{"id":3618,"date":"2019-02-05T07:17:20","date_gmt":"2019-02-05T07:17:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=3618"},"modified":"2021-05-25T18:20:52","modified_gmt":"2021-05-25T18:20:52","slug":"15-signs-of-keratosis-pilaris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-signs-of-keratosis-pilaris\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Signs of Keratosis Pilaris"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Keratosis pilaris is the medical term for a buildup of keratin in skin pores. The accumulation of the protein blocks hair follicles, forming small, sandpaper-like bumps. Most people affected by the condition don\u2019t seek treatment, as the disorder is not life-threatening.
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Keratosis pilaris is not cancerous, and you won\u2019t run the risk of it developing into a malignant tumor. Medical professionals are at a loss to explain the cause of the condition. Some researchers believe that the disorder can occur from using too much sunblock or other oily skincare products that block the pores of the skin.
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While keratosis pilaris is not a fatal disease, and won\u2019t lead to the development of cancer, it\u2019s still an embarrassing disorder. If left untreated, affected individuals may experience depression and stress as a result of their skin disorder, especially if it affects areas on the face.
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Here are eight signs of keratosis pilaris. If you notice any of them on your skin, arrange an assessment with a dermatologist to talk about treatment for the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Small Bumps
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Keratosis pilaris is the development of small bumps, the size of a grain of sand, seen on the surface of the skin. They take on a red, pink, tan, or white color that looks similar in appearance to an acne outbreak. However, the bumps don\u2019t produce any pus <\/a>or oil.
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Keratosis pilaris typically affects the upper arms and the upper legs. However, some affected individuals notice the condition affects their face, shoulders, and glutes as well. The bumps are painless and don\u2019t produce a pain response when pinched or pressed.
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The bumps appear as the hair follicles become blocked with extra keratin, a protein used in hair growth that keeps your hair healthy. Keratosis pilaris may first appear during childhood and gradually spread throughout the affected area with age. While the skin disorder is not life-threatening, it\u2019s best to visit a dermatologist for diagnosis of the condition and treatment advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Rough Skin
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The majority of individuals affected by keratosis pilaris – report that their skin feels rough to the touch. People that have advanced stages of skin <\/a>disorder may state that their skin feels like sandpaper.
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When keratin builds up in the hair follicle, it blocks the area that produces hair and prevents new growth from occurring. As the condition worsens, the blocked pores begin to develop \u201cheads,\u201d that look like small red bumps that sit raised above the surface of the skin.
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The scaly plugs also trap any hair growth in the follicle. As a result, the bumps may contain a small hair that remains inside the follicle. Visit your dermatologist for a diagnosis of the condition. You can treat keratosis pilaris with an exfoliation treatment using a battery-powered brush with a gentle scrubbing action. Use a moisturizer that features propylene glycol, and an OTC treatment cream that contains lactic acid, to soften the hardened skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Dry Skin
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People with dry skin<\/a> are particularly susceptible to developing keratosis pilaris. Affected individuals living in hot, dry climates typically notice signs of dry skin when environmental conditions draw moisture out of the air.
People suffering from keratosis pilaris may also notice that the condition worsens during the wintertime when the air gets dry, and symptoms begin to diminish when the warmer and wetter seasons arrive.
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In some cases, patients may confuse keratosis pilaris symptoms with atopic dermatitis, a type of skin condition that affects children and adults. The disease also affects the skin and has the same visual characteristics as keratosis pilaris. However, patients suffering from atopic dermatitis experience flare-ups in their condition upon contact with chemicals and other solvents that irritate the skin.
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People suffering from keratosis pilaris and dry skin need to start an aggressive moisturizing program to relieve the symptoms of itching and inflammation around the affected area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Red or Inflamed Skin
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Most people affected by the skin disorder won\u2019t notice the onset of the disease until it spreads significantly through the affected area. Most people write the effects of the condition off to over-exposure to the sun, or an insect bite. However, as the keratosis pilaris spreads throughout the affected region, the person begins to realize that they may have a skin disorder.
