Overview
Keratosis pilaris atrophicans (KPA) is a rare inherited skin condition that causes small, rough bumps to form on the skin, which over time can lead to permanent scarring and skin thinning (atrophy). It belongs to a group of related disorders that all share a pattern of follicular plugging — meaning the tiny hair follicles in the skin become blocked with a protein called keratin. Unlike the very common and harmless 'chicken skin' (ordinary keratosis pilaris), KPA causes lasting damage to the skin and hair follicles. There are three main forms of KPA: keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans (KFSD), which mainly affects the scalp and face and can cause permanent hair loss; atrophoderma vermiculata, which causes a pitted, worm-eaten appearance on the cheeks; and keratosis pilaris atrophicans faciei (also called ulerythema ophryogenes), which affects the outer eyebrows and cheeks. All forms tend to start in childhood and progress over time. Symptoms include rough, red bumps on the skin, redness and inflammation, scarring, and hair loss in affected areas. There is currently no cure for KPA. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms using moisturizers, keratolytic creams (which help soften and remove the skin buildup), retinoids, and anti-inflammatory medications. Early treatment may help slow progression and reduce scarring.
Key symptoms:
Small, rough, red or skin-colored bumps on the skinRedness and irritation around hair folliclesPermanent scarring or pitting of the skin over timeThinning of the skin in affected areasHair loss on the scalp (scarring alopecia)Loss of eyebrow hair, especially the outer partsPitted or 'worm-eaten' appearance on the cheeksDry, rough skin textureInflammation and crusting around hair folliclesSensitivity or discomfort in affected skin areas
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Childhood
Begins in childhood, roughly ages 1 to 12
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventJohns Hopkins University — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Keratosis pilaris atrophicans.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Keratosis pilaris atrophicans at this time.
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Keratosis pilaris atrophicans.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Keratosis pilaris atrophicans.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Keratosis pilaris atrophicans
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Investigating the Safety and Efficacy of the 1927-nm Thulium Laser in Keratosis Pilaris
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Keratosis pilaris atrophicans
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Which specific type of keratosis pilaris atrophicans does my child or I have, and how is it likely to progress?,Should we have genetic testing, and what would the results mean for other family members?,What treatments do you recommend to slow down scarring, and how long before we see results?,Is the hair loss or skin scarring reversible with any current treatments?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments we should know about?,How often should we have follow-up appointments to monitor the condition?,Can you refer us to a psychologist or support group to help with the emotional impact of this condition?
Common questions about Keratosis pilaris atrophicans
What is Keratosis pilaris atrophicans?
Keratosis pilaris atrophicans (KPA) is a rare inherited skin condition that causes small, rough bumps to form on the skin, which over time can lead to permanent scarring and skin thinning (atrophy). It belongs to a group of related disorders that all share a pattern of follicular plugging — meaning the tiny hair follicles in the skin become blocked with a protein called keratin. Unlike the very common and harmless 'chicken skin' (ordinary keratosis pilaris), KPA causes lasting damage to the skin and hair follicles. There are three main forms of KPA: keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans
At what age does Keratosis pilaris atrophicans typically begin?
Typical onset of Keratosis pilaris atrophicans is childhood. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Keratosis pilaris atrophicans?
17 specialists and care centers treating Keratosis pilaris atrophicans are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.