Diagnosethis – Treatments, Explanations, Medications, Remedies, Images, Causes, Self Diagnosis,

Keratosis Pilaris is a very common disorder in which small, rough bumps occur in hair follicles or pores, often with some redness around the pore.

It occurs in about 60% of teens and is more commonly seen in girls.

About 40% of adults will get it in varying degrees. It is more common in those with atopic conditions (asthma, hay fever, eczema), ichthyosis vulgaris, hypothyrodism, Cushing’s disease and a number of rare genetic conditions.

The vast majority of patients will have involvement of the upper outer back of their arms. Over half have some involvement on their outer upper thighs and about 30% have some involvement on their buttocks.

Hormonal influences have been considered since it appears at puberty and is more common in overweight women who have higher androgen (male hormone) levels. There is a genetic component to this condition. It appears to be autosomal dominant, and there is also an X-linked recessive variant.

Treatment

Self help:

Some over-the-counter (OTC) treatments include the following, and should be applied after bathing, and at bedtime:

Lactic acid lotions:

• Lachydrin®
• Lacticare®

Urea lotions:

• Uremol® Lotion

Glycolic Acid Lotions:

• Reversa® solution
• Neostrata® solution

Medical treatment:

Some topical treatments (creams and lotions) include:

• Tretinoin cream 0.1%-0.1% applied daily to the affected area, Differin® cream applied daily
• Tazorac® 0.05% or 0.1% cream or gel Oral therapies (pills and capsules)

Included are:

• Isotretinoin – This would only be used for the scarring Acitretin
• Laser treatment – Used for correction of scarring