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Red <\/a>or inflamed skin is one of the first signs of keratosis pilaris, and you shouldn\u2019t ignore the symptom. The inflammation starts when keratin clogs up- the hair follicle. As the blockage grows in size, the blood vessels on the skin’s surface begin to dilate, producing little red bumps.
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Inflammation of the skin can have irritating side effects. If you find that topical lotions and creams give little relief, try rubbing some organic coconut oil into your skin to soothe the symptoms. Coconut oil has natural antimicrobial properties that relieve the irritation and prevent infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Itching
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As with most skin disorders, itching <\/a>is a frequently encountered sign of keratosis pilaris, especially in dry environmental conditions. Your skin releases moisturizing oils through the pores to keep your skin moist and healthy. When excess keratin blocks the follicle, its unable to release these oils and your skin starts to feel dry.
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Dry skin flakes easily, and as a result, your skin starts to feel itchy and uncomfortable, especially if clothing rubs over the affected area. The itching is not as pronounced as the symptoms from a mosquito bite, but it is a persistent, mild itching sensation.
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Feeling like you want to scratch the affected area all day long can drive some patients crazy. If you\u2019re struggling with itching symptoms, consider starting a moisturizing protocol to relieve the irritation.
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Itchy skin is also a sign of inflammation. The blocked pores are unable to secrete oils and become inflamed as a result. Affected individuals living in dry climates may notice an exacerbation of itching symptoms during the winter months when the air is arid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Affected Body Parts
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In some rare cases of keratosis pilaris, individuals may experience outbreaks of red bumps over their entire body. There have been reports of isolated instances in which the scalp <\/a>and eyebrows become affected by the condition as well.
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However, in most cases, the disease affects the back of the upper arms and the front of the thighs. In children, keratosis pilaris mostly affects the cheeks, legs, and upper arms. If left untreated, the condition sometimes clears on its own with a skin conditioning treatment applied on a regular basis.
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Keratosis pilaris can also affect the skin on the forearms, upper back, and buttocks as well. It\u2019s common for teenagers to develop the condition on their buttocks as hormonal changes begin to occur within the body.
If you notice the condition spreading to other parts of your body, it\u2019s best to make an appointment with your dermatologist to uncover the reason for the spread of keratosis pilaris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Increased Intensity of Symptoms During Seasonal Changes
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Your intensity of symptoms depends on the area in which you live. Affected individuals living in dry climates with little moisture in the air will typically see an increase in itchy skin and outbreaks <\/a>on regions of the body that would not usually experience it in a moist environment. However, the condition can also affect those individuals living in humid areas, such as the coastline as well.
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Affected individuals notice a flare in their symptoms around seasonal changes, particularly during the start of the winter months when the air becomes much drier. It\u2019s important for people suffering from the condition to increase their moisturizing protocol as the winter progresses.
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The start of summer is another time of the year when affected individuals notice an increase in their symptoms of keratosis pilaris. Your skin is a sensitive organ and is responsive to the slightest changes in temperature and humidity. The combination of low humidity and dry air is guaranteed to irritate the condition and cause an increase in symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Rash
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It\u2019s common for people suffering from keratosis pilaris to confuse their symptoms with the onset of a rash<\/a>. Both conditions have a similar appearance, with pinhead-sized blisters appearing on the surface of the skin in an isolated area of the body.
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However, keratosis pilaris bumps are entirely different from the inflammation caused by a rash or skin irritation. Keratosis pilaris bumps are red in the center, with a red or pink halo around the center \u2013 signaling inflammation.
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If you pass your finger over the affected area, the bumps have a sandpaper-like feeling to them, and you may notice increased skin sensitivity in the affected region. Most clusters of keratosis pilaris may have between 10 and 100-bumps, and usually affect an area as large as the palm of your hand.
If you notice a rash on your skin, it could be keratosis pilaris. Arrange a consultation with your dermatologist as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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