Keratosis Pilaris is a genetic condition commonly known as “chicken skin disease”. In this skin disease, patches of small bumps develop on a person’s skin that feels rough to the touch. These tiny bumps are actually dead skin cells that clog the hair follicles. They sometimes have a red or brown coloration.
This genetic condition is neither harmful nor contagious. The bumps usually don’t cause any pain, discomfort, or itching. But chicken skin worsens in winter because the skin dries out and loses its moisture. It also becomes irritable during pregnancy. To manage skin conditions book an appointment with the best skin specialist in Karachi, Lahore or any other main city of Pakistan via Marham.pk.
Signs and Symptoms:
Chicken skin commonly appears on upper arms, buttocks, thighs, or cheeks, though it can appear anywhere on the skin where hair follicles exist.
- The most prominent sign is the appearance of the skin with goosebumps which resembles the skin of a plucked chicken, hence the name.
- Slight pinkness or redness around the bumps.
- Dry skin
- Irritable or itchy skin.
- Skin feels like sand-paper due to the presence of rough bumps.
- Bumps can have color variation depending on skin tone, i.e., pink, red, white, brown, black, or flesh colored.
Causes Of Keratosis Pilaris:
It is caused due to the accumulation of keratin (a hair protein) in the pores. The pores get plugged and a tiny bump is formed in place of the hair.
The exact cause of keratin accumulation is not known but doctors think that it is linked with other skin complications like atopic dermatitis and genetic problems. To manage and treat genetic problems book an appointment with the best geneticist in Lahore, Karachi or any other main city of Pakistan via Marham.pk.
Chicken skin is most common in teenagers and adolescents. It normally clears up in mid-twenties and in most cases completely goes away by the age of 30. Hormonal changes during puberty and also during pregnancy also cause flare-ups. People with fair skin have higher chances of having chicken skin diseases than others.
Treatment:
Usually, keratosis pilaris is treatment-resistant and may take months to improve if there’s any chance of it at all. But some treatments can be helpful in alleviating your skin appearance.
Dermatological Treatment:
1. Dermatologically tested moisturizers that commonly have urea and lactic acid. These two ingredients help in removing dead cells and soften the skin.
Related: 10 Easy Skin Care Fixes for Men
2. Topical creams
3. Microdermabrasion
4. Chemical peels
5. Retinol based ointments
Home Remedies:
1. Take warm and short baths because longer baths remove natural oils from your skin.
2. Exfoliation removes dead cell layer and improves your skin texture.
3. Humidifiers provide the necessary amount of water to the skin to prevent itchy flare-ups.
4. Coconut oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Its use is beneficial for itchy dry skin.
5. Avoid wearing tight clothes as they increase friction and cause irritation and rashes.
