlus 001462
eMedicine ped/1246 derm/211

Keratosis pilaris (KP) (also follicular keratosis, lichen pilaris, or colloquially "chicken skin") is a common, autosomal dominant, genetic condition of the skin's hair follicles characterized by the appearance of rough, slightly red bumps on light skin and brown bumps on darker skin.[1] It most often appears on the back, outer sides of the upper arm (though the forearm can also be affected), face, thighs, and buttocks;[1] KP can also occur on the hands, and tops of legs, sides, or any body part except glabrous skin (like the palms or soles of feet).[2] Often the lesions will appear on the face, which may be mistaken for acne.[3]

Signs and symptoms

Keratosis pilaris results in small bumps on the skin that feel like rough sandpaper. They are skin-colored bumps the size of a grain of sand, many of which are surrounded by a slight pink color in light skinned people and dark spots in dark skinned people.[3] Most people with keratosis pilaris do not have symptoms but the bumps in the skin can occasionally be itchy.[4]

Though people with keratosis pilaris experience the condition year-round, the problem can become exacerbated and the bumps are likely to look and feel more pronounced in color and texture during the colder months when moisture levels in the air are lower.[5] The symptoms may also worsen during pregnancy or after childbirth.[6]

Pathophysiology

Keratosis pilaris occurs when the human body produces excess amounts of the skin protein keratin, resulting in the formation of small, raised bumps in the skin often with surrounding redness.[4] The excess keratin, which is the color of the person's natural skin tone, surrounds and entraps the hair follicles in the pore. This causes the formation of hard plugs (process known as hyperkeratinization).[3] Many KP bumps contain an ingrown hair that has coiled.[1] This is a result of the keratinized skin's "capping off" the hair follicle, preventing the hair from exiting. The hair grows encapsulated inside the follicle.

Diagnosis

Physicians can often diagnose keratosis pilaris simply by examining the skin; tests are usually not needed.[3] However, a dermatologist can use dermoscopy to confirm the diagnosis and assess if a person with KP is responding to treatment.[1] Physicians will often consider family history and the presence of symptoms when making the diagnosis.[7] Those with this condition are generally encouraged to contact a physician if the bumps are bothersome and do not improve with over the counter lotions.[3]

Classification

There are several different types of keratosis pilaris, including keratosis pilaris rubra (red, inflamed bumps which can be on arms, head, legs),[4] keratosis pilaris alba (rough, bumpy skin with no irritation),[4] keratosis pilaris rubra faceii (reddish rash on the cheeks), and related disorders. Keratosis pilaris is commonly described in association with other dry skin conditions, such as ichthyosis vulgaris, xerosis and atopic dermatitis, including those of asthma and allergies.[8]

Keratosis pilaris does not bear any known, long-term health implications, nor is it associated with increased mortality or morbidity.[8] It is not related to goose bumps, which results from muscle contractions, except that both occur in the area where the hair shaft exits the skin.

Treatment

Keratosis pilaris is medically harmless,[1] but many individuals may seek treatment as the condition can cause emotional distress.[6] Topical creams and lotions are currently the most commonly used treatment for keratosis pilaris, specifically those consisting of moisturizing or keratolytic treatments, including urea, lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, vitamin D, or topical retinoids such as tretinoin.[9] Corticosteroid creams can also be used as a treatment for KP.[9] Improvement of the skin often takes months and the bumps are likely to return. Limiting time in the shower and using gentle exfoliation to unplug pores can help.[6][10] Many products are available that apply exfoliation and alpha or beta hydroxy acids.

Some cases of keratosis pilaris have been successfully treated with laser therapy, which involves passing intense bursts of light into targeted areas of the skin. Depending on the body's response to the treatment, multiple sessions over the course of a few months may be necessary.

Epidemiology

Worldwide, KP affects an estimated 30-50% of the adult population and approximately 50-80% of all adolescents. It is more common in women than in men, and is often present in otherwise healthy individuals.[9] The skin condition is prevalent in persons of all ethnicities. No particular ethnicity is at higher risk for developing keratosis pilaris. Although keratosis pilaris may manifest in persons of any age, it usually appears within the first decade of life and is more common in young children.[8] In most cases, the condition gradually improves before age 30, however it can persist longer.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Panchaprateep R, Tanus A, Tosti A (March 2015). "Clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathologic features of body hair disorders". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 72: 890–900. PMID 25748313. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.01.024.
  2. ↑ Alai, Nili. "Keratosis Pilaris (KP)". MedicineNet. Retrieved 2008-10-06.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Berman, Kevin. "Keratosis pilaris". MedlinePlus. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Hwang S, Schwartz RA (September 2008). "Keratosis pilaris: a common follicular hyperkeratosis". Cutis. 82 (3): 177–80. PMID 18856156.
  5. ↑ "Keratosis pilaris ("chicken skin")". NHS Choices.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Keratosis pilaris: Self-management". Mayo Clinic.
  7. ↑ Mayo Clinic Staff. "Tests and Diagnosis". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2013-10-31
  8. 1 2 3 Alai, Nili; Arash Michael Saemi; Raul Del Rosario. "Keratosis Pilaris". eMedicine. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
  9. 1 2 3 Yosipovitch G, DeVore A, Dawn A (June 2007). "Obesity and the skin: skin physiology and skin manifestations of obesity". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 56 (6): 901–16. PMID 17504714. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2006.12.004.
  10. ↑ Mayo Clinic Staff (5 January 2016). "Self-management - Keratosis Pilaris". mayoclinic.org. Mayo Foundation. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
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