Any Advice About Keratosis Pilaris?

Hi A.,

There are so many people that have this... I do and now so does my 20 month old. It's not bothersome and not real obvious. The most anyone has ever said to me was "are you cold?" because of the bumps. I personally have just left it alone and dealt with it but I've heard that Salicylic acid is probably the best thing to help clear it up. But it's a temporary fix. You'll have to keep using it.

You could try hydrocortizone cream everyday. Then when it clears up do every other or every third day.
J. F

Am Lactin is a lotion to put on it to help with it. It's not acne, so I don't think it will be an issue with her self-esteem. I went to a dermatologist recently about it b/c I noticed it becoming a problem after pregnancy - I think it may be due to my hormones being out of whack. Anyways, the lotion works great - you may need a prescription for it though. I don't think the dr would have an issue with it.

I use a foam called Umecta. It is rubbed into the skin. You may want to be referred to a dermatologist. I still have it but when I use the foam it softens the skin and makes it less noticable. I have also used lac-hydracin. Sometimes when you apply it it causes a minor burning sensation. I really didn't care about it until I was older in highschool. Hope this helps.

my husband has this... it bugs him sometimes and not so much other times. He does not use anything perscribed just various dry, sensitve and itchy skin lotions (sorry I don't know names off hand).

I would not focus on it too much that way she just becomes use to it. Obviously if it is bugging her get lotion or talk to a doc but try not to be negative about it.

Best Wishes!!

Here's another article from someone who has Keratosis Pilaris. She mentions a few more things that she's tried over the years. http://www0.epinions.com/content_970694788

I have this problem also ever since I was a kid. I have tried several different lotions that never really seemed to work. I recently just discovered that putting some bath salt in my bath really helps. My legs have never been so soft or smooth in my entire life! It's inexpensive and I don't see how it could be harmful to kids but you still might want to check. It has never affected my self-esteem in any way and nobody has ever pointed it out to me either.

My son has it and i think i have it. Our ped isn't too worried about it. He gave us some prescription lotin to use on it. It seems like it gets worse in the winter months than the summer months. I can try to answer specific questions if you have any. W.

Hi A.,

I had/have this skin condition. As an adult I have used DermaDr's KP scrub--works great. And then moisturize after showers. I have also noticed that when I am really good about getting the essential fatty acids I need via fish oil caps, the problem subsides. Good nutrition in general is helpful for this too. Best of luck--I can totally sympathize!

Hi,

I have lived with Keratosis Pilaris as long as I can remember. Never noticed it until puberty. I had it on upper thighs and back of arms. They never itched it was just a cosmetic thing that was not as smooth as other friends skin. Definately not a self-esteem problem for me there are definately other things you can do do promote a healthy self-esteem and respect that's how she was created and she should love the way she was made.

Once I began shaving my legs the bumps suddenly dissapeared, and now at 26 years I have some on the back of my upper arms. In the summer they are better as sun I believe helps. I don't lotion or anything more than lotion for dry skin after showering. My dermo said this isn't anything but a cosmetic thing, they could remove them but it's painful (and most likely will return) and/or put a hydrocortizone which thins the skin so really wouldn't be the best thing for something that's not a big deal or a health concern. I've grown to know that it's a part of me and my body and no boyfriends ever complained, and if they did it's their problem, right?????? I'm now happily married with three children.

For your daughter, don't make it an attention getter she doesn't notice or care right now. When she's old enough and asks you about it take her to the dermo and she can hear for herself the options and make a decision with you and the doc and she'll probably be not at all concerned, just make sure you aren't the one making her concerned; that will effect her self-esteem. I've recently noticed that my five year old has keratosis a bit on her back of upper arms as well.

Try not to be concerned. As my doctor says "Nobody's body is perfect!!"

Take Care, L.

I have had this for as long as I remember. Keratosis pilaris (sp?) is really another name for dry, sensitive skin. In the past I have used prescription lotions (lac hydrin lotions with varying strengths). There's an OTC lac hydrin as well. It bothered me more as a teen and child, so I was religious about applying these. As an adult, I've not been so concerned about it. I use lots of different lotions and creams, but haven't found a miracle cure. I have found that exfoliating helps, but I don't think your daughter is old enough, maybe she is. I have also noticed that being in the sun a little bit helps. I have an olive skin tone, so I don't burn easily.

As far as self esteem goes, this condition is really not that extreme (at least in my case), and you and your husband can just help enrich her life by not focusing on skin redness or bumps. I come from a family of 5 kids. I am the only one with keratosis pilaris, and I am probably the most confident of all of us. I dated in high school, married a wonderful man, went to college, have had a successful career, etc. etc. It is great that you are thinking about this now, but I hope you won't become too worried about it.

That being said, I would be interested in hearing if others have found that miracle cure. It can never hurt.

I have it, my husband has it, and I'm sure my kids will some day too! Your daughter is probably too young to try my remedy--it is very aggressive: go and buy a Buf Puf body sponge--not for sensitive skin, but the regular one--and start scrubbing. Hard. It is the only thing that has really made a difference for me. In the winter or if it seems really bad, I scrub and then apply a gel called Keralyt; it is a salicylic acid (3%) gel, one of the highest you can buy over the counter. This has cleared it up in the past; I've noticed that now that I'm in my thirties and have had two kids, it isn't as bad as when I was younger. So, perhaps save my solution for when she is a bit older. You can probably use the Keralyt on her now--I use it on my son and have since he was about three. It works really well for him, especially when he gets similar bumps on his face. Good luck!
P.S. The sponges can be purchased at Drugstore.com and the gel at Dermstore (just Google it).
P.P.S. This is a really common thing...I think I read somewhere that something like one in three people have it, so she isn't alone!

