Keratosis pilaris Q80.0

Lutz 1860

Frequent, completely harmless cornification disorder of the hair follicles with probable autosomal dominant inheritance. Occasionally combined with mild or pronounced ichthyosis vulgaris and in atopic diathesis.

The prevalence of keratosis pilaris is reported to be close to 50% of the population.

Although keratosis pilaris is a common disease, the exact etiology is still unknown.

• 1) Genetically determined keratosis pilaris (hyperkeratosis of the infundibulum of the hair follicles) which leads to atrophy of the hair. The long hair is not affected in this mild form. This form of the disease is inherited autosomal-dominantly. Mutations in the filaggrin gene correlate with keratosis pilaris, as do anomalies in the Ras signaling cascade. The follicular abnormalities observed in keratosis pilaris may be due to mutations in the filaggrin gene. Keratosis pilaris is often associated with atopic dermatitis. The mutations in the filaggrin gene suggest that keratosis pilaris is the result of a loss of normal epithelial barrier function (Thomas M et al. 2012).
• 2) Acquired form of keratosis pilaris: Keratosis pilaris is a not entirely rare side effect of therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Acquired keratosis pilaris has been described during treatment with vemurafenib and imatinib (Braunstein I et al. 2014; Leong WM 2016).

It occurs primarily in adolescents (not gender-specific) during puberty. The “condition” usually persists throughout a person’s entire lifespan but declines significantly during adolescence. Persistent erythema (erythema persistans faciei— rusticanus type) may appear on the cheeks, giving the face a “healthy, fresh” appearance. Largely unnoticed, a complete loss of vellus hair may occur over the course of years on the extensor surfaces of the extremities, as well as on the face. Women tend to perceive this as enhancing their attractiveness rather than as a “disease.”

The situation is different with the loss of terminal hair follicles on the eyebrows or on the frontal or lateral parts of the forehead. This manifestation is also possible (atrophic follicular keratosis). Here, too, the process that destroys the follicles progresses chronically and insidiously over the course of years and cannot be influenced by treatment.

Mainly extensor sides of the upper arms, outer side of the upper and lower legs, glutaeal region are affected.

Innumerable rough horny plugs attached to the follicles, usually skin-colored, pointed conical, protruding above the skin level. They give the skin a granular texture. Keratosis pilaris (synonym = keratosis follicularis) can affect body regions covered with vellus hairs as well as those with bristle hairs (e.g. eyebrows) and long hairs (capillitium).

The follicular environment may be skin-colored without reaction. However, it is usually characterized by a ring-shaped saturated red erythema.

There is a rubbing sensation when brushing over it.

Regular acrocyanosis, also perniosis follicularis in the affected areas (type rusticanus).

When scratching out the keratoses, a coiled hair often appears.

See also the remarks under the name"keratosis pilaris syndrome".

The main histologic and dermoscopic findings of KP are hyperkeratosis, hypergranulosis, mild lymphocytic inflammation dominated by type 1 T helper cells, obstruction of follicular orifices, conspicuous absence of sebaceous glands, and abnormalities of the hair shaft in KP lesions (occasionally an upturned vellus hair enclosed by horny masses is found) but not in unaffected skin sites. Alterations in barrier function and abnormal paracellular permeability were found in both the interfollicular and follicular stratum corneum of lesional KP, which correlate ultrastructurally with impaired maturation and organization of the extracellular lamellar bilayer (Gruber R et al. 2015).

Ichthyosis follicularis: identical clinical and histological picture. However, other signs of ichthyosis are absent in keratosis pilaris.

Lichen ruber foll icularis: no keratotic follicular structure. Atrophy of vellus and long hairs. Histologically: dense perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrate with adnexotropia.

Mucinosis follicularis: short time of onset, acute flare-up of follicular papules, usually mildly pruritic. Histology is diagnostic.

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides: Follicle-emphasized red, violently pruritic papules. Histology is diagnostic.

Nourishing and keratolytic external measures. Greasing lotions (base lotion (DAC)) or creams; possibly addition of urea in a 5-20% concentration (e.g. Nubral cream or 5% urea in Excipial Hydro- or Lipolotio, see formulations), salicylic acid (2-3%) or common salt (5-10%), possibly their combinations. Even highly diluted (0.005%) tretinoin creams can improve the skin condition.

It is important to use detergents such as syndets or soaps sparingly in personal hygiene. Instead of detergents, use hydrophilic body oils as a wash substitute (e.g., hydrophilic body oil or ready-to-use oil baths, which are generally used as oil baths). Use oil or saline baths for bathing.

Internal treatment measures are not necessary or indicated.

Remarkably good results are reported from laser therapy, with the QS:Nd YAG laser in particular offering advantages (Kechichian E et al. 2020; Ma H et al. 2015; Maitriwong P et al. 2020).

Significant improvement with increasing age. The cause of this is the follicular atrophy that sets in with the years and at the same time leads to the loss of terminal hair on the affected skin areas.

Notice!

This gradual loss of follicles is not, however, perceived as a "symptom of illness"! S.a. Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans.

Keratosis follicularis is more frequently combined with a light-skinned skin type as well as varying degrees of obesity.

1. Braunstein I et al. (2014) Vemurafenib-induced interface dermatitis manifesting as radiation-recall and a keratosis pilaris-like eruption. J Cutan Pathol 41:539-543.
2. Gruber R et al. (2015) Sebaceous gland, hair shaft, and epidermal barrier abnormalities in keratosis pilaris with and without filaggrin deficiency. Am J Pathol 185:1012-1021
3. Ibrahim O et al. (2014) Treatment of keratosis pilaris with 810-nm diode laser: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Dermatol 151:187-19
4. Kechichian E et al. (2020) Light and Laser Treatments for Keratosis Pilaris: A Systematic Review. Dermatol Surg 46:1397-1402.
5. Leong WM (2016). Nilotinib-Induced Keratosis Pilaris. Case Rep Dermatol 8:91-96.
6. Ma H et al. (2015) Unilateral keratosis pilaris occurring on linear hypopigmentation patches: a new variant of keratosis pilaris in an Asian? J Dermatol 42:437-438
7. Maitriwong P et al. (2020) Innovative 1064-nm Nd:YAG Laser Significantly Improves Keratosis Pilaris, A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Irradiation-Controlled Trial. Lasers Surg Med 52:509-514.
8. Nutz MC et al. (2025) Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography in lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia: A pilot study. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 23:173-181.
9. Shimizu A et al. (2016) Generalized keratosispilaris-like eruptions in a chronic myelogenous leukemia patient treated with nilotinib. J Dermatol doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.13336.

10. Thomas M et al. (2012) Keratosis pilaris revisited: is it more than just follicular keratosis? Int J Trichology 4:255-258.