utd_medknow
International Journal of Trichology International Journal of Trichology
 Print this page Email this page Small font sizeDefault font sizeIncrease font size
 
 
  Home | About IJT | Editorial board | Search | Ahead of print | Current Issue | Archives | Instructions | Online submission | Subscribe | Advertise | Contact us | Login   
 


 
 Table of Contents  
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2012  |  Volume : 4  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 255-258  

Keratosis Pilaris Revisited: Is It More Than Just a Follicular Keratosis?


Department of Dermatology, Seth GS Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Date of Web Publication26-Apr-2013

Correspondence Address:
Mary Thomas
Department of Dermatology, Seth GS Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra
India
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0974-7753.111215

Rights and Permissions
   Abstract 

Background: Keratosis pilaris (KP) is characterized by keratinous plugs in the follicular orifices and varying degrees of perifollicular erythema. The most accepted theory of its pathogenesis proposes defective keratinization of the follicular epithelium resulting in a keratotic infundibular plug. We decided to test this hypothesis by doing dermoscopy of patients diagnosed clinically as keratosis pilaris. Materials and Methods: Patients with a clinical diagnosis of KP seen between September 2011 and December 2011 were included in the study. A clinical history was obtained and examination and dermoscopic evaluation were performed on the lesions of KP. Results: The age of the patients ranged from 6-38 years. Sixteen patients had history of atopy. Nine had concomitant ichthyosis vulgaris. All the 25 patients were found to have coiled hair shafts within the affected follicular infundibula. The hair shafts were extracted with the help of a sterile needle and were found to retain their coiled nature. Perifollicular erythema was seen in 11 patients; perifollicular scaling in 9. Conclusion: Based on our observations and previously documented histological data of KP, we infer that KP may not be a disorder of keratinization, but caused by the circular hair shaft which ruptures the follicular epithelium leading to inflammation and abnormal follicular keratinization.

Keywords: Atopy, coiled hair, Keratosis Pilaris


How to cite this article:
Thomas M, Khopkar US. Keratosis Pilaris Revisited: Is It More Than Just a Follicular Keratosis?. Int J Trichol 2012;4:255-8

How to cite this URL:
Thomas M, Khopkar US. Keratosis Pilaris Revisited: Is It More Than Just a Follicular Keratosis?. Int J Trichol [serial online] 2012 [cited 2023 Jun 9];4:255-8. Available from: https://www.ijtrichology.com/text.asp?2012/4/4/255/111215


   Introduction Top


Keratosis pilaris (KP) is an autosomal dominant disorder that is classically characterized by keratinous plugs in the follicular orifices and varying degrees of perifollicular erythema [Figure 1]. It affects nearly 50-80% of all adolescents and approximately 40% of adults. [1] Most people with KP are otherwise asymptomatic and are frequently unaware of the condition. In general, KP is frequently cosmetically displeasing but medically harmless. The sites of predilection are the extensor surfaces of the upper arms (92%), thighs (59%) and buttocks (30%). [2] The classically described histopathology is distention of the follicular orifice by a keratinous plug that may contain one or more twisted hairs. [3]
Figure 1: Keratosis pilaris: Keratotic follicular papules present on the extensor aspect of both forearms

Click here to view


Known associations of KP include atopy (55%), [4] ichthyosis vulgaris, [5] scarring alopecia, [6] cardio-fascio-cutaneous syndrome, [7] ectodermal dysplasia [8]],[ KID syndrome, [9] obesity, [10] prolidase deficiency [11] and Down's syndrome. [12] Conditions presenting as keratotic follicular papules may be considered in the differential diagnosis of KP. These include phrynoderma, follicular eczema, follicular lichen planus, juvenile pityriasis rubra pilaris, acne vulgaris, acneiform drug eruption, trichostasis spinulosa, ichthyosis follicularis, scurvy, eruptive vellus hair cysts and perforating folliculitis.

The pathogenesis of KP is still not well understood. The most accepted theory proposes defective keratinization of the follicular epithelium resulting in a keratotic infundibular plug. [5] We decided to test this hypothesis by doing dermoscopy of patients diagnosed clinically as keratosis pilaris. We correlated the findings with the clinical features in these cases to further our understanding of the disease.


   Materials and Methods Top


A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted on 25 patients who presented to our outpatient department between September 2011 and December 2011 and were clinically diagnosed with KP. A clinical history was obtained; examination and dermoscopic evaluation were performed on the lesions of KP. The dermoscope used was a triple light source, non-contact, videodermoscope (Ultrascan© , Dermaindia) and patients were evaluated using both the white light and polarizing light. Still images of the lesions were shot and later analyzed and correlated with clinical features.


   Results Top


The age of the patients who underwent dermoscopic examination ranged from 6-38 years with average age of 18 years. The male:female ratio was 1:2. Of the 25 patients included in the study, 16 patients had history suggestive of atopy. Nine patients had concomitant ichthyosis vulgaris. One other patient had concomitant follicular eczema. All the 25 patients were found to have circular, twisted or coiled hair shafts within the affected follicular infundibula which could be extracted using a 26G needle. Six patients were found to have small papules of keratosis pilaris; 19 had larger lesions.

Dermoscopic examination with white light revealed that all the small papules of KP had a coiled or semicircular intermediate hair embedded superficially in the epidermis. None of the small lesions had perifollicular erythema or perifollicular scaling [Figure 2]. In larger lesions, a coiled hair shaft was visualized emerging from the infundibulum. The hair shaft formed a semicircle in 3 patients and a loop in 5 patients [Figure 3]. Even after the coiled hair shaft, embedded in the uppermost epidermis was dislodged from it with the help of a needle, it continued to maintain its coiled nature [Figure 4]. Perifollicular erythema was seen in 11 patients. Perifollicular scaling was seen in 9 patients [Figure 5], [Table 1]. Three of the female patients had undergone waxing for hair removal prior to the dermoscopic evaluation but coiled hair could be visualized embedded in the superficial epidermis even in these cases. It was noted that perifollicular erythema was more prominent in these cases.
Table 1: Dermoscopic features in keratosis pilaris

Click here to view
Figure 2: Early KP lesion with a circular hair shaft emerging from a normal‑appearing follicular opening

Click here to view
Figure 3: A looped hair shaft (a) and a coiled hair shaft (b) associated erythema and pigmentation. Note lack of keratin plug in (a)

Click here to view
Figure 4: The hair shaft retains its coiled nature even after being extracted from the superficial epidermis with a sterile needle

Click here to view
Figure 5: Perifollicular erythema and scaling surrounding a larger KP lesion

Click here to view



   Discussion Top


Keratosis pilaris is believed to be a disorder of keratinization [13] and there is very limited literature describing its etiopathogenesis. There are no previous studies evaluating the dermoscopic features of KP. The recent identification of 'loss-of-function' mutations in the structural protein filaggrin as a widely replicated major risk factor for atopic eczema and associated conditions e.g., ichthyosis vulgaris and keratosis pilaris, suggests that the primary pathogenetic mechanism in KP is an epithelial barrier abnormality. [14] Yet, much is still unknown about the sequence of biologic, physicochemical, and aberrant regulatory events leading to the clinical manifestations of KP. It is proposed to be a disorder of the keratinocytes caused by a mutation in the FLG gene which codes for fillagrin that is responsible for inducing both hyperkeratosis and inflammatory changes. More than 22 mutations have been described till date. [15] Hyperandrogenism has been known to cause hyperkeratinization of the pilosebaceous unit of terminal hairs in response to circulating androgens probably leading to increased incidence of KP in the pubertal age group. It has also been suggested that insulin resistance may play a role in the development of keratosis pilaris. [10] In a previous study it was found that young patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus had a higher prevalence of KP than healthy controls, with a high correlation with body mass index (BMI) and ichthyosiform skin changes of the legs. [16],[17]

Currently available treatment modalities for KP include various keratolytics, vitamin D3 analogs, topical systemic retinoids and various laser therapies. [18] In spite of the availability of such a multitude of treatments, satisfactory clinical outcomes are rare. This prompted us to evaluate the clinical and dermoscopic features of KP and review the etiological hypotheses.

Upon dermoscopy, we consistently found circular hair shafts mostly within normal-appearing follicular openings. White light examination revealed the clinically visible follicular papules harboring a circular hair shaft embedded in their sides, but sans follicular plugs. At times, these papules showed the hair to be thicker and forming larger coils embedded in the superficial epidermis. These hair shafts were found to retain their coiled nature even after they were extracted from the follicular plugs, indicating that the defect in KP may not be of keratinization, but of the circular hair shaft which ruptures the follicular epithelium, leading to inflammation and abnormal follicular keratinization. Waxing exacerbated the lesions probably secondary to an increased perifollicular inflammation secondary to trauma.


   Conclusion Top


Even though keratosis pilaris is a common clinical diagnosis, little is known about its etiology. It was considered to be a defect in the follicular keratinization, though dermoscopic examination did not support this theory. We propose that KP is primarily caused by a hair shaft defect. Further studies are required to evaluate the role of laser hair removal in the treatment of KP to reinforce this hypothesis.

