Monthly Archives: November 2013

Keratosis Pilaris

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Keratosis pilaris are rough, small bumps that appear on a person’s upper arms and thighs. This condition comes from a buildup of the protein known as keratin. When this protein builds up, it plugs the hair follicles. These bumps are the size of a grain of sand and in most cases are not itchy.

If you are wondering whether or not you have keratosis pilaris, it is best to see a doctor. Most of the time the doctor can tell if it is keratosis pilaris just by looking at it, without needing any further tests. It is known that keratosis pilaris can worsen during dry seasons; humidifiers can be used to add moisture to the air. Family history is the first question that you may be asked, as this is a genetic condition and can affect you at any age, but worsens during puberty.

Scarring after having keratosis pilaris Keratosis pilaris is not harmful, so medical treatment is not necessary. However, scarring may occur as a result of this condition, so it is recommended to exfoliate with a mild soap and moisturize skin at least twice a day. Over-the-counter creams and lotions are what most people use to treat this condition. The effectiveness of these creams is very limited. There have been a few cases that it was treated by laser therapy, however research is still being done to find out the best treatment for this condition.

Medication usage on a regular basis can improve the appearance of one’s skin. Even with medical treatment, keratosis pilaris can continue for years.

Scar Types

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Skin is the largest organ of a person’s body. Any type of trauma including burns, injury, and surgery can cause a scar to appear on the skin. Scarring can happen on any part of the person’s body that the trauma occurred. Some scars may be small or in locations that aren’t visible to the public eye. However, some people may have scars that are visible, which bother them. There are treatments that can help improve the appearance of the scar, but you can never make it completely disappear.

Scarring happens when the healing process begins. The depth and the size of the wound are one of the many factors of how big and visible the scar will be. Other factors can be your age, ethnicity, genes, and location of the injury. When it comes to surgical scars, the way the surgeon closes the wound can affect the visibility and size of the scar.

There are different types of scars:

Different forms of scarring

Keloid Scar, Contracture Scar, Hypertrophic Scar, Acne Scar

1. Keloid scar: spreads past the original injury and begins to grow
2. Contracture scars: when you burn your skin
3. Hypertrophic scars: Red scars which are raised
4. Acne scars: forms when people have severe acne. Acne scars can vary, some can be deep and some can even have a little bump.

Acne scars can be treated depending on the size, location, and type of scar. Some scars can be treated by over the counter or prescription creams. Another form of scar treatment is by injections or by surgical removal. In order to find out what the best treatment is for you, it is recommended to see a physician. If you have a scar from surgery it is best to see the surgeon who performed the surgery. If you have acne scars, it is recommended to see a dermatologist.