There are small red spots on your legs, you may not know it is a disease

There are many small red spots on your legs. You may not know that it is actually a skin disease. The scientific name is keratosis pilaris. As the name suggests, keratosis pilaris is caused by excessive keratinized substances that block the pores and produce small red rashes with rough pores. The prone areas vary depending on the physique of different families, but the most common areas are the arms, calves, thighs or under the cheeks.

1. Blocked pores

Due to keratinization at the opening of the sebaceous gland duct of the hair follicle, the so-called "keratin plug" is formed, which will cause the pores to be blocked after hardening. The appearance is small pinpoint-like papules, which are scattered and are skin-colored, reddish brown or brown in color. Most of the rashes are painless and itchy. The appearance is very similar to "goose bumps", which are rough and sandpaper-like, feel rough and look more annoying, but goose bumps are caused by the contraction of the arrector pili muscles due to climate, emotions, etc., which is a temporary skin change; while the papules formed by keratosis pilaris are a persistent condition.

2. Site of disease

Clinically, the symptoms start in the teens and become more obvious during adolescence, and gradually alleviate as the child ages. It is more likely to occur on both sides of the cheeks and the extensor areas of the limbs, such as the outside of the arms, the outside of the thighs or the buttocks. Small skin-colored or brown-red papules can be seen on the affected area. Most of them do not have any obvious symptoms, but sometimes they are accompanied by an itchy feeling.

3. Symptoms

The pores are red and even feel raised to the touch. This is keratosis pilaris. In more serious cases, the pores will be darker in color, appearing dark red or brown, and the particles will be rougher, looking like goose bumps. The most common areas where it appears are the outer side of the upper arms, thighs, and neck. Some people even have symptoms of pore keratosis on their entire back and cheeks.

4. Hazards

Generally speaking, keratinized pores do not cause much inconvenience except for their unpleasant appearance. But the most frightening thing is that the patient will grab it with his hands, because once he starts to pick it with his hands, it will be the beginning of a terrible nightmare. When patients scratch, the tissues around the pores will swell, causing the pore openings to become smaller and more easily clogged, resulting in acne and folliculitis. If scratched, scars and pigmentation will form, making it more difficult and troublesome to treat or improve the condition.