What is keratosis pilaris (KP)?

Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a very common skin disorder that affects many people of all ages. KP is a benign condition that presents in many small, rough, red, or tan bumps primarily around hair follicles on the upper arms, legs, buttocks, and sometimes cheeks. KP creates a "goose bumps," "gooseflesh," or "chicken skin" appearance on the skin. Most people with KP may be unaware that the skin condition has a designated medical term or that it is treatable. In general, KP is often cosmetically like but medically completely harmless. KP is common in healthy individuals.

Keratosis pilaris facts

Keratosis pilaris is a very common, benign skin disorder.

Keratosis pilaris affects 50% of adolescents and 40% of adults.

Keratosis pilaris causes numerous small, rough little tan or red bumps around hair follicles on the upper arms, thighs, buttocks, and cheeks.

Keratosis pilaris creates the appearance of gooseflesh, goose bumps, or skin of the chicken.

Keratosis pilaris is used in patients with other diseases, and dry skin, atopic dermatitis.

Keratosis pilaris is not curable, but can become less visible over time.

Keratosis pilaris tends to run in families (genetic link).

Keratosis pilaris can spontaneously clear without treatment.

Keratosis pilaris usually requires continuous maintenance therapy.

Treat keratosis pilaris with daily spreads, gentle exfoliation, glycolic or lactic acid and.

Consider options for travelers keratosis pilaris as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and facials.

Who gets keratosis pilaris?

Anyone can get KP. While this is often a skin condition of children and adolescents, it is also used in many adults. KP is estimated to affect between 50% of all adolescents and approximately 40% of adults. Women may be affected more often than men. Age of onset is often within the first 10 years of life and may increase during puberty. However, the KP can start at any age. A large percentage of patients have other people in their family with the same condition. It has been widely observed twin. KP is also seen in atopic dermatitis, and in patients with a very dry skin.

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What are the causes of keratosis pilaris?

The exact cause is not known KP. It appears that the problem of overproduction of the keratin of the skin, referred to as hyperkeratinization. It is believed that this is partly KP inherited (genetic) origin. About 50% -70% of patients with KP have known genetic predisposition and high speed affected family members. Many people have a long history of family or KP "chicken skin." Substrate may be partially associated with hypersensitivity reactions and overall dryness of the skin. KP is also closely associated with ichthyosis, dry skin, allergies, seasonal allergies, rhinitis, asthma, eczema, and atopic dermatitis.

KP inequality appears to stem from the excessive accumulation of keratin (a very small, dry particles of skin) at the opening of each hair. Skin and examined under a microscope shows mild thickening, hyperkeratosis, and clogging of hair follicles. The upper layer of the skin may be an extension of superficial small blood vessels, giving the skin a red or red appearance.

How is keratosis pilaris diagnosed?

The diagnosis of CP is very simple and is based on the typical appearance of the skin in areas such as the shoulders. KP family is very helpful, because there is a strong genetic component to the condition. The diagnosis is confirmed by a clinical physician.

What else could it be?

Other diseases can mimic KP. KP may resemble acne, milia, folliculitis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, rosacea face, and dry skin (dry skin). KP can also remind uncommon skin diseases, such as lupus spinulosus, pityriasis rubra pilaris, phrynoderma (vitamin A), ophryogenes ulerythema, ichthyosis, explosive vellus hair cysts, keratosis follicularis (Darier's disease), Kyrle disease nitidus union, union spinulosus , perforating folliculitis, and trichostasis spinulosa.

In India and other countries, a specific condition called erythromelanosis faciei follicularis et colli occurs. This unusual condition is related to a possible genetic KP. Erythromelanosis faciei follicularis et colli characterized by the triad of hyperpigmentation (darker skin color), follicular plugging (blocked hair follicles), and redness of the face and neck.

Are there any laboratory tests that can help diagnose keratosis pilaris?

Since the appearance of the sun if pilaris is easily recognizable, specific laboratory tests are not helpful in the diagnosis. Skin biopsy (taking a piece of skin surgically with local numbing medicine) may be useful for common or unusual.

What keratosis pilaris look like under a microscope?

Microscopic examination of tissue by a pathologist or dermatopathologist under high magnification and histopathology called pathology. Histopathology of KP shows mild epidermal hyperkeratosis (thickening of the outer layer of skin), hypergranulosis (increase in special epidermal granular cells), and connecting the individual hair follicles. The upper dermis (layer of skin beneath the epidermis) can a microscopic superficial inflammation called mild perivascular lymphocytic inflammation.

Expert:Medisuv