What Triggers Keratosis Pilaris?

There are no specific triggers for keratosis pilaris, (tiny harmless skin bumps). Family history, eczema, and other skin conditions may be risk factors for this condition.

Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition in which tiny bumps appear 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.

The following are signs and symptoms of keratosis pilaris:

1. Tiny, rough-feeling bumps on the skin
2. May look like goosebumps or a plucked chicken
3. May resemble small pimples
4. May be grouped or scattered
5. Usually occurs in children and adolescents, and sometimes infants
6. Tends to appear on the upper arms, front of the thighs, and cheeks
7. May sometimes occur on the face, trunk, buttocks, and lower legs or forearms
8. May clear during the summer and recur in winter
9. May worsen during pregnancy
10. Usually improves with age but may persist into adulthood
11. 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)
12. Itching
13. Dryness
14. Skin redness

Keratosis pilaris is often associated with other skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis or ichthyosis vulgaris.

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 and there does not seem to be any specific trigger. 

Risk factors for developing keratosis pilaris include the following:

• 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