 
   References Top

1.Alai NN. Keratosis pilaris. Emedicine. Available from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1070651-overview [Last updated on 2012 Mar 23 2012] [Last accessed on 2012 Mar 03].  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.Judge MR, McLean WH, Munro CS. Disorders of keratinization. In: Burns DA, Breathnach SM, Cox NH, Griffiths CE, editors. Rook's textbook of dermatology. 7 th ed. Oxford, England: Blackwell Publishing; 2004. p. 34. 60-34. 62.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.Rogers M. Keratosis pilaris and other inflammatory follicular keratotic syndromes. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, Katz SI, Gilchrest BA, Paller AS, Leffell DJ, editors. Fitzpatrick's dermatology in general medicine. 7th ed. New York: McGraw Hill; 2008. p. 749-53.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.Ebling FJ, Marks R, Rook A. Disorders of keratinization. In: Rook A, Wilkinson DS, Ebling FJ, Champion RH, Burton JL, editors. Textbook of dermatology. 4 th ed. Oxford Blackwell Scientific Publication: 1986.p. 1435-6.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.Mevorah B, Marazzi A, Frenk E. The prevalence of accentuated palmoplantar markings and keratosis pilaris in atopic dermatitis, autosomal dominant ichthyosis and control dermatological patients. Br J Dermatol 1985;112:679-85.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.Romine KA, Rothschild JG, Hansen RC. Cicatricial Alopecia and Keratosis Pilaris. Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans. Arch Dermatol 1997;133:381-2.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.Pierard GE, Soyeur-Broux M, Estrada JA, Pierard-Franchimont C, Soyeur D, Verloes A. Cutaneous presentation of the cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome. J Am Acad Dermatol 1990;22:920-2.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.Chitty LS, Dennis N, Baraitser M. Hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia of hair, teeth, and nails: Case reports and review. J Med Genet 1996;33:707-10.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.McHenry PM, Nevin NC, Bingham EA. The association of keratosis pilaris atrophicans with hereditary woolly hair. Pediatr dermatol 1990;7:202-4.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.Barth J, Wojnarowska F, Dawber R. Acanthosis nigricans, insulin resistance and cutaneous virilism. Br J Dermatol 1988;118:613-9.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11.Kokturk A, Kaya TI, Ikizoglu G, Koca A. Prolidase deficiency. Int J Dermatol 2002;41:45-8.  Back to cited text no. 11
    
12.Daneshpazhooh M, Mohammad-Javad NT, Bigdeloo L, Yoosefi M. Mucocutaneous findings in 100 children with down syndrome. Pediatr Dermatol 2007;24:317-20.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
13.Hwang S, Schwartz RA. Keratosis pilaris: A common follicular hyperkeratosis. Cutis 2008;82:177-80.  Back to cited text no. 13
    
14.O'Regan GM, Sandilands A, McLeanWH, Irvine AD. Filaggrin in atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009;124:R2-6.  Back to cited text no. 14
    
15.Brown SJ, Relton CL, Liao H, Zhao Y, Sandilands A, Wilson IJ, et al. Filaggrin null mutations and childhood atopic eczema: A population-based case-control study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2008;121:940-6.  Back to cited text no. 15
    
16.Barth JH, Wojnarowska F, Dawber RP. Is keratosis pilaris another androgen-dependent dermatosis?. Clin Exp Dermatol 1988;13:240-1.  Back to cited text no. 16
    
17.Yosipovitch G, Mevorah B, Mashiach J, Chan YH, David M. High body mass index, dry scaly leg skin and atopic conditions are highly associated with keratosis pilaris. Dermatology 2000;201:34-6.  Back to cited text no. 17
    
18.Gerbig AW. Treating keratosis pilaris. J Am Acad Dermatol 2002;47:457.  Back to cited text no. 18
    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5]
 
 
    Tables

  [Table 1]


