Keratos is Pilaris (KP) is commonly known as the chicken skin disease. Mostly undetected in childhood many sufferers begin to notice the condition in their teen years. If not properly understood and treated one can become quite miserable during the adolescent years.

Youths are constantly bombarded with images of the perfect skin, hair and body type of their favourite celebrities. In addition people suffering with this disease do not know they have it because it is often mistaken for acne.

KP looks like permanent goose bumps on the skin and often feels rough to the touch. It usually appears on the elbows, the back, the sides of the arms and legs and in less common forms the face and eyebrows. If a plug is pulled from the root, a fine coiled up hair may be found inside.

Persons affected with KP often experience itchiness and very dry skin. It is a result of a build up of keratin around the hair follicles that causes a tough, horny layer usually taking up a span of 2mm or more on almost any part of the body. There is no specific test for KP but a dermatologist can usually tell the signs without a biopsy.

Gail Smith, 34 has suffered with this skin condition most of her life and even though KP is not contagious and completely harmless it is unsightly on the skin.

She said, ’ I first noticed KP on my skin when I was probably 14 or 15 years old but I didn’t know what it was at the time.’

’As I grew older I found out that the internet is a great leveler, when you think there is something abnormal about you, you do research. I discovered that one in every three people suffer with KP. ’

Speaking to the Express, Natalie Grimaldos an aesthetician and owner of Bliss Spa in Chaguanas said, ’ We treat KP with several skin peels to break down the build up of skin. It is treated at the surface level with six lactic acid peels. There are no side effects because lactic acid is produced naturally by the body.’

She added, ’This treatment is better as opposed to glycolic peels because glycolic acid is harmful to the body. I believe the weather also plays a factor when it comes to the skin as well.’

There are different types and variations in KP from mild to severe in condition. And usually the disease worsens in low humidity.

There is no cure for KP, since it is a chronic, genetic follicular disease. However, treatments are available.

According to the website www.helpforkp.com products used to treat KP include: Glycolic Acid (AHA), Lactic Acid, Urea, Vitamin A Treatments, Microdermabrasion and many others but overall the skin condition can be managed over time.