Why do doctors (yes, I realize I’m one of them) love to use such long words to describe simple things? The best example I can think of is sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, which means—wait for it—ice cream headache! But a close second is keratosis pilaris, which is the medical term for… chicken skin. You know the little rough, red patches you sometimes get on the back of your arms or front of your thighs? Those are probably the symptoms of keratosis pilaris (also called KP), a very common, harmless skin condition. Harmless, that is, except for the frustration of feeling like a recently plucked chicken. And who wants to feel that way? Below, you’ll find a little more info about KP, including keratosis pilaris causes, keratosis pilaris treatment, and what you can do to get your bumpy skin back to a smooth, happy, healthy state.
What is keratosis pilaris?
As I said, it’s just bumpy skin. But let’s examine the medical description. Keratosis just means an excess or growth of keratin, one of the proteins that makes up our skin and hair. And any medical word with “pilo” in it is related to hair. (Piloerection is the medical word for goosebumps. I’m not making this up, people.) So, keratosis pilaris is a buildup of keratin and dead skin cells within the hair follicles, causing them to bulge (hence the bumpy texture), and often causing them to get irritated and inflamed. KP usually occurs on the backs of the arms, the fronts of the thighs, and sometimes on the buttocks. My theory is that these areas are the places where your clothing tends to rub back and forth on your skin the most, and it stimulates dysfunctional keratin production in the hair follicles. But my theory on why it occurs in these areas is as unproven as the few others out there—we don’t have any actual data to explain why it occurs in some areas and not others. What we do know is that at least 40% of the worldwide population will experience KP at some point.
KP can look a different from person to person. For some people, it shows up as small, flesh-colored bumps that feel like sandpaper. For others, the bumps are red, pink, or brownish, depending on skin tone and how much inflammation is present; it's referred to as keratosis pilaris rubra when it's very red and inflamed looking. It can also feel itchy or dry, especially in winter, but it usually doesn't hurt. And while it can look a bit like acne, it’s not the same thing. KP is not an infection, it’s not caused by poor hygiene, and it’s not something you can scrub into submission, though the temptation is understandable.
What causes keratosis pilaris?
There’s no single cause of KP—it can be different in every case. For some patients, it may be a curly hair shaft that causes a keratin buildup. In some people, it’s hereditary, though no specific gene has been linked to it yet. There’s a growing suspicion that certain chemicals, such as sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate or synthetic fragrance, are causing a low-level skin irritation. Subsequent abnormal keratin production and inflammation can lead to symptoms of KP. Lastly, some medications used to treat melanoma can cause KP.
It’s worth noting that KP tends to be more noticeable when the skin barrier is dry or irritated. That’s why so many people notice it more in the winter, in dry climates, or after long stretches of hot showers and aggressive cleansing. The plugs themselves are made of keratin, but the overall “chicken skin” effect is often a combination of keratin buildup, dryness, friction, and low-grade inflammation.
KP can also overlap with other dry-skin issues like eczema, seasonal allergies, asthma, and a condition called ichthyosis vulgaris (there's that crazy medical vocabulary again), a genetic tendency toward very dry, scaly skin. If you have any of those conditions, you might notice a little chicken skin from time to time.
Who gets keratosis pilaris?
Anyone can get it, but children and adolescents have a higher incidence of KP than adults: it’s extremely common in people under 50, and less common in the elderly. KP is more common in women than men, and often occurs in people with a history of asthma or eczema, as mentioned above. There is definitely a genetic factor, as well—if your family members have KP, you’re more likely to have it, too. People with very dry skin are more prone to KP, and shaving or waxing can precipitate KP symptoms in some cases. So, there’s a reasonable chance that you might have KP sometime in your life. But here’s some good news: KP is not contagious! So don’t be afraid of your slightly bumpy friends.
Some people grow out of it almost completely, while others keep a little patch on the backs of the arms or thighs forever. The good news is that even when KP is persistent, it’s usually fairly manageable with consistency and a little restraint; KP is one of those conditions people tend to over-treat, which can make the skin more irritated and less smooth.
How can I make keratosis pilaris go away?
First, a small expectation reset: KP usually improves, but it may not vanish forever. Think of it less like a one-time rash and more like a skin tendency—similar to dry lips or eczema-prone hands. You can keep it much smoother and calmer, but it may return when the weather gets dry, your routine gets harsh, or your skin barrier gets cranky.
Many physicians will prescribe chemical exfoliants like lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and retinoic acid to treat keratosis pilaris. Some will even prescribe steroids. Those ingredients can be helpful because they loosen the dead skin cells and keratin plugs sitting in the follicle. But more is not always better, especially if your skin is sensitive. If a product makes your skin sting, burn, peel, or feel tight and shiny, that’s your skin asking you to back off—not double down.
My take, as a medical doctor with a more holistic approach to chicken skin, is to start with less invasive step. The simple changes below may help you clear up your keratosis pilaris without having to involve a prescription pad.
1) Remove harsh foaming agents.