This article has been cited by
1 Review article: Dermoscopy in pediatric dermatosis
GopalsingRameshsing Rajput, Manas Chatterjee, Ruchi Hemdani
Apollo Medicine. 2023; 0(0): 0
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
2 Link between Insulin Resistance and Obesity—From Diagnosis to Treatment
Jakub Golacki, Malgorzata Matuszek, Beata Matyjaszek-Matuszek
Diagnostics. 2022; 12(7): 1681
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
3 Trichoscopy beyond scalp. A narrative review
Hadir Shakshouk, Antonella Tosti
International Journal of Dermatology. 2022;
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
4 Follicular Keratosis in Adolescents: Diagnostic Features and Cosmetological Aspects of Therapy
E. V. Ikonnikova, L. S. Kruglova
Current Pediatrics. 2022; : 342
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
5 Efficacy and Safety of Long-Pulsed 755-nm Alexandrite Laser for Keratosis Pilaris: A Split-Body Randomized Clinical Trial
Man Li, Yue Bai, Zhixuan Duan, Ruofei Yuan, Xiaoduo Liu, Yi Liu, Xuelei Liang, Haixuan Wu, Fenglin Zhuo
Dermatology and Therapy. 2022;
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
6 Clinical and Dermoscopic Evaluation of Trichloroacetic Acid 20% Versus Long-Pulsed 1064-nm Nd-YAG Laser in the Treatment of Keratosis Pilaris
Akmal S. Hassan, Mai Abdel Aziz, Dina G. Saadi
Dermatologic Surgery. 2022; Publish Ah
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
7 Efficacy of tacrolimus 0.1% ointment in keratosis pilaris: A prospective hospital based interventional study
Revathi Tatavarthi, SeetharamAnjaneyulu Kolalapudi, KrishnaPhaneendra Prasad Arumilli, Raghuramarao Gandikota, Satya Saka, PrasadChowdary Arumilli
Journal of Medical Sciences. 2022; 42(1): 22
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
8 A study of clinical, dermoscopic and histopathological correlation in follicular keratotic diseases: Preliminary observations in 30 cases
Meghana Gangadhar, KeshavmurthyA Adya, ArunC Inamadar
Indian Dermatology Online Journal. 2021; 12(5): 731
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
9 Keratosis pilaris caused by dupilumab for the treatment of bronchial asthma
Yuka Shibata, Shigetoshi Sano
Journal of Cutaneous Immunology and Allergy. 2021; 4(4): 82
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
10 Acne in the first three decades of life: An update of a disorder with profound implications for all decades of life
Donald E. Greydanus, Roua Azmeh, Maria Demma Cabral, Cheryl A. Dickson, Dilip R. Patel
Disease-a-Month. 2021; 67(4): 101103
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
11 Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography for non-invasive diagnosis of lichenoid dermatoses of the childhood: A case series
Linda Tognetti, Andrea. Carraro, Elisa Cinotti, Mariano Suppa, Veronique Marmol, Jean Luc Perrot, Pietro Rubegni
Skin Research and Technology. 2021;
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
12 Keratosis pilaris in the Light of Recent Reports. Alternative forms of symptoms Relief of this genodermatosis – the Importance of home Care monitored by Remote Consultations. Case Report
Justyna Martyna Brzozowska
Acta Balneologica. 2021; 63(4): 315
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
13 Dermoscopy of lichen scrofulosorum
Rubina Jassi, Anuja Yadav, Ram Chander
Indian Dermatology Online Journal. 2020; 11(5): 876
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
14 “Extraction Dermoscopy”: Expanding the Utility of Epiluminescence Microscopy
Sanober Burzin Daruwalla, Rachita S. Dhurat, Sandip Agrawal, Shraddha Mahobia, Sradda Naidu Kona
Skin Appendage Disorders. 2020; 6(4): 220
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
15 Treatment of keratosis pilaris and its variants: a systematic review
Jalal Maghfour, Sophia Ly, Wasim Haidari, Sarah L. Taylor, Steven R. Feldman
Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2020; : 1
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
16 Diagnosis of main rashes in children
Camelia Elena Berghea, Corina Marton
Alergologia. 2019; 4(3): 160
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
17 Nevoid Trichostasis Spinulosa: Dermoscopic Point of View
Swapnil Shah, Balachandra S Ankad, Anirudh A Mallapur
International Journal of Dermoscopy. 2017; 1(2): 65
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
18 Unilateral keratosis pilaris occurring on linear hypopigmentation patches: A new variant of keratosis pilaris in an Asian?
Han Ma,Qingfang Xu,Guoxing Zhu,Xiangyang Su,Songchao Yin,Chun Lu,Wei Lai
The Journal of Dermatology. 2015; : n/a
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
19 Sebaceous Gland, Hair Shaft, and Epidermal Barrier Abnormalities in Keratosis Pilaris with and without Filaggrin Deficiency
Robert Gruber,Jeffrey L. Sugarman,Debra Crumrine,Melanie Hupe,Theodora M. Mauro,Elizabeth A. Mauldin,Jacob P. Thyssen,Johanna M. Brandner,Hans-Christian Hennies,Matthias Schmuth,Peter M. Elias
The American Journal of Pathology. 2015;
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
20 Pelos circulares
Benigno Monteagudo,Alejandro Vilas-Sueiro,Laura Rosende,Daniel González-Vilas
Piel. 2014;
[Pubmed] | [DOI]



 

Top
 
 
  Search
 
    Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
    Access Statistics
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  

 
  In this article
    Abstract
   Introduction
    Materials and Me...
   Results
   Discussion
   Conclusion
    References
    Article Figures
    Article Tables

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed20169    
    Printed371    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded143    
    Comments [Add]    
    Cited by others 20    

Recommend this journal