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What is keratosis pilaris?

What causes keratosis pilaris?

What are the symptoms of keratosis pilaris?

How can doctors tell if I have keratosis pilaris?

How do doctors treat keratosis pilaris?

Hypersensitivity and Inflammatory Skin Disorders

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

The lips undergo changes with aging, as do all parts of the body. Some changes may indicate a medical issue; others are harmless. As people age, the lips tend to become thinner. Deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals can lead to inflammation of the lips (cheilitis), causing them to become red, cracked, painful, swollen, and/or scaly. Deficiency of which of the following vitamins or minerals can cause these symptoms?

Iron
Vitamin D
Thiamin
Vitamin C

Keratosis Pilaris

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The Manual's Editorial Staff

Last full review/revision Jan 2021| Content last modified Jan 2021

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Keratosis Pilaris

"Keratosis" means a rough, scaly patch of skin due to overgrowth of the upper layer of skin. "Pilaris" is related to hair.

Keratosis pilaris is a skin problem in which dead skin cells from the upper layer of your skin plug up the hair follicles in your skin, causing little bumps.

Keratosis pilaris is common and harmless
It usually happens in cold weather and gets better in summer
Your skin may feel rough because of the bumps
Doctors can treat the itching or redness of keratosis pilaris using skin lotions or laser treatments

Doctors aren't sure what causes keratosis pilaris, but heredity may play a role. It doesn't seem to be an allergic or immune system disorder.

People with atopic dermatitis are more likely to have keratosis pilaris.

Symptoms of keratosis pilaris include:

Small bumps that are skin-colored or red, usually on the upper arms, thighs, and bottom, sometimes on your face
Sometimes, plugs in the middle of the bumps that look like pimples
Redness and itching of your skin

Doctors can tell you have keratosis pilaris by examining your skin.

Most of the time, keratosis pilaris doesn't need treatment. If itching or redness bothers you, doctors can treat it using:

Skin moisturizers with glycolic or lactic acid
Sometimes, laser treatments to lessen the redness

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Panniculitis

Hypersensitivity and Inflammatory Skin Disorders

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)

Keratosis Pilaris

Introduction to Hypersensitivity and Inflammatory Skin Disorders

Treatment of Skin Disorders

The lips undergo changes with aging, as do all parts of the body. Some changes may indicate a medical issue; others are harmless. As people age, the lips tend to become thinner. Deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals can lead to inflammation of the lips (cheilitis), causing them to become red, cracked, painful, swollen, and/or scaly. Deficiency of which of the following vitamins or minerals can cause these symptoms?

Iron
Vitamin D
Thiamin
Vitamin C

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