Keratosis pilaris

Who's affected

Keratosis pilaris is very common,affecting up to one inthree people in the UK.

It can affect people of all ages, but it's particularly commonin:

children and adolescents
females
people with eczema or a condition called ichthyosis
people of Celtic origin

The conditiontypically startsduring childhood, although itcan sometimes occur in babies, and gets worse in adolescence, around puberty .

Keratosis pilaris sometimes improves after puberty, and may even disappear in adulthood, althoughmany adults still have theconditionin their 40s and 50s. It's uncommon in elderly people.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018

Articles for keratosis pilaris

Introduction

Keratosis pilaris is a common, harmless condition where the skin becomes rough and bumpy, as if covered in permanent goose pimples.

Wherekeratosis pilaris occurs

Keratosis pilaris most commonly affects the back of the upper arms, and sometimes the buttocks and the front of the thighs. Less often, theforearms and upper back may be affected. There are also rare

The patches of affected skin will be covered in tiny spiky bumps, which may be white, red or skin-coloured. This spotting looks like"chicken skin" or permanent goose pimples, and the skin feels rough,

Who's affected

Keratosis pilaris is very common,affecting up to one inthree people in the UK. It can affect people of all ages, but it's particularly commonin: children and adolescents females people with eczem

What causeskeratosis pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris runs in families andis inherited from your parents. If one parent has the condition, there's a one in two chance that any children they have will also inherit it. Keratosis pilaris

Treating keratosis pilaris

There's little that can be done to treat keratosis pilaris, andit often gets betteron its own without treatment. However, if it's bothering you, the followingmeasures may help improve your rash: u

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