Get rid of sodium lauryl and laureth sulfate in your hair care, your skincare, and your laundry detergent. Look for them in anything that foams. These ingredients are not always the root cause of KP, but they can be drying or irritating for many people, and dry, irritated skin is a setup for symptoms of keratosis pilaris.
2) Skip synthetic fragrance where you can.
Eliminate synthetic fragrance from all of those products as well, especially if your KP is red, itchy, or easily inflamed. Fragrance is one of the most common categories of skin irritants and allergens, and KP-prone skin is often happier with fewer variables.
3) Avoid super hot showers or baths.
They contribute to dry skin, which makes KP more likely to look and feel rough. Warm is fine. Lobster-hot is not.
4) Add humidity if your air is dry.
Try a humidifier in your bedroom if you live in a dry climate. This is especially helpful in Colorado, where skin has to work harder to hang on to water.
5) Exfoliate gently once or twice a week.
You can do this with a washcloth in the shower, an exfoliating bar soap, or an exfoliating product made with salt or sugar. Remember that you should always use the gentlest pressure when exfoliating skin—it doesn’t take much to achieve the desired effect, and over-exfoliating can create more inflammation. With KP, the goal is to help loosen buildup while keeping the skin barrier calm.
6) Use a moisturizing, handcrafted bar soap.
Switch to a natural, handcrafted bar soap. These bars retain glycerin, which helps draw moisture to your skin throughout the day. They’re not like the average grocery store bar soaps, which can dry out the skin. You can try a soap with pumpkin or tomato for a natural dose of fruit acids and enzymes.
7) Seal in water every day.
Use a natural body oil on sopping wet skin just out of the shower every day. You provide the water by not drying off, and the body oil seals in that moisture as you rub it in with your hands. It contains fewer ingredients, which is always a plus when dealing with irritated skin. This step matters because KP almost always looks worse when the skin is dehydrated—even if the real issue started in the follicle.
8) Wear breathable, non-irritating clothing
Certain fabrics can trap heat and increase irritation, others, like wool, could be irritating to chicken skin. Pay attention to what you're wearing, and whether you notice that certain materials seem to make things worse so you can avoid them!
When should you see a dermatologist?
Most KP does not require a doctor’s visit, but there are a few exceptions. If the bumps are painful, pus-filled, spreading quickly, very itchy, or not behaving like your usual KP, it’s worth getting checked. Folliculitis, eczema, acne, and other rashes can sometimes look similar at first glance, and they may need a different approach. You should also see a dermatologist if you have significant redness or discoloration left behind after the bumps calm down, because certain lasers and prescription options may help with persistent redness or texture.
Keratosis Pilaris: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to get rid of keratosis pilaris?
There is no instant fix for KP, but the fastest path is usually a consistent combination of gentle exfoliation and daily moisture. That means avoiding harsh cleansers, exfoliating lightly once or twice a week, and sealing water into your skin every day with a body oil or moisturizer. If that does not help after several weeks, a dermatologist may recommend ingredients like lactic acid, urea, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or a retinoid.
Is keratosis pilaris contagious?
No. KP is not contagious. You cannot catch it from someone else, and you cannot spread it from one part of your body to another by touching your skin or by sharing a bar of soap.
Is keratosis pilaris a form of acne?
No. KP can look like tiny pimples, but it is not acne. Acne involves pores, oil, bacteria, and inflammation. KP involves keratin buildup in hair follicles, usually with dry or rough skin around the area.
Can exfoliating make keratosis pilaris worse?
Yes, if you overdo it. Scrubbing too hard or using strong acids too often can irritate the skin barrier and make KP look redder and feel rougher. Gentle, consistent exfoliation is much better than aggressive scrubbing.
Does keratosis pilaris go away with age?
Often, yes. KP is most common in children, teens, and young adults, and many people notice that it improves over time. But some people continue to have mild KP into adulthood, especially if they have dry skin, eczema-prone skin, or a strong family history.
If you’ve tried all of these things, and still have symptoms, it may be time to talk to your dermatologist about prescription options, or even laser therapy, which is starting to show some promise in treating the condition. But, with consistent attention to the factors listed above and to an overall healthy lifestyle, most people find that their symptoms improve significantly, and their bumpy skin is a thing of the past. I’ve received multiple emails from customers whose KP has resolved after switching to our soap and body oil. In fact, I get it on the backs of my arms once or twice a year, and our salt scrub and Night Body Oil take care of it within a week!
Move over, chicken skin. Make room for something smoother.
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness, disease, or skin conditions.
Resources:
Thomas M, Khopkar US. Keratosis pilaris revisited: is it more than just a follicular keratosis? Int J Trichology. 2012 Oct;4(4):255-8
Kodali N, Patel VM, Schwartz RA. Keratosis pilaris: an update and approach to management. Ital J Dermatol Venerol. 2023 Jun;158(3):217-223
Pennycook KB, McCready TA. Keratosis Pilaris. 2023 Jun 26. In: StatPearls [Internet]
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/keratosis-pilaris-treatment#causes
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1070651-overview
