How To Get Rid Of Swelling On Face

Definition
- What Is Keratosis Pilaris?
Symptoms
- What Are Symptoms of Keratosis Pilaris?
Causes
- What Causes Keratosis Pilaris?
Diagnosis
- How Is Keratosis Pilaris Diagnosed?
Treatment
- What Is the Treatment for Keratosis Pilaris?
Guide
- How Do I Get Rid of Keratosis Pilaris On My Face? Topic Guide

What Is Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is a harmless skin condition you can clear up with mild soaps and creams in a consistent skin care regimen.

Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition in which tiny bumps develop on the skin. The bumps are harmless plugs of dead skin cells and tend to appear on the upper arms, front of the thighs, and cheeks. Keratosis pilaris is frequently seen along with atopic dermatitis and ichthyosis vulgaris.

What Are Symptoms of Keratosis Pilaris?

Symptoms of keratosis pilaris include:

Tiny, rough-feeling bumps on the skin.
- May look like goosebumps or a plucked chicken
- May resemble small pimples
- May be grouped or scattered
Usually occur in children and adolescents, and sometimes infants
Tend to appear on the upper arms, front of the thighs, and cheeks
May sometimes occur on the face, trunk, buttocks, and lower legs or forearms
May clear during the summer and recur in winter
May appear in different colors, including the same color as the patient's skin, as well as white, red, pinkish purple (on fair skin), and brownish black (on dark skin)
Usually improve with age but may persist into adulthood
May worsen during pregnancy
Itching
Dryness
Skin redness
Often associated with other skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis or ichthyosis vulgaris

What Causes Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is caused by a buildup of keratin that forms a plug blocking the opening of hair follicles, but the cause is not fully understood. Keratosis pilaris has been associated with mutations of filaggrin, a protein that binds to keratin. It may be genetic. It is not contagious.

Risk factors for developing keratosis pilaris include:

A family history of the condition
Asthma
Dry skin
Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
Being overweight or obese
Hay fever
Ichthyosis vulgaris (a skin condition that causes very dry skin)
Having melanoma and taking vemurafenib (Zelboraf), a targeted therapy used to treat melanoma that has spread

How Is Keratosis Pilaris Diagnosed?

Keratosis pilaris is diagnosed with a physical examination of the bumps on the skin.

Biopsy is usually not necessary but may be performed to confirm a diagnosis and rule out other conditions.

What Is the Treatment for Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris may improve on its own without treatment. It is also considered a harmless condition that does not require treatment.

However, many patients have cosmetic concerns and request treatment to reduce skin roughness and redness.

Treatments for keratosis pilaris that may help relieve skin roughness, redness, and dryness on the face and body include:

Using mild soaps or soap-free cleansers and avoiding hot baths or showers
Gentle removal of dead skin with a loofah or at-home microdermabrasion kit
Moisturizing creams that contain urea or lactic acid to relieve itch or dryness
Medications to remove dead skin cells and diminish the appearance of the bumps
- Alpha hydroxyl acid
- Glycolic acid
- Lactic acid
- Retinoids (adapalene, retinol, tazarotene, tretinoin)
- Salicylic acid
- Urea
- Corticosteroids

Laser or light treatment may be used to treat keratosis pilaris to reduce the swelling and redness or to improve the skin's texture and reduce discoloration

It can take time for the skin to clear, and treatments do not cure the condition. It is important for patients to continue to maintain a skin-care regimen to continue to see results.