eMedicine Specialties > Pediatrics: General Medicine > Dermatology

Keratosis Pilaris: Multimedia

Author: Mark A Crowe, MD, Assistant Clinical Instructor, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine
Coauthor(s): Steven J Escobar, MD, Fellow, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Naval Medical Center, San Diego
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 12, 2009

Multimedia

Although other sites may be involved, keratosis p...
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Media file 1: Although other sites may be involved, keratosis pilaris is most common on the lateral upper arms and upper thighs.
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Although other sites may be involved, keratosis p...

Although other sites may be involved, keratosis pilaris is most common on the lateral upper arms and upper thighs.

Upon closer examination of keratosis pilaris, the...
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Media file 2: Upon closer examination of keratosis pilaris, the lesions are very evenly spaced. This even distribution is consistent with the follicular origin of this disorder.
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Upon closer examination of keratosis pilaris, the...

Upon closer examination of keratosis pilaris, the lesions are very evenly spaced. This even distribution is consistent with the follicular origin of this disorder.

Close examination of keratosis pilaris shows kera...
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Media file 3: Close examination of keratosis pilaris shows keratotic papules associated with hair follicles. Keratinocytes normally shed from the surrounding skin become dust on the floor. Keratinocytes at the follicular orifice are retained, producing these papules.
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Close examination of keratosis pilaris shows kera...

Close examination of keratosis pilaris shows keratotic papules associated with hair follicles. Keratinocytes normally shed from the surrounding skin become dust on the floor. Keratinocytes at the follicular orifice are retained, producing these papules.

Bacteria associated with the follicular papules o...
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Media file 4: Bacteria associated with the follicular papules of keratosis pilaris may cause some lesions to become erythematous or pustular.
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Bacteria associated with the follicular papules o...

Bacteria associated with the follicular papules of keratosis pilaris may cause some lesions to become erythematous or pustular.

This patient has lichen nitidus. Lichen nitidus i...
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Media file 5: This patient has lichen nitidus. Lichen nitidus is a differential diagnosis for keratosis pilaris. The papules of lichen nitidus tend to be flatter, and lesions develop in crops. Etiology of lichen nitidus is unknown.
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This patient has lichen nitidus. Lichen nitidus i...

This patient has lichen nitidus. Lichen nitidus is a differential diagnosis for keratosis pilaris. The papules of lichen nitidus tend to be flatter, and lesions develop in crops. Etiology of lichen nitidus is unknown.

Lichen nitidus also shows the property of koebner...
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Media file 6: Lichen nitidus also shows the property of koebnerization. Keratosis pilaris does not koebnerize.
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Lichen nitidus also shows the property of koebner...

Lichen nitidus also shows the property of koebnerization. Keratosis pilaris does not koebnerize.

Disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis...
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Media file 7: Disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis is an uncommon slightly pruritic papular follicular eruption that affects the neck, face, trunk, and proximal extremities. It is a differential diagnosis for keratosis pilaris and occurs almost exclusively in blacks. The cause is unknown, and treatment has been totally unsuccessful. Disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis differs from keratosis pilaris in distribution and is less keratotic.
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Disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis...

Disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis is an uncommon slightly pruritic papular follicular eruption that affects the neck, face, trunk, and proximal extremities. It is a differential diagnosis for keratosis pilaris and occurs almost exclusively in blacks. The cause is unknown, and treatment has been totally unsuccessful. Disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis differs from keratosis pilaris in distribution and is less keratotic.

More on Keratosis Pilaris

Overview: Keratosis Pilaris
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Keratosis Pilaris
Treatment & Medication: Keratosis Pilaris
Follow-up: Keratosis Pilaris
Multimedia: Keratosis Pilaris
References
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References

  1. Hwang S, Schwartz RA. Keratosis pilaris: a common follicular hyperkeratosis. Cutis. Sep 2008;82(3):177-80. [Medline].

  2. Poskitt L, Wilkinson JD. Natural history of keratosis pilaris. Br J Dermatol. Jun 1994;130(6):711-3. [Medline].

  3. Marqueling AL, Gilliam AE, Prendiville J, Zvulunov A, Antaya RJ, Sugarman J. Keratosis pilaris rubra: a common but underrecognized condition. Arch Dermatol. Dec 2006;142(12):1611-6. [Medline].

