The different forms of keratosis pilaris are:
Keratosis Pilaris "simple"
In keratosis pilaris simple the skin contains small hard cones, grayish. The cutting of the hair done by clothes leaves often black spots. Their number is often important to a granite skin and feel rough to the touch.
These lesions are mainly on the external surface of the arm, sometimes on the outer thighs, buttocks or face.
Other locations are also possible.
Diffuse forms exist.
The skin is usually dry.
There is no discomfort or itching.
Girls are more often (61%) affected by keratosis pilaris simple than boys (39%). The onset often occurs in early childhood and reaches a peak in adolescence.
There is a worsening in winter (friction due to clothing and dry skin) and an improvement in the summer half of the cases due to the sun healing properties.
An improvement, in a couple of years, is possible in nearly one third of cases, but keratosis pilaris may also worsen.
Over time small puncture scars are left as marks.
It is not unusual for an inflammation of the pores to appear; this may wrongly suggest a folliculitis (buttocks) or an acne. Do not confuse them.
Keratosis Pilaris cicatricial evolution
Keratosis Pilaris cicatricial evolution is a simple keratosis pilaris rash associated with inflammation, followed by the appearance of tiny scars.
Keratosis pilaris rubra
In Keratosis pilaris rubra the cheeks are red continuously.
The elements of keratosis pilaris rubra are red.
They often transform in discreetly scarring in adulthood.
Keratosis pilaris rubra can be found in several genetic diseases.
Atrophodermia is an evolutionary phase. Around each hair hole, there is a small depression. This may be on the face, tops of hands, cheeks... The cause of this is unknown.
Keratosis Pilaris alba
Keratosis Pilaris alba can develope when one comes in contact with hydrocarbons (tars, oils, gasoline, etc.).
It appears on the backs of hands, forearms on leg (pants soaked in oil), neck, face . Occasionally, special cosmetics may be the cause.
Eating disorders, in particular a deficit in vitamin A or C may be responsible for keratosis pilaris.
In case of deficiency in vitamin C, keratosis pilaris elective appears on the lower limbs.
Among subjects deficient in vitamin A, the lesions are located on the members extension side.
Do not confuse Keratosis Pilaris with :
- Folliculitis of the buttocks.
- ... in a grainy appearance of the skin, there are painful and pustular folliculitis.
- Acne.
- ... in adolescents, acne affects mainly the mid-facial part of the cheeks.
- Sometimes, certain skin diseases predominate around the hair follicles, such as ichthyosis, lichen nitidus, lichen spinulosum.
- Darier's disease.
- The pityriasis rubra pilaris.
- Psoriasis.
- Eczema.
