I have Keratosis Pilaris. It's a hereditary skin condition which causes red bumps to appear on the backs of my arms. It's been the cause of endless questions, stares, and comments over the years, so here are some of the answers that I can provide.
Keratosis Pilaris is caused by an overproduction of keratin that blocks hair follicles and causes bumps, redness, and dry skin. For me, the bumps appear on the backs of my arms and tend to flare up during Fall and Spring when the temperatures are constantly changing.
Keratosis Pilaris is a hereditary condition, which means that it's impossible for you to contract if you touch my arms. That being said, I'm perfectly happy to answer your questions, but please don't begin the conversation by walking up and touching my arms without warning. This was more of a concern to my classmates in elementary and middle school, but it's always worth reminding people.
No, I'm not sunburned. Sometimes the redness will increase after a workout or when I experience extreme changes in temperature. Thankfully, the symptoms of Keratosis Pilaris will decrease much less painfully than a sunburn would.
I am aware that the backs of my arms are splotchy and red, even without reminders and comments. Most of the time, these comments come from a place of concern, and while I appreciate that, I don't need constant reminders of something that I'm already self conscious of. For me, the symptoms are usually the most noticeable when it's time to switch from long sleeves to short sleeves in the early Spring. In high school, this period of time usually fell near Prom season, which made me extra self conscious.
There are limited treatment options for Keratosis Pilaris which include lotions and moisturizers. I tend to shy away from these products until later in Fall, as the side effects of my lotion include an increase in my risk of sunburn. Most of the other remedies include using humidifiers and lots of moisturizers to prevent dry skin, which can worsen the symptoms. Some people say that switching to a gluten free diet can also help to reduce the symptoms of Keratosis Pilaris.
Keratosis Pilaris is pretty common, and it tends to be more present in children and teens than other populations. Some people will grow out of it as adults, and for others it may just become less noticeable. I've met lots of people who lived with the condition for years without knowing the official name. As I said, the condition is hereditary, but it's effects are mostly cosmetic. Keratosis Pilaris is chronic, but research hasn't found it to be life threatening.
I've lived with the condition for years, and I'm always happy to answer questions and spread awareness. It's a part of my body that I've learned to love. Keratosis Pilaris is more common than people realize, and it's not as scary as it looks. I promise.
