Acne, eczema, dry skin, dermatitis, just when you thought you'd heard it all there's a new one, keratosis pilaris. But to be honest, keratosis pilaris isn't new. It's actually a very common skin condition that has been known to affect up to 40% of all adults around the globe. So, why do you know so little about it?

Well, probably because there isn't much known about this genetic condition. Some doctors argument that the cause of Keratosis pilaris is the overproduction of keratin inside the skin. This excess gets trapped inside the follicle, developing a bump. However, other specialists believe that it is a disorder of keratinisation wherein the sticky cells that line the hair follicle form a horny plug that widens the pores making them more noticeable.

Keratosis pilaris (KP) - What does it look like?

Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a benign condition which is known to generate large amounts of small, red, and rough bumps that are found around hair follicles, and located on the upper arms, legs, buttocks, and cheeks. KP is oftentimes referred to as "chicken skin," "goose bumps," or "gooseflesh,".

KP is formed when skin cells that normally flake off as a fine dust begin to form plugs in the hair follicles making them appear as small bumps that have a dry ''sandpaper-like'' feel. These bumps are commonly white, but whenever they are inflamed they appear red. Keratosis pilaris is a benign skin condition and does not usually itch or cause any pain, except in extreme temperature changes.

This condition is particularly common among teenagers, but has also been seen in infants. In order to keep them from suffering from this condition they should be treated with a gentile and natural skin treatment cream.

Types of Keratosis pilaris - there is more than one

*Keratosis rubra faceii: This type of KP manifests as a constant and unrelenting reddish rash on the cheeks giving your face a blushed look. When your cheeks are affected with keratosis pilaris the affected area will not only be a crimson red color but it will also feel coarse. The typical "reddish" aspect of this type of facial keratosis pilaris gives it the medical name of Keratosis Pilaris rubra faceii. *Keratosis pilaris alba: Keratosis pilaris alba is named such because of the rough, white, bumpy skin that is typical of this condition. Although clogged pores seem to be a problem, this is not a serious consequence of this condition. KP often appears as a spread of very small hard bumps that do not produce soreness or itching. *Hyperkeratinization: Hyperkeratinization is a disorder of the cells lining the inside of a hair follicle. The excess keratin results in an increased adherence of dead skin cells which block the hair follicle and lead to KP or acne.