If you ’ve ever experience those small , sometimes reddish bumps on your skin , you ’re not alone ; so - called “ chicken skin ” is so common it ’s often regard anormalvariant of human skin . In aesculapian condition , it ’s better acknowledge as keratosis pilaris ( KP ) – but what in reality is this , and can it be treat ?
What is keratosis pilaris?
KP is aharmlessskin precondition characterized by little , painless bumps on the skin , often found on the upper arm and thighs , but also the face and buttocks . These excrescence can sometimes be crimson or brownish black in show depending on skin tone and might be accompanied by dry , approximate - feel skin .
For some hoi polloi with this condition , it can get worse during the winter , whilst others might experience itchiness that can also worsen at this time .
There ’s not a rigid symptomatic trial for KP , but doctors are usually capable to diagnose it free-base on whether a person’sskinmatches up with the feature above .
The bumps can look more red in color on paler skin and more brown on deeper skin tones.Image credit: sruilk/Tai Ketlakorn/Shutterstock.com; modified by IFLScience
How common is it?
If you ’ve never had it yourself , chances are you know someone who has had it or still does . KP is thought toaffectanywhere from 50 to 70 per centum of teenagers – it often first appears during early childhood or as a adolescent – and around 40 per centum of adult .
What causes it?
There ’s a clue as to what make KP in its name . “ Keratosis ” refers to when an excessiveness of the protein keratin in the outmost stratum of the skin causes “ horny growths ” – in the case of KP , humble bump .
The buildup of keratin – which supply structural reinforcement to the cutis – in KP fall out in the hair follicle , hence “ pilaris ” stems from the Romance terminal figure for hair’s-breadth , “ pilus ” .
Under normal circumstance , keratin is sloughed off , but what on the button head rather to the accumulation of keratin is ill-defined .
KP is not contractable , so you ca n’t enamour it from other hoi polloi . There are someknown factorsthat can increase someone ’s risk of train KP :
The fact that KP often runs in families bespeak to scientists that there could be a genetic source to the precondition . A good place to start is by look at the genetics of weather condition often associated with KP and this has primarily focus onichthyosis vulgaris – which manifest as exceedingly dry , scaly pelt – and atopic eczema .
Thisled scientiststo mutation in the gene ( FLG)encoding filaggrin . This is a protein that , undernormal setting , binds to fiber of ceratin and helps to keep up the skin ’s roadblock . change toFLGhave been associated with KP , though the pathway by which these mutations lead to keratin buildup are not yet established .
Though a positively charged step , the search for a grounds is far from over , and not just limited toFLG . Some scientists suggest thatFLGmutations ca n’t answer for for all of the discernible traits of KP , nor for the differences in those trait seen between hoi polloi . In financial backing of that , a smallstudyof 20 people with KP found that only 35 percent hadFLGmutations , although they mark this is higher than the average European carrier frequency of 4 to 9 percent .
Are there treatments for keratosis pilaris?
KP does n’t have a curative , but for many citizenry , it clears up during adulthood . As mentioned , it ’s also a harmless condition , so it does n’t need to be cover unless someone wishes it to be . In such cases , some things can aid to reduce the dryness or change the appearance of the gibbosity – though it should be noted thatnone are insure to do so quick .
Whichtreatmentis used depends on what lineament of KP is being place , and speaking to a dermatologist can assist you determine which option is best for you .
For relieve any dryness or itching , it ’s urge to regularly apply moisturizers , specially those containing urea or lactic pane , and to do so after getting out of the bath or shower .
When it comes to reducing the visual aspect of its characteristic bumps , the main approach shot is scurf . This can be either mechanical , such as with a loofah , or with a chemical exfoliant like glycolic or salicylic loony toons . Topical retinoids , some of which can be prescribed by a doctor , may also help ease symptom . When using topical retinoids or exfoliating acids , it ’s always a adept idea to hold out sunscreen during the mean solar day .
Topical steroid can sometimes be dictate if red is a vexation , though a 2021reviewfound that discourse with steroid hormone , such as hydrocortisone and prednisone , had only special potential drop . Other avenues to regale discolouration , or the bumps where other intervention have fail , can include using optical maser therapy .
Regardless of the treatment avenue , it ’s crucial to keep an eye on how the skin reacts ; peel can get irritated with some of these approach , so it ’s ripe stick to the advice doctors provide about how much and when to use handling , and stop over if pique occurs .
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The depicted object of this article is not intend to be a substitute for professional medical advice , diagnosis , or intervention . Always seek the advice of dependent health provider with question you may have regarding medical conditions .
