What is Keratosis Pilaris (KP)?
Keratosis Pilaris is a common (very common actually), genetic skin condition characterized by small, bumps or rough patches that form on the skin; most often on the backs of the upper arm and upper thigh caused by an over-production and build-up of keratin in the pores of the skin.
Whew, that was a mouthful.
We’ll take some time to break that definition down a little bit throughout the course. Basically, if you have KP, cells in your skin have been kicked into over-drive and the result is those rough patches of skin. They often look like goosebumps or the skin of a plucked chicken, hence the nickname “chicken skin”. You’ll never hear us call it that to that from here on out, mainly because it just sounds gross and KP isn’t gross. It sucks, for sure, but it is not gross. (and our goal is to help you and your family; not make you feel gross or weird.)
Most people actually find out they have KP when they are visiting their primary care physician or dermatologist for some other condition. Other than appearance and some mild itching, KP is medically harmless. If you went on with life and never did anything to treat your KP, it most likely would get significantly better or go away completely by the time you were an adult. For some folks, though, KP can be a major nuisance, and I’m guessing you’re one of those. Why else would you be taking the KP Crash Course?! And if that is you, you’re in the right place.
Some Statistics
Stats can be a mixed bag for sure, but we’ve scoured the interwebs to find the ones that seem to be most important to folks with KP:
- KP affects 50-80% of children and adolescents (you’re not alone)
- And approximately 40% of adults have KP
- People are usually diagnosed before age 10
- Symptoms tend to get worse during adolescence and puberty (stupid hormones)
- For most KP clears up with time (by age 30)
- More women are affected
- KP is seen worldwide
- It is not contagious
- There is a strong genetic component
Is KP linked to any other health conditions?
KP isn’t linked to any other conditions, but there are a few conditions associated with increased risk for KP such as:
- Close blood relatives who have keratosis pilaris (largest risk factor for sure)
- Asthma
- Dry skin
- Eczema
- Excess body weight
- Hay fever
- Ichthyosis vulgaris
Prognosis
For KP, the prognosis is good! There are no know long-term implications for folks with KP and it is not associated with any increased morbidity (risk of other disease) or mortality (risk of death). Symptoms tend to improve with age except for during puberty. The raging hormones or blossoming maturity can cause increased flare ups. Great. Another thing to stress out our teenagers. Thankfully, as we said earlier, most people’s KP improves or completely goes away by adulthood along with the other woes of puberty.
Conclusion
Alright, class, that’s enough for today. Hopefully our little introduction here has been helpful in not only orienting you to KP, but also giving you some insight as to what is to come. There is hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel. When something in life is overwhelming or daunting, it always helps to get a fuller picture of the situation. KP is manageable and you can help your kid’s symptoms improve. We’re here to show you how.
Homework
What kind of prestigious educational institution would we be if we didn’t offer homework, right?? Relax. It’s not biology (yet). As a human, hopefully that includes you, it’s really hard to accurately remember the past sometimes. Our memories are influenced so much by time and emotions that we can’t really trust our ability to remember details accurately, so we think it would be helpful to document where you are now, so that in the future you can look back and see what’s changed and how much it’s changed.
- Take some “before” pictures. As time goes by, its hard to remember exactly how bad your kid’s symptoms were. You’ll be tempted to think a treatment regimen isn’t working unless you’re able to look back and clearly see the progress. Or, you may look back and realize that you’re not gaining much ground. If that’s the case, its time to shake things up a bit.
- Jot down a few notes. Write down whatever you’re thinking in regards to KP. Your frustrations, goals, plan, questions, whatever you want. It’s helpful to get that stuff down somewhere, and later on down the road hopefully you’ll be able to look back and see what’s changed.
Ready for the next lesson? Continue here.
Sources:
The American Academy of Dermatology
Medscape
Back to the Start
Introduction…Cause and Presentation…What Not to Do…Treatment…Recommended Products
