Print DiagnosisYour health care provider will likely be able to diagnose keratosis pilaris just by looking at the affected skin. No testing is needed. TreatmentKeratosis pilaris usually clears up on its own with time. In the meantime, you might use one of the many products available to help improve how the skin looks. If moisturizing and other self-care measures don't help, your health care provider may prescribe medicated creams. Creams to remove dead skin cells. Creams containing alpha hydroxy acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid or urea help loosen and remove dead skin cells. They also moisturize and soften dry skin. These creams are called topical exfoliants. Depending on their strengths, they are available with a prescription or as a nonprescription products. Your health care provider can advise you on the best option and how often to apply. The acids in these creams may cause inflamed skin or stinging, so they aren't recommended for young children. Creams to prevent plugged follicles. Creams derived from vitamin A are called topical retinoids. They work by promoting cell turnover and preventing plugged hair follicles. Tretinoin (Altreno, Avita, Renova, Retin-A, others) and tazarotene (Arazlo, Avage, Tazorac, others) are examples of topical retinoids. These products can irritate and dry the skin. Also, if you're pregnant or nursing, your health care provider may suggest delaying topical retinoid therapy or choosing another treatment. Using medicated cream regularly may improve how the skin looks. But if you stop, the condition returns. And even with treatment, keratosis pilaris might last for years. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. 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Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Lifestyle and home remediesSelf-help measures won't prevent keratosis pilaris or make it go away. But they may improve how the affected skin looks. When using a product new to you, test it on one area of affected skin first, such as an arm. If it seems to work and doesn't cause a reaction, use it for your keratosis pilaris. Use warm water and limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from the skin. Limit bath or shower time to about 10 minutes or less. Use warm, not hot, water. Be gentle to the skin. Avoid harsh, drying soaps. Gently remove dead skin with a washcloth or loofah. Vigorous scrubbing or removal of hair follicle plugs may irritate the skin and worsen the condition. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot the skin with a towel so that some moisture remains. Try medicated creams. Apply a nonprescription cream that contains urea, lactic acid, alpha hydroxy acid or salicylic acid. These creams help loosen and remove dead skin cells. They also moisturize and soften dry skin. Put on this product before moisturizer. Moisturize. While the skin is still moist from bathing, apply a moisturizer that contains lanolin, petroleum jelly or glycerin. These ingredients soothe dry skin and help trap moisture. Thicker moisturizers work best. Examples are Eucerin and Cetaphil. Reapply the product to the affected skin several times a day. Use a humidifier. Low humidity dries out the skin. A portable home humidifier or one attached to your furnace will add moisture to the air inside your home. Avoid friction from tight clothes. Protect affected skin from the friction caused by wearing tight clothes. Preparing for your appointmentYou're likely to start by seeing your health care provider. Or you may be referred to a specialist in skin diseases (dermatologist). You may want to prepare a list of questions to ask your health care provider. For keratosis pilaris, some basic questions include: What is likely causing the symptoms? What are other possible causes for the symptoms? Is this condition likely short lived, or will it last a long time? What is the best course of action? What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting? Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing? What to expect from your doctorYour health care provider is likely to ask you several questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to discuss more. Your health care provider may ask: When did the symptoms begin? Have the symptoms been steady or spotty? What, if anything, seems to improve the symptoms? What, if anything, appears to worsen the symptoms? Do other family members have similar skin changes? Do you or your child have a history of asthma or hay fever or other allergies? Do you or your child have a history of eczema? By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Symptoms & causes Oct. 23, 2024 Print Show references AskMayoExpert. Keratosis pilaris. Mayo Clinic; 2022. Keratosis pilaris. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/keratosis_pilaris.html. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020. Keratosis pilaris. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/cornification-disorders/keratosis-pilaris. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020. Keratosis pilaris. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/keratosis-pilaris-overview. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020. Dermatologists' top 10 tips for relieving dry skin. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/health-and-beauty/general-skin-care/dry-skin-tips. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry