Can you prevent keratosis pilaris?
Keratosis pilaris isn’t preventable, but some people who have it as children will find that it goes away when they are older. Others deal with it for their entire lives.
“But there may be periods of your life where it’s so quiet that the bumps are so small and not visible that it’s almost not there,” Dr. Lipner said.
When should I see a dermatologist?
If your skin is still bumpy and rough after using at-home products for a few months and you’re bothered by how it looks, Dr. Lipner suggested seeing a dermatologist.
“There are people with very severe keratosis pilaris, and moisturization may not be enough,” she said. They may also have flare-ups that are extra red and dry and perhaps even itchy. In those cases, Dr. Lipner said, doctors can prescribe a topical retinoid or suggest laser therapy.
But your symptoms might also be from something else. Eczema and psoriasis can resemble keratosis pilaris, Dr. Lipner said. These conditions can cause itchiness, inflammation, cracks in the skin or infections, and need their own specific treatments.