Keratosis Pilaris Treatments and Medications

If you’ve noticed that you have red, raised bumps on dry patches of skin, you may be concerned with the possible cause. There are many different skin conditions out there, most of which are chronic and can be painful or itchy. But you don’t need to be frightened by keratosis pilaris, a relatively common and harmless chronic condition.

Just because keratosis pilaris isn’t harmful, doesn’t mean it can’t be annoying or cause you to be self-conscious of the dry patches. The good news is that there are plenty of treatment options that can be used at home or prescribed by your doctor or dermatologist.

If you’re looking for a way to remove redness, bumps, and dry patches caused by keratosis then we have information that can help. Let’s take a look at what this skin condition is and how you can get help!

What is keratosis pilaris?

When the skin produces too much keratin, a protein normally found in the hair or skin, hair follicles can become blocked. Similar to psoriasis, this overproduction can cause clogs in the hair follicle that lead to redness or raised bumps where the blockage occurs. But keratosis is different from other conditions like psoriasis, as it does not cause pain, itching, or skin plaque growth. It generally first appears during childhood and is likely caused by certain genes that are commonly found in patients with keratosis.

Keratosis is also referred to as chicken skin due to the bumps found on the upper arm, thighs, buttocks, or cheeks, which may be the first and only symptom you experience. These bumps can resemble whiteheads or acne, with a white or red appearance to the bump itself. Dry skin around this area is also a common symptom, but darkening of the skin can occur as well.

Treating keratosis is mainly done for cosmetic purposes as the skin does not tend to be itchy or painful. Your doctor or dermatologist may prescribe a steroid cream after a diagnosis, or you can attempt to self-treat with topical retinoids or sprays and body lotions with retinol, glycolic acid, vitamin A and other solutions.

How is keratosis pilaris diagnosed?

There are not any diagnostic tests needed for determining whether or not you have keratosis. If you wish to get an official diagnosis you’ll need to visit your primary care provider or dermatologist so that they can take a look at the affected area. Typically, patients will seek a diagnosis to rule out other skin diseases or obtain a prescription treatment, after trying out home remedies.

Keratosis pilaris treatment options

A majority of the treatments for keratosis are performed at home, although some prescription treatments do exist. Moisturizers, humidifiers, and over-the-counter creams are all popular choices for treating keratosis pilaris. Medicated topical creams to remove dry skin or prevent clogged follicles may also be used. Another way of treating this condition can include lifestyle changes to prevent the keratosis from occurring.

There is not a cure for keratosis pilaris and it is a chronic condition. However, using treatments that can prevent blocked follicles or quickly treat the area will greatly reduce the time the condition is present.

Keratosis pilaris medications

Nearly every medication for keratosis will be applied topically to the affected area. There typically are not any underlying causes for this skin condition which is why oral medications or injections are not necessary for medicating. Over-the-counter (OTC) ointments and at-home treatments are one of the most popular ways to treat keratosis pilaris.

Corticosteroid (topical steroids)

If you receive a prescription for treating keratosis then it may be a corticosteroid ointment, if a significant amount of swelling or redness is present. There are a few different types of these medications, including fluocinolone acetonide, desonide, and betamethasone. Brand names for common corticosteroids are Diprolene, Synalar, and Desonate. These medicated ointments work by reducing redness and swelling, which are two of the keratosis symptoms. Side effects of corticosteroids include stinging, burning, and itching of the area it was applied to.

Topical emollients and keratolytics (alpha-hydroxy acids)

Topical emollients combined with keratolytics are the most common first treatment option for keratosis pilaris. There are many over-the-counter emollients used for treating keratosis. Typically, these will be topical treatments containing urea. The keratin is softened by using topical urea, which reduces or possibly eliminates the keratosis. A few of the more common brands for topical urea treatments include Ureacin-10, Utopic, and Keralac. Side effects of these medicated ointments include burning and stinging, however, there are typically no side effects of this medication.

Using an alpha-hydroxy acid with an emollient is the recommended way to treat keratosis. The most commonly used product in this category is ammonium lactate which is a lactic acid added to moisturizing lotions. Amlactin is the most popular name brand of ammonium lactate at this time. Side effects for this topical treatment aren’t common unless you have an allergy to the product.

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Best medications for keratosis pilaris