Naturally, you first want to understand how keratosis pilaris occurs. Keratin is a protein naturally found in skin that works to protect skin from bacteria and infection (via Mayo Clinic). When this protein collects around your hair follicles, it clogs the pores, and keratosis pilaris is the result.
Like many skin conditions, the times in life when it tends to be the worst include times of growth. For this reason, it’s common in babies, teens, and in young adulthood (via WedMD). However, it’s still possible to have it appear at any age.
You might wonder why you have them, especially when everyone around you seems to have baby-fine skin. The truth is that there is a genetic component, so if members of your family have it, you may be destined to have it, at least for a while. If you have atopic dermatitis, that puts you at higher risk for keratosis pilaris, too (via Cedars Sinai).
