Keratosis pilaris is a rough and bumpy texture of the skin that can occur on the upper arms, thighs, and cheeks. It is characterized by flesh-colored to slightly red, rough, distinct bumps. Keratosis pilaris can be itchy, but most often patients are bothered by its cosmetic appearance.
It is characterized as a disorder follicular keratinization where dead skin cells form around a hair follicle. The skin often feels rough, dry and sandpaper like. Keratosis pilaris is usually worse during the winter months and is most commonly seen in children and young adults.
Keratosis pilaris is a benign condition but sometimes is bothersome to patients. Moisturizers and exfoliating topicals including Urea and Retin-A may be beneficial in treatment. In order to be effective treatments need to be used consistently or keratosis pilaris recurs. Each treatment is unique to the individual patient and varies in effectiveness between patient skin types.
