How to Treat Keratosis Pilaris
Discovering small red bumps on your arms
can be quite alarming. Do you have chicken pox? Could it be acne? Is it a
rash? Luckily, dots that are typically found on the backs of your arms
(often known as 'chicken skin') are generally completely harmless.
This skin condition, known as keratosis
pilaris, is pretty common, and occurs frequently in women and young
children, and they often appear during puberty or pregnancy. The visible
bumps are caused by a keratin buildup, which is the tough protein that
protects your skin from infections and harmful substances.
Thanks to this buildup, a scaly plug gets
formed, which blocks the hair follicle's opening, causing patches of
bumpy skin to develop. Keratosis pilaris may be genetically transferred,
or it may actually be a side effect of a number of other skin
disorders, and in some cases may also show up on a person's buttocks or
legs.
So far, there doesn't seem to be an
effective cure for this condition, but there are quite a few ways to
manage it. First of all, never directly scrub or scratch the area, since
you'll only end up making these bumps a lot worse.
Janellen Smith, a dermatologist at UC
Irvine Health recommends that "when you come out of the shower, pat
yourself dry—don’t rub or scrub.” Moisturizing is essential, but you
should try to avoid fragrant soaps. Look out for specialty creams or
lotions that contain lactic acid, hydroxy acid, salicylic acid or urea
to help loosen and get rid of dead skin cells.
Creams that contain vitamin A (topical
retinoids) are also helpful, as they will promote cell turnover and
prevent hair follicles from getting clogged. If over-the-counter
remedies don't clear up the problem, you might want to consider paying a
visit to a dermatologist. If the condition is really getting you down,
then laser treatment might be a viable option, however, most cases of
keratosis pilaris are more of a cosmetic nuisance than an actual medical
concern.