Dr. Greene’s Answer: Keratosis pilaris is a common mild
condition in which the backs of the upper arms look rather like
dried out, plucked chicken flesh. Sometimes it is referred to as
KP or follicular keratosis. Keratosis pilaris is hereditary. The
characteristic rash is caused by firm little plugs forming in
the hair follicles. The plugs themselves are made of bits of
keratin, the main protein found in the outermost protective
layer of skin (thus the name keratosis). These plugged follicles
give the skin a raised, stippled appearance — usually called
goosebumps. The bumps are usually skin color or slightly pinker,
and do not itch. The rash is often not noticeable to others,
except on close inspection. Classically, the condition appears
in early childhood, often around the age of two or three. Since
the rash is associated with and worsened by dryness of the skin,
most people experience a clear-cut seasonal variation —
generally worse in the winter. Although the rash changes in
intensity from time to time, th