Keratosis Pilaris

Zoltan Trizna, MD, PhD Reviewed 06/2019

BASICS

Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a benign skin disorder resulting in hyperkeratinization of the hair follicles.
Generally asymptomatic, often improving with age

DESCRIPTION

Small (1 to 2 mm), keratotic p...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Patients often complain about a “rough” skin, sometimes with pruritus (which indicates inflammation).
Most patients are asymptomatic, but some are concerned about their cosmetic appear...

TREATMENT

Daily measures to prevent dry skin, such as using mild cleansers, along with moisturizers, are the mainstay of treatment (2)[A]. Treatment improves symptoms but is not curative.

GENERAL MEASURES

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

Most cases improve with age.

COMPLICATIONS

Hair loss is rare. If the lateral eyebrows are involved, consider the diagnosis of KP atrophicans faciei (ulerythema ophryogenes).

REFERENCES

Panchaprateep R, Tanus A, Tosti A. Clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathologic features of body hair disorders. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015;72(5):890–900. [View Abstract on OvidMedline]

...

ADDITIONAL READING

Boza JC, Trindade EN, Peruzzo J, et al. Skin manifestations of obesity: a comparative study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2012;26(10):1220–1223. [View Abstract on OvidMedline...

CODES

ICD10

L85.8 Other specified epidermal thickening

ICD9

757.39 Other specified anomalies of skin
701.1 Keratoderma, acquired

SNOMED

5132005 Keratosis pilaris (disorder)

CLINICAL PEARLS

KP is frequently mistaken for acne.
Patients often self-manage with over-the-counter acne treatment products/medications originally prescribed for their facial acne.
Daily measures to pr...

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