A teenager with sandpaper-like bumps on the outer arms.

KERATOSIS PILARIS

Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a very common condition in which the hair follicles become clogged and variably inflamed.

• Some reports have shown an association with being overweight, leg skin dryness, and allergies/atopic dermatitis.
  • Rough “sandpaper” most commonly on the outside of the upper arms is typical but KP may affect the cheeks, thighs, and/or back as well.
• Very common in young people.
• Entirely benign.

Treatment

See patient handout.

Additional Pictures

Keratosis Pilaris. The upper, outer arms is the most common location of keratosis pilaris. The skin is typically rough like “sandpaper”. The cheeks, thighs, and back may be affected as well. There may be significant perifollicular redness, as shown here.

Keratosis Pilaris. The cheeks of a child or teenager is a common location. OTC Differin may be beneficial for KP of the cheeks.

Keratosis Pilaris, here on the thighs.

OTC Retinoid

Differin gel, the only OTC retinoid. Differin attempts to unclog the pores and "normalize" the skin.

Moisturizers Alone

e.g. Vaseline, CeraVe, Eucerin cream.

Moisturizers with Exfoliants/Keratolytics

AmLactin KP Bumps Be Gone - Moisturizing Cream with 15% Lactic Acid

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream with Salicylic Acid, Exfoliating Body Cream with Lactic & Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, and Ceramides

GoldBond Rough and Bumpy skin containing Salicylic Acid and Lactic Acid

CeraVe Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream contains 2% salicylic acid to help relieve scaling, redness, and dry, flaky skin, lactic acid for gentle exfoliation, niacinamide to help calm skin, and three essential ceramides to help maintain the skin's barrier.

Eucerin® Roughness Relief products are enriched with Urea and emollients to smooth, moisturize, and exfoliate rough and bumpy skin.

Note: Neither Dr. White, nor RegionalDerm receive any funding from any product companies.

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