Jake Harper
Chicken skin, or keratosis pilaris (KP), is a common, harmless skin condition that causes small bumps to appear on the skin, particularly on the arms, legs, thighs, face, back, and buttocks. While KP is typically a genetic condition, it can also be caused by shaving, folliculitis, or dry skin, which can lead to ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs occur when hair grows back into the skin after shaving, tweezing, or waxing, and they commonly appear on the legs, armpits, and pubic area. While KP and ingrown hairs can both contribute to the appearance of chicken skin, the exact cause of KP is not fully understood and may be related to abnormalities in the hair follicles and the protein keratin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Chicken skin |
| Medical name | Keratosis pilaris (KP) |
| Cause | Excess keratin that surrounds and entraps hair follicles in the pore |
| Appearance | Small, itchy bumps that look like goose bumps or pimples |
| Colour | Red, brown, white or the same colour as the person's skin tone |
| Occurrence | Upper arms, thighs, face, back, buttocks, forearms, hands, tops of legs, cheeks, neck, under eyes |
| Related conditions | Folliculitis, strawberry legs, ingrown hairs |
| Prevention | Good skincare routine, exfoliation, shaving in the direction of hair growth |
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What You'll Learn
Keratosis pilaris (KP) or chicken skin
Keratosis pilaris (KP), also known as "chicken skin", is a common, autosomal-dominant, genetic condition of the skin's hair follicles. KP is characterised by the appearance of possibly itchy, small, gooseflesh-like bumps, with varying degrees of reddening or inflammation. It most often appears on the outer sides of the upper arms, thighs, face, back, buttocks, hands, and tops of legs. KP can occur on any body part except glabrous (hairless) skin, like the palms or soles of the feet.
KP is caused by excess keratin, which is the same colour as the person's natural skin tone, surrounding and entrapping the hair follicles in the pore. This causes the formation of hard plugs, a process known as hyperkeratinization. While the cause of KP is not completely understood, as of 2018, it is thought to be due to abnormalities in the process of depositing the protein keratin in hair follicles, abnormalities in the hair shaft, or both. Several medications can cause a skin eruption similar to KP, including cyclosporine, BRAF inhibitors, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
KP is usually diagnosed by a medical professional based on the appearance of the skin, but dermoscopy can also be used if the diagnosis is unclear. It is a harmless condition that typically doesn't need treatment and usually fades by age 30. Variants of the ABCA12 gene have been associated with KP, and it is the most common disorder of the hair follicle in children.
Ingrown hairs, on the other hand, are a common skin condition that may appear anywhere hair grows on the body. They commonly appear in places where shaving, tweezing, or waxing is frequent, especially the face, legs, armpits, and pubic area. Ingrown hairs occur when a strand of hair grows back into the skin and may be painful or itchy. They can cause small bumps with hairs in the middle, and the skin around the follicle may darken in response to the irritation from shaving, leading to a darkened skin appearance.
While KP and ingrown hairs are separate conditions, they can both contribute to the appearance of "chicken skin" or "strawberry legs". The term "strawberry legs" refers to the dotted or pitted appearance that resembles the skin and seeds of a strawberry. Folliculitis, a condition associated with ingrown hairs, can also lead to the darkened skin appearance associated with strawberry legs. Additionally, KP bumps may contain an ingrown hair that has coiled. Therefore, while KP itself is not caused by ingrown hairs, ingrown hairs can be a contributing factor to the appearance of KP bumps and the development of strawberry legs.
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KP is a common genetic condition
Keratosis pilaris (KP), also known as "chicken skin", is a common, autosomal-dominant, genetic condition of the skin's hair follicles. It is characterised by the appearance of possibly itchy, small, gooseflesh-like bumps, with varying degrees of reddening or inflammation. KP is typically a harmless condition and usually doesn't require treatment, often fading by the age of 30.
KP is caused by excess keratin in the skin, which surrounds and entraps hair follicles in the pore, forming hard plugs. This excess keratin is the same colour as the person's natural skin tone, but KP bumps may also look red, brown, or white. The condition can make the skin feel rough and hard to the touch, resembling tiny pimples or goose bumps.
While the exact cause of KP is not fully understood, it is associated with abnormalities in the deposition of the protein keratin in hair follicles and abnormalities in the hair shaft. Variants of the ABCA12 gene have been linked to KP, indicating a genetic predisposition. KP is the most common hair follicle disorder in children.
KP can occur on any part of the body that has hair follicles, except glabrous (hairless) skin, such as the palms or soles of the feet. It most frequently appears on the outer sides of the upper arms, thighs, face, back, buttocks, hands, and tops of the legs. In some cases, KP may be mistaken for ingrown hairs, which can also cause small bumps on the skin. Ingrown hairs typically occur after shaving, tweezing, or waxing, when the hair grows back into the skin. They are more common in areas where hair removal is practised, such as the face, legs, armpits, and pubic region.
