Do You Have Areas of ‘Chicken Skin’? You Might Have Keratosis Pilaris
Key takeaways:
Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a common skin condition that isn’t contagious or harmful.
There’s no cure or way to prevent KP.
KP can improve with the right skin care, moisturizers, and prescription topicals.
Table of contents
If you have keratosis pilaris (KP), you might see and feel rough, tiny bumps on your upper arms, thighs, or buttocks. KP isn’t harmful or contagious, but it can be bothersome. You can’t cure or prevent KP. But you can improve it with proper skin care, over-the-counter (OTC) moisturizers, and prescription topical treatments.
What is keratosis pilaris (KP)?
KP is so common that it’s considered a variation of normal skin. Most people say it looks like plucked chicken skin and feels like rough sandpaper. KP can be reddish or purple in lighter skin tones, darkly colored in darker skin tones, or it can blend in with the color of your skin.
The most common places you’ll find KP are your outer arms, thighs, and buttocks. But it can also affect other areas, like your face. Some people find it itchy or irritating. But it’s not dangerous or contagious.
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Photos of keratosis pilaris (chicken skin)
Here are some pictures of keratosis pilaris in real people, in case the description didn’t help.
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What causes keratosis pilaris?
The root cause of KP is the buildup of keratin in the hair follicles, due to dead skin cells. In some cases, the keratin plug looks like a pimple. Unlike actual acne pimples, these don’t contain skin surface bacteria.
The exact reason for the keratin buildup is unknown. But it might be related to changes in your skin’s barrier function. KP isn’t an autoimmune problem, infectious, or triggered by any particular food. It’s often linked to eczema. And it tends to get worse in the winter or in low humidity when your skin tends to dry out more easily. It has also been linked to larger body sizes.
Who gets keratosis pilaris?
KP is very common. It affects up to 80% of adolescents and 40% of adults. It runs in families and is associated with some genetic conditions. It’s more common in people with dry skin and eczema.
Some risk factors for KP include:
Having a family member with KP
Hay fever
Ichthyosis vulgaris, a condition characterized by very dry skin that looks like fish scales
How can I get rid of keratosis pilaris?
For most people, KP improves with age. There’s no way to completely prevent or cure it. Sun exposure can help, but too much sun increases your risk of getting skin cancer.
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The best thing to do for KP is gentle skin care. Beyond that, treatment options for KP include OTC topicals, prescriptions medications, and cosmetic procedures.
Home remedies
Here are some self-care tips to help minimize the appearance of KP. For best results, be consistent with your regimen.
Take just one short shower a day with warm water (not hot).
Use a gentle soap that contains ceramide (for example, Cetaphil Restoraderm and CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash).
Exfoliate gently with a loofah, buff puff, or washcloth. Avoid scrubbing.
Moisturize with a cream within 5 minutes of showering. Some good options are Aveeno, CeraVe, and Cetaphil Restoraderm
Reapply moisturizer two to three times a day.
Avoid popping, picking, or scratching the bumps.
Consider using a humidifier when the air is dry.
Keratolytics
These OTC products soften keratin and exfoliate dead skin cells. In KP, they help smooth and soften the skin. Examples include:
Ammonium lactate (Amlactin) lotion
Salicylic acid
Lactic acid
Glycolic acid
Retinoids
Retinoids are derived from Vitamin A. They help skin cell turnover and prevent them from plugging the hair follicles. Retinoids are available by prescription (adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene). They’re not safe to use if you’re pregnant.
Anti-inflammatory medications
If your KP is red or irritated, temporarily using a topical cortisone can help calm the inflammation and even the skin tone. Cortisones can thin the skin, so it’s best to use these only when necessary and for a short period (less than 2 weeks).
Chemical peels
A chemical peel is an in-office procedure where a specific acid is applied to exfoliate the skin. The removal of the dead skin cells helps smooth KP.
Lasers
Different lasers have been tried for KP. But none have been proven to work definitively.
Frequently asked questions
No, KP isn’t caused by a vitamin deficiency, so taking extra vitamins won’t help. Keep in mind that taking too many vitamins or supplements can be harmful, so it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare professional before starting any.
Certain foods won’t make KP better or worse. But it’s still a good idea to eat a well-rounded diet focused on whole foods with minimal sugar and processed foods. This will help give you, and your skin, as many nutrients as possible.
Picking or popping KP can cause discoloration or scarring, which could be permanent. It can also make the KP look more obvious, so it’s best to resist the urge.
The bottom line
Keratosis pilaris is a harmless skin condition. It doesn’t require treatment and may improve on its own over time. If you want to do something about it, there are different options that can help. But there’s no definitive cure.
Why trust our experts?
Images used with permission from VisualDx (www.visualdx.com)
References
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Keratosis pilaris: Signs and symptoms.
Gerbig, A. W. (2002). Treating keratosis pilaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Pennycook, K. B., et al. (2023). Keratosis pilaris. StatPearls.
Piccardi, N., et al. (2009). Nutrition and nutritional supplementation. Dermato-Endocrinology.
Uchida, Y., et al. (2021). Ceramides in skin health and disease: An update. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology.
