Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition that can affect children of any age. The following article will help you understand more about this condition.
Keratosis pilaris, also known as chicken skin, is a common benign skin condition that looks like small, white bumps. It is considerably harmless as it does not spread from one person to another. It is classified into three types:
keratosis pilaris rubra: Red, inflamed bumps which can be on arms, head, legs, etc.
keratosis pilaris alba: Rough, bumpy skin with no irritation
keratosis pilaris rubra faceii: Reddish rash on the cheeks
Causes
Keratosis pilaris in children is a hereditary skin disorder that may have been inherited from the father or mother. It occurs due to excess keratin (a protein that is responsible for thickening of the surface of the skin) buildup in the skin’s hair follicles. Therefore, the name keratosis. It is common in children, adolescents, women, and people with skin disorders such as eczema and ichthyosis.
Symptoms
Keratosis pilaris most usually affects the back of the upper arms, and sometimes the front of the thighs, and the buttocks. You may observe tiny 1 to 2 mm white or skin-colored bumps on the skin around the hair follicles. Many times a small thin red ring may be seen surrounding the white bump. The affected skin will look like chicken skin and will feel as rough as a sandpaper. In some people the skin might be itchy with inflammation around the bumps. The condition worsens during winter as the skin gets dry compared to summer.
Treatment
In many cases, medical treatment is not required. The most common home remedy is to apply moisturizers and skin lubricants to decrease the dryness of the skin and alleviate the symptoms.
Other forms of treatment include application of urea preparations, lactic-acid creams, and topical retinoids. Alpha hydroxy acids and skin smoothening scrubs are beneficial as these mild peeling agents are effective in opening up the clogged hair follicles.
You can try some home remedy like green tea oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties. It is safe for children, and helps fight skin discoloration and protects the skin from free radicals. This will help reduce the visibility and texture of the bumps. Many times laser treatment and intense pulsed light also helps reduce the redness.
There is no known treatment that cures keratosis pilaris completely; however, the symptoms disappear after the age of 30 years. The best way to treat this condition in children is by following the instructions given by the doctor.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.