Symptoms

Keratosis pilaris can occur at any age, but it’s more common in young children. Symptoms include:

• Painless tiny bumps on the upper arms, thighs, cheeks, or buttocks
• Dry, rough skin in the areas with bumps
• Worsening when seasonal changes cause low humidity and dry skin
• Sandpaper-like bumps resembling goose flesh

Causes

Keratosis pilaris is caused by the buildup of keratin, a hard protein that protects skin from harmful substances and infection. The keratin blocks the opening of hair follicles, causing patches of rough, bumpy skin. It’s not clear why keratin builds up in people with keratosis pilaris. It might happen along with a genetic disease or skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis. Dry skin tends to make keratosis pilaris worse.

Risk Factors

Keratosis pilaris is very common and tends to run in families.

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will likely be able to diagnose keratosis pilaris just by looking at the affected skin. No testing is needed.

Treatment

Keratosis pilaris usually clears up on its own with time. In the meantime, you might use one of the many products available to help improve how the skin looks.

• Moisturizing Creams: A moisturizer like Metabase Cream that contains Urea, Panthenol, Ceramide, Dimethicone, Allantoin, or Marigold. These ingredients soothe dry skin and help trap moisture. Reapply the product to the affected skin several times a day.
• Creams to Remove Dead Skin Cells: Creams containing Urea or lactic acid like Metabase Cream help loosen and remove dead skin cells. They also moisturize and soften dry skin. These creams are called topical exfoliants. Your healthcare provider can advise you on the best option and how often to apply.
• Creams to Prevent Plugged Follicles: Creams derived from vitamin A are called topical retinoids. They work by promoting cell turnover and preventing plugged hair follicles.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Self-help measures may improve how the affected skin looks. When using a product new to you, test it on one area of affected skin first, such as an arm. If it seems to work and doesn’t cause a reaction, use it for your keratosis pilaris.

• Use Warm Water and Limit Bath Time: Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from the skin. Limit bath or shower time to about 10 minutes or less. Use warm, not hot, water.
• Be Gentle to the Skin: Avoid harsh, drying soaps. Gently remove dead skin with a washcloth or loofah. Vigorous scrubbing or removal of hair follicle plugs may irritate the skin and worsen the condition. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot the skin with a towel so that some moisture remains.
• Try Medicated Creams: Apply a nonprescription cream that contains Urea or lactic acid. These creams help loosen and remove dead skin cells. They also moisturize and soften dry skin.
• Moisturize: While the skin is still moist from bathing, apply a moisturizer like Metabase Cream that contains Urea, Panthenol, Ceramide, Dimethicone, Allantoin, or Marigold. These ingredients soothe dry skin and help trap moisture.
• Use a Humidifier: Low humidity dries out the skin. A portable home humidifier or one attached to your furnace will add moisture to the air inside your home.
• Avoid Friction from Tight Clothes: Protect affected skin from the friction caused by wearing tight clothes.