You had never really given any thought to the little white bumps you’ve had have on your upper arms your entire life, until your husband so sweetly pointed them out. So, you sit down and do some research on the internet, and come up with results that sound something similar to what you’ve got: Keratosis Pilaris. Is it possible you have this common skin condition? Vine Vera examines what exactly Keratosis Pilaris is, and what you can do about it.
What it Is
Keratosis Pilaris, otherwise known as ‘Chicken Skin’, or KP for short, is a common skin condition which exhibits itself by forming small, pimple-like white bumps on the body. This condition tends to affect areas such as the upper arms, thighs, buttocks, and cheeks. Although this condition is not dangerous or harmful, it can be quite annoying for the sufferer, as it is unsightly, and it’s not very easy to treat. This condition usually resolves itself by age 30, or into the early thirties.
How Does Someone Get It?
People who produce excess Keratin compounds within their bodies are more prone to developing Keratosis Pilaris. It’s not currently known why some people produce excess amounts of this naturally occurring protein. If you have dry skin and also have an excess of Keratin in your system, your odds are higher to develop this condition. Other ongoing medical conditions can also bring this about as well, such as dermatitis.
How to Treat It
The condition can be controlled and treated, however it isn’t always easy to find a solution, as the condition itself is hard to treat. There are some tried and true remedies that do, in fact, work.
- Retinoids – Retinoids, when applied topically (to the skin) prevent the hair follicles from being clogged. This aids in the prevention and treatment of the disorder, because keratin needs to clog the pores in order to affect the skin as Keratosis Pilaris.
- Acid Based Exfoliants – compounds such as Alpha Hydroxy or Salicylic Acid have been known to work well for this condition. They may come in a cream or gel form.
- Laser Therapy – Laser therapy has been shown to be very effective in treating KP. This treatment method, however, may require repeat sessions in order to effectively treat the condition.
Use Your Best Judgment
Though there are a few treatment options, if you aren’t truly bothered by your KP, you may just opt to leave the condition alone. Some people experience itching from the bumps, and become uncomfortable. If this applies to you, treatment may be something you want to think about. If you find you are not bothered by it at all, perhaps it’s best to simply leave it alone, and live with it. Again, it isn’t a dangerous condition, nor is treatment actually required. Even if you opt for treatment, KP is known to resurface – and if you opt for expensive treatments, this can be disconcerting and stressful.
Choosing a treatment option or opting to leave it alone altogether is a personal decision, one that you must make yourself.
No matter what you choose to do, KP doesn’t need to affect the way you feel about yourself, or your quality of life. Many, many women, men, and children experience this – it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Breathe easy in knowing things really could be worse.
Life is beautiful – and so are you. Don’t let KP run your life or get you down. Love your skin, and be proud of who you are.
Vine Vera 
Reblogged this on Sarah McCormick, Beauty Blogger and commented:
An article I wrote on Keratosis Pilaris for Vine Vera Skincare, which is a a common skin condition afflicting many women, men, and children.