Keratosis pilaris

Keratosis pilaris is a very common harmless condition where small bumps appear on your skin. It can last for a long time, but there are treatments that may help.

Symptoms of keratosis pilaris may include:

You usually get patches of small bumps on your arms, thighs or bottom, but they can appear in other places.

The bumps are usually the colour of your skin. They can also be red if they're on white skin, or darker on brown or black skin.

The skin can sometimes feel itchy, and may be better in summer and worse in winter.

Keratosis pilaris can affect people of any age. If your child has a rash and you're not sure it's keratosis pilaris, see more about rashes in babies and children.

Most people with keratosis pilaris have it for years, and it may eventually clear up by itself.

There are things you can do to help improve the appearance of your skin.

Do

  • moisturise your skin – ask a pharmacist what's most suitable for you

  • use mild and unperfumed soaps and bathing products

  • gently scrub your skin with a washcloth or exfoliating mitt

  • have cool or lukewarm showers and baths

Don't

  • do not use perfumed soaps or bathing products that can dry out your skin

  • do not use harsh scrubs on your skin – this can make it worse

  • do not have hot baths or showers

  • do not scratch, pick or rub your skin

Speak to a pharmacist if:

  • things you try yourself are not helping your keratosis pilaris and the condition is bothering you
  • your skin becomes itchy or inflamed
  • you're not sure if you need to see a GP

A pharmacist can recommend creams or lotion to help your skin. They can also tell you if you need to see a GP.

Other treatments

Other treatments available for keratosis pilaris include steroid creams and laser treatments.

These types of treatments are not usually available on the NHS because they have not been proven to be effective, and they can be expensive to pay for privately.

Keratosis pilaris happens when your hair follicles become blocked with a build-up of keratin, a substance found in skin, hair and nails.

Nobody knows exactly why keratin builds up, but the condition is thought to run in families. So if your parents have it, you may get it too.

Keratosis pilaris is not infectious, so you cannot spread or catch it.