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Queratosis pilar - Overview

Definición:

Es una afección cutánea común en la cual una proteína de la piel, llamada queratina, forma tapones duros dentro de los folículos pilosos.

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

La queratosis pilar es inofensiva (benigna), no empeora con el tiempo y a menudo desaparece con la edad. Es más común en pacientes que tienen la piel muy seca o que tienen dermatitis atópica (eccema) y parece ser hereditaria.

En los casos leves, se encuentran protuberancias pequeñas similares a la "piel de gallina", en la parte posterior de los brazos. La textura de la piel se asemeja al papel de lija muy áspero.

Las protuberancias también pueden aparecer en los glúteos y en las caderas. Con menos frecuencia, las lesiones aparecen en la cara y se pueden confundir con el acné.

Las lesiones individuales consisten en pápulas pequeñas y de color piel que se forman dentro de los folículos pilosos. La afección generalmente empeora en invierno y, a menudo, mejora en el verano.

  • Reviewed last on: 12/11/2009
  • Michael Lehrer, MD, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network; Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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