Keratosis pilaris Part 1: Why do I have "chicken bumps" on my arms?

Chicken bumps, gooseflesh, chicken skin, or permanent goosebumps? Well, that sure sounds attractive. Personally, I suffer from the unsightly red bumps on my upper arms too, as do more than 40% of adults. These bumps, and my inability to treat them, is part of what drove to me to become a medical aesthetician. On my first day of class, I raised my hand to ask what they were. "Keratosis pilaris" is the proper medical term used to describe the condition that so many people suffer from. In the interest of medical aesthetics, I refuse to refer to them as "Chicken bumps" or "gooseflesh" any longer. So what exactly is KP and what causes it? KP is a benign (harmless) and genetic (runs in families 80% of the time) skin condition in which protein (keratin) in the skin forms hard plugs around the hair follicles. While KP is an extremely common disorder, there is not much research dedicated to the cause or treatment of this condition. All we seem to know is that some people produce an excessive amount of the keratin protein (called hyperkeratinization) and that the symptoms seem to flare up in winter and improve in summer. Your dermatologist or medical aesthetician can usually recognize the symptoms of KP, and further tests are not necessary. While KP is benign, it is a condition that is often cosmetically bothersome. If that is the case for you, come in to see me and we can discuss a treatment plan to manage your symptoms. At Chicago Skin Solutions, CONSULTATIONS ARE ALWAYS FREE! Call 312-770-7546 to schedule one today!