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Keratosis pilaris

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Definition:

Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition in which keratin, a protein in the skin, forms hard plugs within hair follicles.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Keratosis pilaris is benign , self-limiting, and often disappears with age. It is more common in patients with atopic dermatitis (eczema) and seems to run in families.

In mild cases, small bumps, similar in appearance to "goose bumps," are found on the backs of the upper arms. The texture is that of very coarse sandpaper.

Bumps may also appear on the buttocks and thighs. Less commonly, lesions appear on the face and may be mistaken for acne.

Individual lesions consist of a small, skin-colored papules that form within hair openings. The condition is generally worse in winter and often clears in the summer.

• Review Date: 5/3/2006
• Reviewed By: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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