Presentations of Cutaneous Disease in Various Skin Pigmentations: Keratosis Pilaris
February 2026
in “
HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine
”
TLDR Recognizing keratosis pilaris in all skin tones helps diagnose related skin issues and reduce distress.
Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a common benign skin disorder characterized by hyperkeratotic papules, often found on the arms, legs, and buttocks. It is associated with dry skin conditions like atopic dermatitis and ichthyosis vulgaris. Recognizing KP is crucial for primary care clinicians as it aids in diagnosing related skin diseases and can help alleviate psychological distress through education and treatment. The review highlights the importance of identifying KP across different skin tones and notes that it can be mistaken for conditions such as folliculitis, acne vulgaris, and milia. Uncommon variants of KP can lead to scarring and alopecia.