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KP causes small bumps on the skin
Keratosis pilaris (KP), also known as "chicken skin", is a common, autosomal-dominant, genetic condition of the skin's hair follicles. KP causes small bumps on the skin that may look like tiny pimples, goose bumps, or "chicken skin". These bumps are usually painless and can be the same colour as the person's natural skin tone, or they may look red, brown, or white. KP most often appears on the thighs, upper arms, cheeks, neck, back, buttocks, and face, but it can also occur on the hands, tops of legs, sides, or any body part with hair follicles.
The cause of KP is not completely understood, but as of 2018, it is thought to be due to abnormalities in the process of depositing the protein keratin in hair follicles, abnormalities in the hair shaft, or both. The excess keratin surrounds and entraps the hair follicles in the pore, leading to the formation of hard plugs, a process known as hyperkeratinization. Many KP bumps contain an ingrown hair that has coiled. Several medications can also cause a skin eruption similar to KP, including cyclosporine, BRAF inhibitors, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Ingrown hairs are a common skin condition that may appear anywhere hair grows on the body but commonly appear in places where hair is removed, such as through shaving, tweezing, or waxing. They frequently appear on the face, legs, armpits, and pubic area. Ingrown hairs can cause small bumps with hairs in the middle, and they may be painful or itchy. In some cases, they can lead to skin irritation and discoloration (red, brown, or purple). If an ingrown hair becomes infected, the bumps may get bigger and more painful, and pustules may occur when pus forms around the follicles. This infection can lead to scarring.
Folliculitis is another skin condition that may be related to ingrown hairs. It can cause a dotted or pitted appearance on the legs, known as "strawberry legs". This condition may be due to shaving, having overly dry skin, or irritation from shaving that darkens the skin. While KP and ingrown hairs can occur simultaneously, KP is a separate condition that is typically identified by a medical professional based on the appearance of the skin.
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Ingrown hairs are a common skin condition
People with skin of colour or thick, coarse, or curly hair are more likely to experience ingrown hairs. Additionally, shaving against the direction of hair growth can make it easier for strands to become trapped under the skin. This can lead to skin irritation, such as small bumps with hairs in the middle, known as papules, and discoloration. If left untreated, ingrown hairs can become infected, resulting in larger, painful bumps with pus around the follicles, a condition called pustules.
Ingrown hairs can be prevented by maintaining a good skincare routine, including exfoliating once or twice a week and shaving in the direction of hair growth. Moisturizing can also help alleviate and prevent the symptoms of ingrown hairs by reducing dry skin. In some cases, ingrown hairs may be removed through at-home treatments or the use of an epilator, a handheld electrical tool that removes hair by the root.
While ingrown hairs can occur anywhere on the body, they are particularly associated with a condition known as "strawberry legs." This term describes the dotted or pitted appearance of the legs that resembles the skin and seeds of a strawberry. Folliculitis, a condition related to ingrown hairs, can contribute to the darkened skin appearance characteristic of strawberry legs. Additionally, keratosis pilaris, a common condition that causes small, bumpy, goose bump-like skin, is sometimes linked to ingrown hairs. It is often referred to as "chicken skin" and usually appears on the thighs, upper arms, and other areas with hair follicles.
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Folliculitis and shaving can cause strawberry legs
Keratosis pilaris, also known as "chicken skin", is a common skin condition that causes small, itchy bumps that resemble goosebumps. While keratosis pilaris can occur on the thighs, it is usually not the cause of "strawberry legs".
Strawberry legs are characterised by darkened pores or small dark spots that resemble the skin and seeds of a strawberry. This condition is often caused by shaving, which can irritate the skin and lead to razor bumps and burns. Shaving can also damage the hair follicle, allowing bacteria and dirt to enter and cause an infection known as folliculitis. Folliculitis can also be caused by waxing, wearing tight clothing, or rubbing the skin, such as during a workout or after sitting in a hot tub.
Folliculitis is characterised by tiny red bumps that can darken and create the appearance of strawberry legs. In some cases, folliculitis can be related to ingrown hairs that are struggling to break through the skin. This can lead to the darkened skin appearance associated with strawberry legs, especially in individuals with thick body hair.
To prevent strawberry legs, it is recommended to use a gentle moisturiser after shaving or waxing to lock in moisture and reduce skin irritation. It is also suggested to use an epilator, an electrical device that removes hair by the root, as it can help avoid traumatising the skin and prevent folliculitis. Additionally, dry brushing, using a body scrub, or exfoliating with a glove can help loosen oil and dirt from the pores and soften the skin.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken skin, or keratosis pilaris (KP), is a common, autosomal-dominant, genetic condition of the skin's hair follicles. It is characterised by small, itchy bumps that look like goose bumps or pimples and can vary in colour from red to brown, white, or the same colour as one's skin tone.
Ingrown hairs can cause folliculitis, which can lead to the darkened skin appearance associated with strawberry legs. Many KP bumps contain an ingrown hair that has coiled, so it is possible that ingrown hairs can cause chicken skin. However, the cause of KP is not completely understood.
To prevent ingrown hairs, you can change your shaving habits by shaving in the direction of your hair's natural growth and exfoliating once or twice a week. You can also try dry brushing or use an epilator, a handheld electrical tool that removes hair by the root. To treat KP, you can try to keep your skin moisturised, as dry skin can cause a skin eruption similar to KP.
