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Are Those Pimples or Keratosis Pilaris?

Katya Sobol

Are those itchy pimples or is it Keratosis Pilaris? A skin condition affecting people of all ages often goes incorrectly diagnosed by the holder of this chronic skin disorder. But do not fret this disorder is harmless! If you know the signs, you’ll know how to treat it and rid yourself of those annoying bumps!

chicken feet

What is Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis Pilaris is a chronic skin condition, but with the proper treatment will make the skin appear clearer. Keratosis Pilaris from its Greek roots, Keras meaning horn, and osis meaning An abnormal state, and Pilaris coming from the Latin word Pilus meaning Hair, describes our new-found skin condition very well; Its main characteristics are rough bumps over the skin.

 

What does it look like?

Keratosis Pilaris, or as some have nicknamed it, is called Chicken Feet. Visually Chicken Feet is very similar to pimples, often showing up as red or white pumps. A good way to tell the difference is that pimples are often more widespread, and are painful, Keratosis Pilaris show up in patches and are more often itchy than they are painful.

Why does it manifest?

Keratosis Pilaris manifests from an overabundance of keratin – the protein that helps your nails and hair grow – creating a clogged hair follicle! You would be in the right to compare them to pimples, but the treatments are, in minor ways, different and if treated improperly will not give you the results you seek. A subdermal difference is that pimples are caused by enlarged sebaceous glands causing an increased amount of sebum, and Chickens Feet is a cluster of clogged hair follicles.

keratosis pilaris legs

Where does it manifest?

Keratosis Pilaris is a skin condition that is thankfully predictable in where it appears because it affects specific areas of the body: upper arms, thighs, cheeks, or buttocks. While Pimples can grow everywhere, typically Chickens Feet is found in those areas of the body. Ironically, where most people do not grow thick amounts of hair.

keratosis pilaris food

How do I make it go away?

Although, Keratosis Pilaris is chronic there are many treatments that will help sooth your clogged hair follicles. Heavy lotions made with: lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and urea, are often prescribed to people who have Keratosis Pilaris. However, other remedies are as simple as using a humidifier, eating anti-inflammatory foods (Ginger, oily fish, broccoli, and dark chocolate!) being soft with your skin, avoiding exfoliants, and definitely avoiding hot baths and showers.

A Summary:

Keratosis Pilaris is not the end of the world, we are all beautiful in our own special ways, and a skin condition does not define you. If you really feel like you would love yourself better without Keratosis Pilaris, “You go, Girl!” (Or boy, or whatever you identify with) treat your condition as best you can, with persistence, your Chicken Feet will cross the road.

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