  4. Sallakachart P, Nakjang Y. Keratosis pilaris: a clinico-histopathologic study. J Med Assoc Thai. Jul 1987;70(7):386-9. [Medline].

  5. Novick NL. Practical management of widespread, atypical keratosis pilaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. Aug 1984;11(2 Pt 1):305-6. [Medline].

  6. Mevorah B, Marazzi A, Frenk E. The prevalence of accentuated palmoplantar markings and keratosis pilaris in atopic dermatitis, autosomal dominant ichthyosis and control dermatological patients. Br J Dermatol. Jun 1985;112(6):679-85. [Medline].

  7. Barth JH, Wojnarowska F, Dawber RP. Is keratosis pilaris another androgen-dependent dermatosis?. Clin Exp Dermatol. Jul 1988;13(4):240-1. [Medline].

  8. Callaway SR, Lesher JL. Keratosis pilaris atrophicans: case series and review. Pediatr Dermatol. Jan-Feb 2004;21(1):14-7. [Medline].

  9. Clark SM, Mills CM, Lanigan SW. Treatment of keratosis pilaris atrophicans with the pulsed tunable dye laser. J Cutan Laser Ther. Sep 2000;2(3):151-6. [Medline].

  10. Di Lernia V, Ricci C. Folliculitis spinulosa decalvans: an uncommon entity within the keratosis pilaris atrophicans spectrum. Pediatr Dermatol. May-Jun 2006;23(3):255-8. [Medline].

  11. Dogra S, Kumar B. Epidemiology of skin diseases in school children: a study from northern India. Pediatr Dermatol. Nov-Dec 2003;20(6):470-3. [Medline].

  12. Ehsani A, Namazi MR, Barikbin B, Nazemi MJ. Unilaterally generalized keratosis pilaris. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. May 2003;17(3):361-2. [Medline].

  13. Gerbig AW. Treating keratosis pilaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. Sep 2002;47(3):457. [Medline].

  14. Jackson JB, Touma SC, Norton AB. Keratosis pilaris in pregnancy: an unrecognized dematosis of pregnancy?. W V Med J. Jan-Feb 2004;100(1):26-8. [Medline].

  15. Lateef A, Schwartz RA. Keratosis pilaris. Cutis. Apr 1999;63(4):205-7. [Medline].

  16. Owen WR, Wood C. Disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis. Arch Dermatol. Feb 1979;115(2):174-5. [Medline].

  17. Ravikumar BC, Balachandran C, Shenoi SD, et al. Disseminate and recurrent infundibulofolliculitis: response to psoralen plus UVA therapy. Int J Dermatol. Jan 1999;38(1):75-6. [Medline].

  18. Rook A, Wilkinson DS, Ebling FJG, et al. Disorders of keratinization. In: Textbook of Dermatology. Oxford, England: Blackwell Publishers; 1986:1435-6.

  19. Zouboulis CC, Stratakis CA, Gollnick HP, Orfanos CE. Keratosis pilaris/ulerythema ophryogenes and 18p deletion: is it possiblethat the LAMA1 gene is involved?. J Med Genet. Feb 2001;38(2):127-8. [Medline]. [Full Text].

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Further Reading

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Keywords

keratosis pilaris alba, keratosis pilaris rubra, goose bumps, hair follicle, keratinized hair follicles, keratotic papule, perifollicular erythema, ichthyosis vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, hyperandrogenism, erythematous papules, corneocyte adhesion, hyperkeratosis, hypogranulosis

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Mark A Crowe, MD, Assistant Clinical Instructor, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine
Mark A Crowe, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and North American Clinical Dermatologic Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Steven J Escobar, MD, Fellow, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Naval Medical Center, San Diego
Steven J Escobar, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Kevin P Connelly, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics and Emergency Care, Virginia Commonwealth University; Medical Director, Paws for Health Pet Visitation Program of the Richmond SPCA; Pediatric Emergency Physician, Emergency Consultants Inc, Chippenham Medical Center
Kevin P Connelly, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from financial planner; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from financial planner ; WebMD Salary and stock Employment and investment from financial planner

Managing Editor

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Merrily P M Poth, MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Merrily P M Poth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Endocrine Society, and Lawson-Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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