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Keratosis pilaris

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Treatment:

Moisturizing lotions are often soothing and may help the appearance of the skin. Topical treatment with medications containing urea, lactic acid, Retin A (tretinoin), or vitamin D may be recommended by your physician. However, improvement often takes months and recurrence is likely.

Expectations (prognosis):

Keratosis pilaris may fade slowly with age.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider (or discuss the condition during a routine visit) if you suspect that you have keratosis pilaris and the condition does not respond to use of over-the-counter moisturizing lotions.

• 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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