Keratosis Pilaris (For Professionals)

• Keratosis pilaris is a very frequent condition:

1. It presents as follicular scaly papules affected all areas except the glabrous skin but mostly found on the arms, legs and buttocks.
2. These lesions are painless but may be red and itchy at times.

• It is associated with Atopy and Ichtyosis Vulgaris:

1. Both conditions are characterized by a deficiency of filaggrin, a corneal protein.
2. Atopic dermatitis is more frequent in Asia affecting around 8% of the urban population in S.Korea(http://adv.medicaljournals.se/article/pdf/10.1080/000155500459295).

• Keratosis pilaris is caused by an excess keratin production:

1. The excess keratin surrounds and entraps the hair follicles in the pore.
2. This causes the formation of hard plugs (process known as hyperkeratinization).

• Practically speaking, the most important part is education and good counselling so the patient understands the the nature of keratosis pilaris (KP):

1. Keratosis pilaris is not curable, but it may become less noticeable with time.
2. KP may spontaneously clear without treatment.
3. KP generally requires ongoing maintenance therapy

• Treatment is as wide as it is unsatisfactory :

1. urea cream up to a concentration of 15%, Tretinoin cream to remove the hyperkeratosis.
2. Alpha Hydroxy-acids (AHA) chemical peels.
3. To temporarily reduce redness but not roughness, pulse dye laser treatment or intense pulsed light (IPL) can be done.

This advice is for informational purposes  only and does not replace therapeutic judgement done by a skin doctor.