Keratosis Pilaris

Bumpy skin on your upper arms? The most common reason is keratosis pilaris.

Keratosis pilaris, often referred to as KP, is a skin condition that appears as rough patches or small acne-like bumps. The bumps and patches tend to be painless and although not serious, they can appear red and inflamed and even cause itchiness.
Keratosis pilaris is generally found on the upper arms, thighs or buttocks. It can also appear on the face where it resembles acne. While common in children, it can occur at any age. It’s often referred to as chicken skin because of the small rough bumps it presents with. There are several different types of KP including keratosis pilaris rubra (red, inflamed bumps), alba (rough, bumpy skin with no irritation) and rubra faciei (reddish rash on the cheeks).

What Causes Keratosis Pilaris?

KP occurs when the human body produces excess keratin, a natural and hard protein designed to protect the skin from harmful substances and infection. The excess keratin forms a scaly plug that surrounds and traps hair follicles in the pore. This results in the formation of many plugs (often referred to as hyperkeratinization) giving rise to patches of rough, bumpy skin that look like sandpaper or chicken skin.

Why keratin builds up is unknown. It may occur in association with genetic diseases or with other skin conditions, such as ichthyosis vulgaris or atopic dermatitis. And, healthy individuals are also susceptible. Dry skin tends to worsen keratosis pilaris as it  tends to be more severe in the winter or when the humidity is low. It will often resolve on its own without treatment.

Keratosis Pilaris Treatment.

While there is no cure for Keratosis pilaris, several treatment options are available. One option is to use a loofa to remove the dead, dry skin sitting on the skin’s surface. Another option is to use creams or lotions that can exfoliate skin to help loosen the plug. Effective treatments include ingredients such as:
Alpha hydroxy acids which include mandelic acid, glycolic acid and lactic acid to help reduce roughness and soften keratin plugs. Consider products with ingredients such as urea, to moisturise and soften dry, rough skin. Urea can also help to loosen and remove dead skin cells. Consider products like La Roche Posay Iso Urea. Eucerin Intensive Urea Treatment cream available at your Pharmacy or La Roche-Posay Iso-Urea Body Milk.
 Exfoliate the area in the shower, use exfoliating mitts, include a wash with salicylic acid or use salicylic acid pads.

You need to be regular with the treatment to see results.

Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis Pilaris (“KP”), or chicken skin  on the arms as it is commonly known, occurring in one in three adults, and over half of all adolescents. Affected skin is rough and has the appearance of permanent goose bumps. In more than half of the cases it is genetic (inherited), but otherwise the cause is not fully understood.

KP occurs when small plugs of dead skin cells (keratin) block the hair follicles, causing an unsightly, rough, spotty appearance. In-growing hairs may  also occur in the hair follicle.KP is common on the upper outer arms and thighs but can also affect the face, buttocks, hands or, infact, any part of the body where there are hair follicles. 



Occasionally the skin can be itchy, but the condition itself is quite harmless. It tends to be worse in the winter months.

Treatment is often sought for cosmetic reasons. Avoid heavy creams (which can reduce the skin’s natural exfoliating cycle). Encouraging exfoliation (for example  geently using wet  exfoliating gloves on the body, or a grainy  exfoliator) will improve KP on the body. In the specific case of the eyebrows being affected, loss of hair can occur and sun protection is  important.

Take fish oils as there is a believe that KP is due to a lack of essential fatty acids.

Keratosis Pilaris

Also known as follicular keratosis, this is a hereditary skin disorder that causes goosebump-like lesions on the back of the arms, thighs or buttocks. The patches of bumps tend to get dry and itchy, particularly during the winter months. Keratosis pilaris occurs at any age. Because it is hereditary, there is no method of prevention. In some cases, it goes away on its own over time; in other cases, the condition is chronic. Keratosis pilaris is not harmful,  it can be very difficult to treat. Include fish oils in your diet.

Keratosis pilaris is caused by a build-up of keratin, a protein in the skin that protects it from infection. Keratin plugs up hair follicles causing the rough, bumpy rash.

Treatment options include prescriptions for:

1. Medicated creams or lotions with 12 % ammonium lactate that softens the affected skin.This product specially formulates 12% lactic acid neutralized with ammonium hydroxide, as ammonium lactate to provide a lotion pH of 4.5 - 5.5. It also contains light mineral oil, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, propylene glycol, polyoxyl 40 stearate, glycerin, magnesium aluminum silicate, laureth-4, cetyl alcohol, methyl and propyl parabens, methylcellulose, fragrance and water.Sun exposure (natural or artificial sunlight) to areas of the skin treated with ammonium lactate lotion, 12% should be minimised or avoided. Talk to your GP or Dermatologist.
2. Moisturisers (urea) that help loosen and remove dead skin cells.
3. Topical corticosteroids for short-term, temporary relief of symptoms.
4. Topical retinoids that increase cell turnover, which reduces the plugging of hair follicles.
5. Dry body brushing to increase cell turnover.

To help alleviate symptoms, be sure to keep the affected area moistened at all times and avoid harsh drying soaps.

Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis Pilaris (KP) is a common skin condition that mainly affects those who suffer with dry skin conditions like eczema. KP happens when keratin builds up within the hair follicle and creates a plug which leads to a small bump developing on the skin. This is what makes the skin look red and bumpy and feel rough.

There is no real trigger for KP but to limit the possibility of it developing it is important to keep your skin clean and hydrated by using soap-free body washes and lightweight moisturisers. If you have had KP before and want to prevent it coming back add a Salicylic Acid based body cleanser into your routine and use a gentle exfoliator once a week to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin.
One belief is that you might be lacking in your essential fatty acids – so include fish oils in your diet.