Keratosis pilaris is a common skin disorder in which a protective skin protein called keratin creates hard plugs inside hair follicles. This blockage leads to rough, bumpy patches on the upper arms, thighs, and buttocks that give keratosis pilaris its trademark "chicken skin" appearance. To determine whether you have keratosis pilaris, your doctor or nurse will usually just look at your skin. Further tests are not needed in most cases, as the condition is visually obvious and does not involve serious medical complications.
There are currently no laboratory or skin tests available to diagnose keratosis pilaris definitively or to differentiate it from similar skin issues. Instead, your family doctor or nurse will make a diagnosis based on an examination of your skin and a review of your medical history. He or she will also ask you questions about your symptoms and any other issues that may be related to a skin disorder.
If you see your doctor for a potential keratosis pilaris diagnosis, he or she will also attempt to rule out other medical conditions. He or she will likely ask you when you first noticed these symptoms, what seems to make them better or worse, and whether anyone in your family has experienced similar skin problems. Based on your answers to these questions, he or she may refer you to a dermatologist for more-specialized skin treatments if necessary.
No single treatment has been found to improve the symptoms of keratosis pilaris in all patients. Generally, however, treatment options focus on softening the keratin deposits in your skin to alleviate symptoms like redness, itching, and irritation. Protecting the skin from dryness and loss of moisture another primary focus of therapies for keratosis pilaris.
The treatments for keratosis pilaris usually involve rich, gentle moisturizing creams and oils. Topical exfoliants and retinoid creams are also common treatment methods to promote cell turnover and prevent keratin plugging. Some individuals have found laser therapy to be effective as well in improving the appearance of your skin. If you suffer from keratosis pilaris, it is important to continue with your medication and at-home treatments, since discontinuing treatment often causes the condition to return.
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