Keratosis Pilaris Information - Symptoms and Treatment

Keratosis pilaris is a general small red bumps (sometimes with white in them) that are raised on the skin like goose bumps. They are simliar in looking with pimples but they are not pimples. This is a common mistake among sufferers. Keratosis pilaris are a very common finding on the outer aspect of the upper arms. Keratosis pilaris is quite harmless and does not cause any symptoms. There are numerous rough follicular spots, which may be skin coloured, red or brown. is hereditary, inherited as an autosomal dominant gene. This is similar to the brown vs. blue eye color phenomenon. All it takes is a single gene from either parent to find oneself with less than perfectly smooth skin. But not everyone can point a finger at who's to blame since only 30 to 50 percent of KP patients have a positive family history.

What are the causes of Keratosis Pilaris ?

Keratosis pilaris is genetic in origin but the precise cause has not yet been determined. Keratosis Pilaris is a hereditary disorder, so it is passed down from relatives like parents or grandparents. and there are full chances to go on in your children or grand childeren's. It may not appear in any of them, or it could appear in all of them. This disorder is very strange in who it chooses to affect. It is thought to be a disorder of keratinisation in which the sticky cells that line the hair follicle form a horny plug instead of exfoliating. This widens the pores making them appear more obvious than elsewhere.

Treatment of Keratosis Pilaris

Treatment of Keratosis Pilaris includes:

• Non-soap cleansers (soap may exacerbate the dryness)
• Moisturising cream applied twice daily; try those containing urea , salicylic acid or alphahydroxy acids
• Rubbing with a pumice stone or a ‘Buf-Puf' in the shower or bath
• Topical retinoids , which are gels or creams available on prescription. For the first few weeks of treatment, redness and peeling of the treated areas can be expected. Topical retinoids are not suitable for young children and must not be used in pregnancy.
• Pulse dye laser treatment : this may reduce the redness (at least temporarily), but not the roughness.
• Laser assisted hair removal may also be of benefit in some cases.

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