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Check if you have keratosis pilaris. Symptoms of keratosis pilaris may include: Dry rough skin. Small, painless bumps on your skin. Patches of bumps that are the same colour as your skin. You usually get patches of small bumps on your arms, thighs or bottom, but they can appear in other places. The bumps are usually the colour of your skin.
Goosebumps. Goose bumps, goosebumps or goose-pimples[1] (also called chill bumps[citation needed]) are the bumps on a person's skin at the base of body hairs which may involuntarily develop when a person is tickled, cold or experiencing strong emotions such as fear, euphoria or sexual arousal. [2][3] The formation of goose bumps in humans under ...
Apr 25, 2023 · Keratosis pilaris is a very common skin disorder that affects people of all ages. It is a benign condition characterized by numerous small, rough, red, or tan bumps primarily around hair follicles on the upper arms, legs, buttocks, and sometimes cheeks. Keratosis pilaris creates a "goose bumps," "gooseflesh," or "chicken skin" appearance.
- Overview
- Symptoms and Causes
- Diagnosis and Tests
- Management and Treatment
- Prevention
- Living With
- Additional Common Questions
Keratosis pilaris is a common condition where small bumps develop on your skin, especially your arms, legs or butt. Excess keratin in your skin causes bumps to form. This condition is harmless and typically doesn’t need treatment, and usually fades by age 30. Treating dry skin with a gentle skin care routine can help.
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OverviewSymptoms and CausesDiagnosis and TestsManagement and TreatmentPreventionLiving WithAdditional Common Questions
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What are the symptoms?
The main feature of keratosis pilaris that you’ll notice is patches of tiny, rough, discolored bumps on your skin that resemble the dotted skin of a strawberry. You may notice the appearance of the bumps but don’t have any other symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, they may include: Itchy or dry skin, especially on the backs of your upper arms, legs or buttocks (butt). Irritation of the bumps that causes them to become more discolored and noticeable. This is frictional lichenoid dermatitis. Rough, sandpaper-like skin where the bumps appear. Worsening of the bumps when the air is drier, like in the winter months. Other conditions can sometimes cause these symptoms, such as itchy, dry skin. Eczema, psoriasis, allergies and fungal infections cause similar symptoms. If you’re concerned about your symptoms, or if they linger, it’s a good idea to contact your healthcare provider. Advertisement
What causes keratosis pilaris?
The bumps you see when you have keratosis pilaris are actually collections of the protein keratin. These bumps are sometimes mistaken for clusters of small pimples. Keratosis pilaris bumps happen when keratin clogs (blocks) your pores instead of flaking off. Your pores are openings in your skin where hairs come through your skin (hair follicles). Healthcare providers don’t know why keratosis pilaris affects some people and not others. There could be a genetic factor, meaning your genes could affect your chances of developing this condition. If you have a skin condition like eczema, you’re more likely to get keratosis pilaris. Eczema is a common chronic skin condition that causes your skin to have discolored, itchy patches that come and go over time.
Is keratosis pilaris contagious?
Keratosis pilaris isn’t contagious. Out of the many types of skin bumps and growths you may develop, keratosis pilaris is a harmless one.
How is keratosis pilaris diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will typically diagnose keratosis pilaris with a simple physical examination of your skin where you have bumps. Keratosis pilaris is easy to recognize, so medical testing isn’t usually necessary. The location and characteristics of the bumps can help you identify whether you have keratosis pilaris. But if your healthcare provider isn’t sure, they may conduct an allergy test or a biopsy.
Do I need to see a specialist to diagnose keratosis pilaris?
In most cases, your family doctor can diagnose keratosis pilaris. Some people may see a dermatologist to treat their keratosis pilaris.
How do you get rid of keratosis pilaris?
Keratosis pilaris isn’t harmful, so you usually don’t need to treat it. For some people, the bumps go away on their own or become less noticeable by about age 30. You may also notice that the bumps go away in the summer and only become noticeable in the winter. If the bumps bother you, treatment with moisturizers, creams and gentle skin care may help your symptoms. Treatments your healthcare provider may recommend can include:
How long does it take to get rid of keratosis pilaris?
Even with treatment, it may take time for keratosis pilaris bumps to go away. If you follow your treatment plan, you should start seeing improvement within four to six weeks. Even without treatment, most cases of keratosis pilaris start to clear around your mid-20s, and usually completely disappears by age 30. Care at Cleveland Clinic Get Dermatology Care Make an Appointment
How can I prevent keratosis pilaris?
You can’t prevent keratosis pilaris. But avoiding dry skin by maintaining a gentle skin care routine can help minimize the appearance of keratosis pilaris.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
If you don’t start seeing improvement four to six weeks after starting a treatment plan, or if your keratosis pilaris affects your self-esteem, reach out to your healthcare provider.
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?
How can you tell that I have keratosis pilaris? If I don’t have keratosis pilaris, what other skin condition might I have? What home remedies or over-the-counter treatments do you recommend? Is there a cream or ointment that you can prescribe? Do I need more serious treatment?
Can gluten intolerance cause keratosis pilaris?
One of the symptoms of gluten intolerance is a skin rash that looks similar to keratosis pilaris. No research indicates that gluten intolerance causes keratosis pilaris, though. A note from Cleveland Clinic Keratosis pilaris is often a temporary skin condition that goes away over time. It usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. But if you experience any discomfort like itchy or dry skin, or if it affects your mental health (self-esteem), reach out to your healthcare provider. There are ways to treat keratosis pilaris. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best ways to care for your skin. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/15/2022. Learn more about our editorial process.
Jun 29, 2022 · Horripilation is the medical term for goose bumps or goose pimples. Feeling cold and experiencing emotions like excitement and fear are common causes. Horripilation is an involuntary reaction ...
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Jan 23, 2024 · Skin exfoliation is a mainstay of treatment for keratosis pilaris. Exfoliation refers to removing dead skin cells from the skin's surface. Exfoliation may be done physically or chemically; both methods smooth the skin surface and flatten the bumps. Exfoliants do not relieve the redness or itching that may be associated with keratosis pilaris.
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Nov 22, 2023 · Takeaway. Keratosis pilaris, sometimes called “chicken skin,” is a common skin condition that causes patches of rough bumps to appear on the skin. These tiny bumps or pimples are dead skin ...
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