Keratosis pilaris: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

Definition of keratosis pilaris (chicken skin disease)

Keratosis pilaris (chicken skin disease) is a type of skin disease characterized by the appearance of small hard spots that make it look like chicken skin.

Keratosis pilaris is harmless and does not pass from person to person. This disease is a genetic (congenital) disease.

Even though there is no right way to prevent its presence, you don't need to worry about this disease. Because, there are various treatment options that can improve the appearance of the skin and relieve symptoms.

How common is keratosis pilaris (chicken skin disease)?

Keratosis pilaris is a very common skin disease. It is estimated that there are about 50% - 80% of adolescents and nearly 40% of adults who experience it.

Keratosis pilaris is a disease that can affect patients at any age, but is more common at a young age, especially in children. No need to worry because in many cases, keratosis pilarisg can disappear by itself at the age of 30 years.

In addition, the disease can worsen during pregnancy and after childbirth, or during puberty. This skin disease occurs most often in people with fair skin.

Please discuss with your doctor for more information.

Signs and symptoms of chicken skin disease

To make it easier to recognize, the signs and symptoms of keratosis pilaris or chicken skin disease are:

• the appearance of small lumps without pain,
• dry, rough skin over the areas with bumps,
• symptoms that tend to get worse in the dry season or when humidity is low,
• lumps feeling like sandpaper or creeps, and
  
• sometimes itchy.

Lumps appear in various colors ranging from skin color, white, reddish, purplish pink (on white skin), and brownish black (on dark skin).

These small bumps can appear anywhere on the skin, but they most commonly appear on the upper arms, thighs, cheeks, or buttocks. Usually the symptoms of chicken skin disease do not appear on the palms of the hands and feet.

Usually, various symptoms slowly disappear when the child ends puberty. When it appears in adolescence, this condition will disappear in the mid-20s. However, this condition could have continued for longer.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor for chicken skin disease?

You should call your doctor if there are some significant changes in the skin that appear without knowing the cause.

Generally, doctors can make a diagnosis by examining the appearance of the skin and the scaly lumps that appear.

Causes and risk factors for keratosis pilaris

What causes keratosis pilaris (chicken skin disease)?

The main cause of keratosis pilaris is keratin overgrowth. Keratin is a hard protein whose job is to protect the skin from harmful substances and infections.

When the build-up occurs, clots will form that block the opening of hair follicles or pores. This buildup then makes the skin surface uneven due to the appearance of small dry and rough bumps.

Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, it is not certain why keratin can build up. Genetic diseases or other skin conditions such as eczema are other possible causes of keratosis pilaris.

What are the factors that increase the risk of this condition?

Because it is a genetic disease, you have a higher risk if you have a family who has had keratosis pilaris. In addition, factors that also influence are:

• have asthma,
• have dry skin,
• have atopic dermatitis (eczema),
• obesity, and
  
• have ichthyosis vulgaris, a condition that causes the skin to become very dry.

Having no risk factors does not mean that you are definitely free from this one skin problem. Consult a doctor to find out whether you are at risk of developing chicken skin disease or not.

Diagnosis and treatment

What tests are done to diagnose keratosis pilaris (chicken skin disease)?

By looking at your skin condition, your doctor can diagnose this skin problem. Keratosis pilaris is a disease that does not need to be examined through a procedure other than by looking at it.

How to treat this condition?

It should be noted in advance that keratosis pilaris cannot be cured because the exact cause itself has not been found.

In some cases, this condition can resolve on its own, but the process can take months.

Despite these facts, treatment is still needed to control the symptoms. The following are skin care options that doctors usually recommend.

Moisturizer

Moisturizer is one of the highly recommended products to relieve itching and dryness of the skin. Moisturizing creams specifically prescribed to treat keratosis pilaris usually contain urea and lactic acid.

Use a moisturizer right after showering while your skin is still half dry. Don't forget to also apply it at least 2-3 times a day.

Cream to remove dead skin cells

Creams used to remove dead skin cells usually contain active ingredients such as:

• alpha hydroxy acid (AHA),
• lactic acid,
• salicylic acid,
• glycolic acid (glycolic acid), and
• urea.

These various active ingredients are useful for removing dead skin cells, moisturizing, and softening dry skin. For best results, use this cream according to the directions given.

Cream to prevent clogging of the follicles

The cream used to prevent clogged follicles is made of vitamin A. Vitamin A helps the skin cell turnover process and prevents hair follicles from clogging.

However, you can experience irritation and dryness of the skin when using this type of cream. This cream is not recommended for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be careful what ingredients are in these creams. Discuss this with your doctor. Some creams for keratosis pilaris are medicines that have negative side effects including:

• reddish skin,
• skin irritation, and
• skin becomes dry.

Laser

Apart from creams, lasers are an option that can help treat keratosis pilaris or chicken skin disease. Laser is a solution that will be given if the treatment with creams and lotions does not work.

Usually doctors will use a different type of laser. There are lasers used to reduce swelling and redness, others to improve skin texture and discoloration.

For maximum results, microdermabrasion is a procedure that doctors recommend doing in between laser keratosis pilaris treatments.

Home remedies

Here are some lifestyle changes and other treatments you can do at home to control this condition.

Take a warm shower

A short, warm bath can help clog and stretch pores. Scrub your skin with a foot brush to remove the bumps.

However, it is important to limit your time in the shower, as taking too long showering strips away natural oils, which can dry out your skin even more.

Apply a moisturizing cream

Apply a cream containing lanolin, petroleum jelly or glycerin on the skin after you shower. These are ingredients that can soothe dry skin caused by keratosis pilaris and help retain moisture.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation every day is a method that can help improve the appearance of the skin affected by keratosis pilaris. You can remove dead skin cells that block these pores with a pumice stone or a product forscrubbing.

Avoid tight clothes

Wearing tight clothing is something that can cause friction which can irritate the skin, leading to keratosis pilaris.

Humidifier

A humidifier is a device that adds moisture to the air in the room, which can keep the skin moisturised and prevent the itching that causes keratosis pilaris.

If you have any questions, consult a dermatologist or dermatologist for the best solution to your problem.