Getting Help With My Face

Keratosis Pilaris: Keep This Harmless But Aggravating Skin Disease Under Control

16 April 2018

Holly Gardner

If tiny, red bumps appear on your back, chest, arms, or face, you might think you have an allergy or severe skin condition. Keratosis pilaris may be the cause of your skin condition. The condition is harmless but can make your skin itch or feel unbearably dry. Learn how to manage the symptoms of keratosis pilaris with the helpful information below.

How Does Keratosis Pilaris Develop in Your Skin?

Keratosis pilaris is a harmless skin condition that causes small, red bumps to appear on the surface of the skin. The bumps can look like rough patches of acne, or they can look similar to goosebumps. The bumps may also make your skin look as though someone plucked it with tweezers (chicken skin).

Keratosis pilaris develops when dead skin cells and protein (keratin) build up inside your skin's pores and harden. The hardened substances form plugs around the hair follicles inside your pores. Instead of growing out of your pores, the hair grows beneath your skin.

Although most cases of keratosis pilaris are benign (harmless), some people may experience problems if the bumps become infected or inflamed. The infected bumps might itch or feel dry in some adults. The color of the bumps may also vary. Some bumps may look red or purple, or the bumps may appear flesh-colored or pink.

The bumps on your skin can become worse during dry or cold conditions. You can also aggravate the bumps if you bathe or shower in very hot water or use cleansers that remove the oil from your skin. Scratching or popping the itchy bumps can create small scars in your skin, which may or may not go away with time.

To treat keratosis pilaris properly, you'll need to take better care of your skin.

How Can You Treat Keratosis Pilaris?

If your bumps are infected and itchy, try using plain oatmeal to relieve your symptoms. Some adults find relief from their bumps by applying oatmeal directly to their bumps. Oatmeal soothes and exfoliates the surface of the skin so that it heals. 

To make and use an oatmeal scrub or paste:

• Mix 2 or 3 tablespoons of plain oatmeal with at least 3 tablespoons of plain water. The mixture should be easy to spread or smooth onto your skin.
• Apply the mixture to your bumps, then gently massage it into your skin with your fingertips.
• Allow the mixture to rest on your skin for several minutes or so. However, you can leave the oatmeal on your skin for as long as you wish.
• Rinse your skin in very warm water. Apply a moisturizing lotion directly to your damp skin.
• Use a soft or fluffy towel to remove any excess lotion and water from your skin.

You can try the remedy above as often as needed to ease your symptoms. If your skin still breaks out in keratosis pilaris or becomes worse, see a dermatologist for care. 

A dermatologist (skin doctor) may prescribe medicated cream to clear out your clogged pores. The medication may contain special ingredients, such as retinol and vitamin C. The ingredients not only soothe your skin but also allow it to heal. 

If you have scars on your skin, a dermatologist may ask you to use scar-removing medications. These types of medications encourage the damaged cells in your skin to rebuild themselves. Some doctors use laser surgery to repair scarred or infected skin. The painless treatment removes dead cells from your pores and from the surface of your skin. Over time, your skin appears healthier and smoother.

You can learn additional facts about keratosis pilaris and how to treat it by contacting a medical facility that offers physician services. 

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