What is the medical name for strawberry skin?

What does keratosis pilaris mean?

Keratosis means scaly skin, and pilaris refers to hair. Keratosis pilaris happens when keratin, a protein found in skin, hair and nails, builds up inside hair follicles instead of shedding normally. A follicle is the opening where a hair grows. The buildup forms small, hard plugs that feel rough rather than smooth.1234

Other names include follicular keratosis and follicular hyperkeratosis. Keratosis pilaris also goes by KP and chicken skin, so the naming department has covered both initials and poultry.2

What does keratosis pilaris look and feel like?

Typical bumps are tiny, painless and rough, sometimes with a sandpaper feel. They usually appear in patches on the upper arms, thighs or bottom; children can also have them on their cheeks. Bumps can match your skin colour, look red on white skin, or look darker on brown or black skin. The surrounding skin can be dry or itchy.145

Keratosis pilaris can affect any age, although it often starts in childhood and becomes more obvious during the teenage years. It tends to run in families and is more common with very dry skin or eczema. It is harmless and not contagious. Dryness makes the bumps more noticeable, so they often worsen in winter and improve in summer.235

What can you do about the bumps?

You can leave keratosis pilaris untreated if it does not bother you. Treatment can ease dryness and itching and make the bumps less noticeable. Moisturising is a useful starting point because dry skin makes the texture stand out.5

1. 1Wash with a mild, unperfumed cleanser and lukewarm water. Avoid hot showers and harsh scrubbing.
2. 2Apply moisturiser while your skin is still damp after showering. Use it daily; you can apply it several times a day for dryness.
3. 3If ordinary moisturiser is not helping, ask a pharmacist about a cream containing urea, lactic acid or salicylic acid. These ingredients can moisturise or help loosen the plugs.
4. 4If you exfoliate, use gentle circular movements with a washcloth rather than scrubbing hard. Do not pick or scratch the bumps.

How long does improvement take?

Improvement often takes months, and bumps are likely to return when treatment stops. There is no cure, although keratosis pilaris can fade with age. Treatment aims to manage the texture, not arrange a permanent eviction for every bump. Avoid overusing medicated creams, because they can irritate skin.123

When should you get the bumps checked?

See a clinician if the bumps are painful, remain bothersome despite moisturising, or you are unsure what they are. Speak to a pharmacist if the skin becomes itchy or inflamed. Keratosis pilaris is usually diagnosed by examining the skin, without tests. Other conditions, including folliculitis, can resemble it, so the nickname is not enough to choose a treatment.1234

Is a strawberry mark the same thing?

No. A strawberry mark is a haemangioma: blood vessels forming a raised red lump that appears soon after birth. It is different from patches of rough follicular bumps. Have a birthmark checked if it is sore, changing, or close to the eye, nose or mouth. Strawberry marks that affect vision, breathing or feeding can need treatment.7