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Follicular keratosis causes
Keratosis symptoms
Follicular keratosis treatment
Follicular keratosis is a benign skin condition common in children and adults, familiar to many by rashes in the form of small tubercles, often white.
Allergy sufferers are used to diagnosing any pimple found on the body as a manifestation of an allergic reaction. However, in most cases, acne and redness are not caused by allergies at all.
So keratosis has nothing to do with allergies and appears as a result of a genetic predisposition.
Follicular keratosis can be found on the cheeks, shoulders, thighs, and buttocks. Bumps – Nodules can be white, beige, pink, or red.
Keratosis is observed in almost every child, less often in adolescents and even less often in adults, mainly in women. All over the world, keratosis is considered the norm and does not require treatment. The rash appears in children in the first 10 years and can get worse during puberty.
Follicular keratosis causes
The accumulation of keratin, a protein that protects the skin from infections, is the main cause of keratosis. Excessive amounts of keratin form a plug in the lumen of the hair follicle. A bump appears at the site of the cork – a pimple.
Why this happens is still unknown. Scientists have found only a hereditary pattern. If the parents have keratosis, then, with a high probability, children will also have it.
For many, rashes go away with age, but sometimes they continue throughout their lives.
People with atopic dermatitis, simple ichthyosis, xerosis, and diabetes mellitus are especially susceptible to follicular keratosis.
But follicular keratosis is never a manifestation of food allergy, even if it is accompanied by atopy.
Follicular keratosis symptoms
- Painless tiny nodules usually located on the outer skin of the shoulders, thighs, cheeks, and buttocks;
- Dry, lumpy sandpaper or goose bumps where nodules accumulate;
- Seasonal worsening during cold seasons (periods of low humidity).
Follicular keratosis treatment
The diagnosis of Follicular keratosis is made by a dermatologist after examining the patient. There is no need for additional examination.
The rash does not require any specific treatment. Keratosis does not pose any threat to the skin, but its manifestations are very unattractive and you would rather want to eliminate them.
Usually, to improve the appearance of the skin, doctors recommend the daily use of moisturizers – emollients.
When moisture is insufficient, a dermatologist may prescribe exfoliating and emollient creams that contain alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), lactic acid, salicylic acid, and urea.
In severe cases, the doctor will prescribe retinoids (preparations of the vitamin A group). But it is important to remember that they often lead to severe redness, burning sensation and skin irritation.