Keratosis Pilaris (Chicken Skin)
Rough, tiny bumps on the backs of the arms and thighs, like permanent goosebumps. Harmless, extremely common, and usually fades with age.
Quick answer: Keratosis pilaris (“chicken skin”) is a harmless skin condition where keratin plugs hair follicles, making small rough bumps, mostly on the upper arms and thighs. It affects about half or more of teenagers and many adults, runs in families and is linked to eczema. There’s no cure, but regular moisturising with urea or salicylic acid creams makes skin smoother. It often improves with age.
How common. Very. Estimates suggest 50% to 80% of adolescents and about 40% of adults have it, and it’s under-reported.
Causes. Keratin, a skin protein, builds up and plugs hair follicles. It often runs in families and is more common with eczema, ichthyosis (very dry, scaly skin), diabetes and obesity. It isn’t infectious and isn’t caused by poor hygiene.
Symptoms.
- tiny (1 to 2 mm) rough bumps, like sandpaper
- mainly on the outer upper arms and fronts of the thighs; sometimes cheeks, buttocks or back
- red or pink on pale skin, brown or darker on deeper skin tones
- sometimes itchy; usually worse in winter when skin is dry
How it’s diagnosed. By looking. No tests needed.
Treatment
Treatment is optional. It smooths the skin while you use it, but bumps come back when you stop.
- Step 1 · Self-careMoisturise dailyA thick, fragrance-free moisturiser after showering, and soap-free wash instead of soap.
- Works
- Softens the skin and makes bumps less rough
- Access
- Cheap, supermarket or pharmacy
- Watch for
- Hot, long showers dry skin out and can make it worse.
- Step 2 · PharmacyUrea or salicylic acid creamsProducts with urea (around 10% to 20%) or salicylic acid help loosen keratin plugs.
- Works
- Can noticeably smooth skin texture with regular use
- Access
- Over the counter
- Watch for
- Can sting, especially on broken or inflamed skin. Use salicylic acid with care in young children and over large areas.
- Step 3 · Self-careGentle exfoliationA soft washcloth or mild scrub a couple of times a week.
- Works
- Helps some people
- Access
- Free
- Watch for
- Harsh scrubbing or picking makes redness and marks worse.
- Step 4 · PrescriptionTopical retinoids or a short course of steroid creamRetinoids for roughness; a moderate-strength steroid cream for a few days if very red and itchy.
- Works
- Evidence is limited (small studies and case reports)
- Access
- GP prescription
- Watch for
- Retinoids can irritate and aren’t for pregnancy; steroids can thin skin if overused.
- Step 5 · SpecialistLaser or light treatmentsFor persistent redness.
- Works
- Only small studies; results vary
- Access
- Private dermatology
- Watch for
- Cost; risk of skin colour change, especially on darker skin.
Save your money
Popular, heavily marketed or often asked about, but the evidence is weak or says no.
- Gluten-free or dairy-free diets for KPNo good evidence that diet changes cause or cure keratosis pilaris.
- Expensive “KP kits” and body scrubsOften urea or salicylic acid in fancy packaging. Pharmacy versions work the same.
Living with it
- Moisturise straight after showering, while skin is still damp.
- Use lukewarm water and a soap-free wash.
- Don’t pick or squeeze the bumps.
- Expect it to look better in summer and worse in winter.
See your GP if
- You’re not sure it’s keratosis pilaris
- The bumps are very red, sore or spreading
- It affects your face or eyebrows, with hair loss
- It’s bothering you a lot despite regular moisturising
Get urgent help if a bumpy rash comes with fever, feeling very unwell, rapidly spreading redness, or blisters. That isn’t keratosis pilaris. Call 000 (Australia) or your local emergency number if you’re seriously unwell.
Outlook. Keratosis pilaris is harmless. It’s most noticeable in the teens. In one long-term study, about a third improved over time, many stayed the same, and around 1 in 5 got worse.
Common questions
What causes keratosis pilaris?
Keratin builds up in hair follicles and plugs them. It runs in families and is more common with eczema and very dry skin.
Does keratosis pilaris go away?
It often improves in adulthood, but can persist. It also tends to get better in summer and worse in winter.
What is the best treatment for chicken skin?
Daily moisturising plus a cream containing urea or salicylic acid helps most people smooth their skin.
Is keratosis pilaris contagious?
No. You can’t catch it or spread it.
Should I scrub keratosis pilaris?
Gently, if at all. Harsh scrubbing and picking can make it redder and leave marks.
Evidence and more information
maladywise.com/keratosis-pilaris/