Understanding Keratosis Pilaris and its Causes

There are countless skin conditions that affect people around the world. One of the most common of them is known as Keratosis Pilaris. While it can be frustrating as it is not ideal when it comes to the appearance of the skin, it is not harmful and does not have any symptoms that lead to pain.

There are many who suffer from it that wish to know what causes Keratosis Pilaris, but unfortunately, there is no known cause as of yet. It is known that the body is creating a surplus of keratin, which is a naturally occurring part of the skin that helps to protect it. When there is an overproduction of the keratin it leaves the skin feeling rough and can form bumps. There is some belief that it may involve genetics, but this has still not yet been confirmed. This can be distressing for those that suffer from it, especially if it is present on the face, but it is important to note that it is not something to be concerned about in regards to overall health.

The way to identify that it is in fact Keratosis Pilaris is through a skin exam. In most cases, it will be present on the face, upper arms, thighs and the buttocks. It is most noticeable as there will be patches of dry, rough skin that have bumps. Some refer to its appearance as looking like the flesh of geese. Those that have this condition often report that it gets worse during the drier months when there isn’t enough humidity in the air to keep the skin supple.

Unfortunately, there are no known cures or means of preventing this condition, but there are some things that you can do to improve the appearance of your skin. The main thing that helps is to keep your skin moisturized. This will reduce the dryness of the patches. It can also help to reduce the appearance of the small bumps that typically form. Some find that using a steroid cream is helpful as well, but there is no evidence that it does any more for the issue than a simple moisturizer.

Some find that using a cream that has the ability to remove dead skin can be helpful to improve the skin’s appearance as well. This can be a gentle exfoliator that helps to break up the extra skin that rests above the healthy skin. Another product that is found to be helpful is one that contains salicylic acid, which is commonly found in acne medication. When these are used on a daily basis it can greatly improve the appearance of the skin. However, it will not end the condition. If you stop using these products the condition will reappear just as it had before.

Fortunately, in most cases, this is only an issue for children. Almost all individuals see this clear up by the age of 30, but usually, it does much earlier than that. While many may find it concerning and wish to have their child be seen by a doctor it really isn’t necessary. It can be good though for some, as it can reassure them that it is not something to be concerned about.

Having Keratosis Pilaris, or seeing that your child does, can be upsetting as it often looks like it could be a serious condition, but in reality, it is nothing to be worried about. There is no risk that it will turn into a painful condition and typically will resolve itself as the child matures. All one can do is to treat the skin so that the appearance of it is reduced.