Keratosis Pilaris, Chicken Skin - Treating Dry Bumpy Skin | Special Tips for Black Skin | Ask Doctor

Summary

In this informative video, Dr. Semi discusses keratosis pilaris, a common chronic dry skin condition affecting hair follicles. She explains the buildup of dead skin cells, its appearance on various skin tones, and its higher prevalence in women and children. The video offers practical advice on managing the condition through self-care, skincare, and professional treatments, emphasizing the importance of moisturizing and gentle exfoliation. Dr. Semi also addresses common mistakes that can worsen the condition and provides reassurance that, although chronic, keratosis pilaris can improve with age and proper care.

Takeaways

• 😷 Keratosis pilaris is a common chronic dry skin condition affecting hair follicles with a buildup of dead skin cells.
• 📍 It is characterized by small, rough bumps on areas such as the upper arms, thighs, cheeks, buttocks, and back.
• 👀 The condition's appearance varies with skin tone; it can look red in fair skin and as just bumps in skin of color.
• 👩‍⚕️ It is more common in women, children, and adolescents, and often improves with age.
• 🌡️ Keratosis pilaris tends to improve in summer and worsen in winter, possibly due to environmental factors like central heating.
• 🧬 The condition is not fully understood but is believed to have a genetic component and is not contagious.
• 🛁 Self-care includes taking lukewarm showers to avoid stripping the skin of natural oils and waxes.
• 🧼 Avoid using soap, which can dry out the skin and exacerbate the condition; opt for gentle cleansers instead.
• 💧 Moisturizing while skin is still damp can help lock in hydration and improve the symptoms of keratosis pilaris.
• 🧪 Chemical exfoliation with products containing alpha hydroxy acids like lactic acid can gently exfoliate and hydrate the skin.
• 🏥 Professional treatments such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser therapy can be considered for more severe cases.

Q & A

What is keratosis pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is a common chronic dry skin condition that affects the hair follicles. It is characterized by a buildup of dead skin cells around the hair follicle due to improper shedding, leading to blocked pores and the appearance of small, raised bumps or mounds on the skin.

How does keratosis pilaris manifest on the skin?

Keratosis pilaris causes dry, bumpy skin that feels like a mixture of dead skin cells mixed with oil. It often appears as 'permanent goosebumps' and can be found on areas such as the outer surfaces of the upper arms, outer thighs, cheeks, buttocks, and back.

What does keratosis pilaris look like on different skin tones?

On the fairest skin tones, keratosis pilaris can appear as red spots around hair follicles or with a red background. In skin of color, such as black or Asian skin, the redness is not visible, and only the bumps are seen, which can vary in color from skin-colored to light brown, dark brown, or black.

Is keratosis pilaris more common in certain groups of people?

Yes, keratosis pilaris tends to affect women more than men and is more common in children and adolescents. It is also more prevalent in people who suffer from eczema, dry skin, or have a history of atopy (a tendency to have allergies and suffer from conditions like hay fever).

Does keratosis pilaris have any seasonal variations?

Keratosis pilaris seems to improve in the summer and worsen in the winter. This could be due to the central heating in winter, which increases transepidermal water loss and can aggravate the condition.

How can keratosis pilaris affect a person's life?

Although harmless, keratosis pilaris can cause emotional distress or despair. It can lead to self-consciousness, affect fashion choices, and impact self-esteem and overall life due to concerns about the skin condition and what others may think.

Is keratosis pilaris hereditary?

Yes, genetics play a part in keratosis pilaris. If someone in your family has it, you are more likely to have it as well. It is thought to be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning there is a 50% chance of inheriting it if one parent has the condition.

Is keratosis pilaris contagious?

No, keratosis pilaris is not contagious. It cannot be transmitted by rubbing against someone else's arm or by rubbing your arm on a different part of your body.

What are some self-care tips for managing keratosis pilaris?

Self-care for keratosis pilaris includes taking lukewarm showers instead of hot ones to avoid stripping the skin of natural oils, and exfoliating either physically with a brush, washcloth, or pumice stone, or chemically with a moisturizer containing alpha hydroxy acid like lactic acid.

What are some common mistakes that can worsen keratosis pilaris?

Common mistakes include taking hot showers, which can dry out the skin, and using soap to wash, which can strip the skin of its natural oils and lead to transepidermal water loss, aggravating the condition.

What professional treatments are available for keratosis pilaris?

Professional treatments for keratosis pilaris can include microdermabrasion, chemical peels with beta hydroxy acids, and laser treatments such as pulsed dye laser for redness associated with the condition. It's important to choose a professional experienced with darker skin tones to avoid pigmentation issues.

How can moisturizing help with keratosis pilaris?

Moisturizing helps with keratosis pilaris by hydrating the skin and trapping water within the stratum corneum, the topmost layer of the skin. It is recommended to moisturize while the skin is still damp to lock in hydration and improve the condition.

What role do vitamin A derivative creams play in treating keratosis pilaris?

Vitamin A derivative creams, also known as retinoids, can improve keratosis pilaris by speeding up and normalizing the skin cell turnover and promoting exfoliation. However, they should be used with caution, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding.