#146. Bệnh nổi...da gà (Keratosis Pilaris or Chicken Skin)

Chicken skin (Keratosis Pilaris = KP) is a fairly common skin condition in teenagers. These keratosis pilaris (small, bumpy, chicken skin-like growths) usually appear on the arms, thighs, or buttocks. These growths are not itchy or painful, but are rough like sandpaper and can last for months or even years. The growths are more frequent in winter, when the skin dries out. These growths are not easy to treat and often bother patients when wearing sleeveless clothing. Although these growths are harmless, their appearance and rough skin can cause many patients to lose confidence. This condition affects 80% of teenagers (1). The good news is that most of these growths usually disappear by the time patients reach 30 years of age. Reasons? The condition is usually caused by the buildup of keratin (the layer of skin on the head) in the pores, leading to clogged pores. Over time, the sebaceous glands and the keratin layer thicken, creating bumpy lesions. Studies show that this condition may be hereditary (30-50% have a family history) and may also be related to other autoimmune diseases such as ichthyosis or atopic dermatitis. Dry skin makes these bumpy lesions worse. Diagnosis is easy, but treatment is difficult This condition is fairly easy to diagnose. Most family doctors can diagnose it based on images and palpation of the bumpy lesions. However, in some cases, the condition may be misdiagnosed as other conditions such as amyloidosis (see image of the bumpy lesions on the legs). Most cases are referred to a dermatologist for treatment. Treatment mainly focuses on reducing the keratin layer Topical creams are the first step. Common creams include moisturizing creams and creams that soften the stratum corneum, such as alpha hydroxy acids, lactic acid (Amlaactin), salicylic acid, or urea (Nutraplus, Eucerin), which help soften the stratum corneum and exfoliate dead skin cells. These creams often contain moisturizers to reduce dryness. These types of creams are commonly available over-the-counter. Sometimes dermatologists will prescribe creams with a higher or thicker percentage (Urea or AHA creams). Please note that these creams may cause some itching when first applied. I usually use these creams for adults; their use should be limited in children. Another type of cream that dermatologists often prescribe is Vitamin A cream (Topical Retinoid), which stimulates skin cell turnover and prevents clogged pores. Common Retinoid brands include Retin-A, Renova, Avita, Avge, and Tarorac. This type of medication is also used to treat acne (topical and oral), so it can easily cause itching. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use retinoid creams. Steroid creams (Triamcinolone) are often prescribed to reduce itching and inflammation caused by other creams. Compound creams, such as Compound Cream, which combines 2-3% salicylic acid and 20% urea cream, have shown promising results. Another type of cream is an immunomodulatory cream such as pimecrolimus (Elidel) or tacrolimus (Protopic), often used off-label for this condition. When applying cream, be patient as it may take several weeks to see results. You should discuss with your doctor to see which cream is best suited for you. So, what should you do to treat it? Please watch the video! 1. https://emedicine.medscape.com/articl... 2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2... --- The book "From Architect to Doctor in the United States" by Dr. Wynn Tran is available in Vietnam. Fahasa: http://bit.ly/tukientrucsuthanhbacsi-fhs Tiki: http://bit.ly/Tukientrucsuthanhbacsi-...