Keratosis
pilaris is a common condition where the skin is rough and bumpy. It
looks as if the skin is covered in permanent goose pimples.
Keratosis
pilaris most commonly affects the back of the upper arms, and
sometimes the buttocks and the front of the thighs. Less often,
the forearms and upper back may be affected.
How
it affects the skin
The
patches of affected skin will be covered in tiny spiky bumps, which
may be white, red or skin-coloured. This spotting looks like "chicken
skin" and the skin feels rough, like sandpaper.
In
some people, the skin itches and there may be inflammation and
pinkness around the bumps. The skin tends to improve in summer and
get worse during winter months or dry conditions.
Who's
affected
Keratosis
pilaris is very common, affecting up to one in three
people. It can affect people of all ages but typically starts during
childhood, although it can sometimes occur in babies, and gets
worse in adolescence, around puberty.
Keratosis
pilaris sometimes improves after puberty, and may even disappear in
adulthood, although many adults still have the condition in
their 40s and 50s.
What
causes keratosis pilaris?
Keratosis
pilaris is hereditary and occurs when too much keratin builds up in
the skin's hair follicles. Keratin is a protein found in the
tough outer layer of skin, which causes the surface of the skin to
thicken, hence the name "keratosis".
The
excess keratin blocks the hair follicles with plugs of hard, rough
skin. The tiny plugs widen the pores, giving the skin a spotty
appearance. It's often associated with other dry skin conditions,
such as eczema.
Treating
keratosis pilaris
There's
little that can be done to treat keratosis pilaris, and it often
gets better on its own without treatment. However, if it's
bothering you, the following measures may help improve your
rash:
-
use cleansers rather than soap – ordinary soap may dry your skin out and make the condition worse
-
moisturise your skin when it's dry – creams containing salicylic acid, lactic acid or urea are thought to be the most effective
-
gently rub the skin with an exfoliating foam pad or pumice stone to exfoliate the rough skin – be careful not to scrub too hard and rub off layers of skin
-
take
lukewarm showers rather than hot baths
You
can also seek advice from a medical Skin specialist about treatments
available such as:
-
creams containing retinol, which is derived from vitamin A
-
chemical peels
-
microdermabrasion
For
more information contact the Claudia McGloin Clinic on 0719140728.