Hi,

My sister is 23 snd has problems with KP on her arms. She had tried a lot of of products that did not work but then I got her using Arbonne baby wash, baby oil and baby lotion. She has had great improvement and only has flare ups once in a while. She loves the fact that the Arbonne products are not as expensive as a lot of products she had tried that didn't work. Send me an email if you would like to try a sample of the baby products.
Hope this Helps!

J.

A.,
I have this very mildly on the back of my thighs and my son has it on his arms, butt and thighs. It has been such a struggle for him. Here's what we learned: Use gentle laundry detergent & the smallest amount needed, Dove body wash works w/out irritating it more than others (don't use soap if you don't have to!), Eucerin lotions and Aquaphor help flare ups (when they're red and enflamed and itchy). To keep them under control in winter when it gets really bad take some lemons and cut them in half and throw a few in the tub at bath time (we freeze them so we've always got them around) -- after washing up take the lemon and rub it on her skin...after a few times the bumps go away and stay away if you keep this up! My boyfriend's mom discovered this because she loves the lemon smell and gave my son a bath that way and they thought it was fun to rub the lemon juice on! It sounds weird but it really works where none of the high price lotions ever really have! Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions!

my son has it, our dr told us the best thing for it is moisturizer that does not have alcohol in it. the shea butter ones seem to work best for us. i've also noticed its best when we bathe at least 2x per week..it flares up more when we dont bathe often which i'm guessing has to do with the moisturizer soaking more into wet skin? not sure.
my mother feels i should try cortizone on it but havent yet as i know it thins the skin with excessive use so thought i would wait until he's older. someone also suggested limiting dairy which again i havent tried as he is all about cheese. since its not hurting him figured we would wait until he's older & can understand a little more. good luck.

My sisters and I all have it in varying degrees. I found that getting sun helped to minimize the redness. As other moms have suggested, Eucerin is helpful to keep as a base coat lotion on the skin. Anything with lemongrass seems to calm them also.
I remember being congnizant of it in jr high/high school as they were bad on my upper thigh. I probably didn't wear alot of short shorts but my dad wouldn't have let me anyway :=).
I would say self confidence is not an issue for me. For your daughter, it's best to not concentrate on her body except to tell her how important it is to keep it healthy and strong. Good luck!

Hi A.,
I have Keratosis Pilaris and this is what my derm doctor said to do. There's a lotion called Lac-Hydride (it has lactic acid I believe in it) that's non prescription. You can put it on a couple times a day and it's supposed to help. I use it and it helps, but just seems to take awhile. Also, if you decide to use it I'd check to make sure it's safe for kids (although I don't see what the problem would be).

A.

Both my children, my husband, and I have this it's more annoying than anything else. For my children to keep it under controll I always wash everyone's clothes in Dreft soap and if I need something stain treated they have dreft spot treatment. They also have oxy clean free that I put in every load for help with stains. As far as their soaps and lotions, I was told by my doctor as well as my sister whose daughter has very bad skin problems, use cetaphil soap and lotion it's reasonably priced and you can find it at any walgreens or walmart. My sons skin has been very clear and he doesn't have any problems as long as we do this routine every night after bath. There is also a cream called Triamcinolone Acetonide ointment 0.1% that your doctor can prescribe if iritation persists. Good luck.

S., Mother to Austin 3 and Kaylee 6mo.

Hi A.,
I have had KP since I was born, There are 2 kinds of this skin condition one that itches and one that doesn't. It is actually caused by the skin cells we loose everyday to clog the pores where hair grows. Unfortunately mine covers my whole arm, forearm, thighs and calves. I recommend Omega 3 vitamin Acne face washes and such I have found to be too irritating for my skin but either a salt or sugar scrub works well to unclog the pores, with a moisturizer after shower. Aveno or Eucerin seem to work pretty well

I have it on my upper arms and my daughter has it there as well. I recently did some research on the internet about KP since my daughter has it now. I found this website and bought their product: http://www.pearsonspromise.com/

I've used it consistently on my arms and my KP has improved, but hasn't totally gone away. I like the product and will continue to use it. I haven't consistently used it for my daughter but that will be the next step. Although, I think I'm going to trying rubbing lemons as someone else suggested to you. I like the natural methods.

Good luck, P.

Hi A.,

I found this website that seems to have several helpful ways to reduce or cure this problem. That I liked about this site was that it used natural solutions to this condition, which I think for a child, is very important. http://ezinearticles.com/?Keratosis-Pilaris-Treatment---E... There were several other websites pertaining to this when I googled keratosis pilaris.

Good luck!
C.

My son (now 10) had it on his upper arms. His homeopath recommended one teaspoon of cod liver oil per day and increasing his intake of natural fats in general. The bumps are all gone now. The doctor said it is a symptom of vitamin A deficiency. (We mix the cod liver oil with juice so that it's sort of palatable.) Good luck A..

I am sorry, I am not sure I am familiar with what this is exactly. Is it a matter of sensitive skin/allergies? or hereditary issue?
I know that I have very sensitive skin and had some small bumps on the backs of my upper arms, just annoying. Didn't itch or anything.
I used Arbonne products and they have completely disappeared and I have heard that from other women as well.
Have you checked into any more natural, chemical-free products for this issue? Maybe there is an allergy or skin sensitivity issue.
just a thought... if you have questions you're welcome to respond to this post.
G.

I have the same thing and have also had it since birth! Ask her pediatrician to write a prescription for Carmol 40 Cream. It is the only thing that will take away the bumps! My dermatologist is the one who started me on it. You apply it once or twice daily...but after the bumps go away you usually don't need to apply it as often. Regular cream can sometimes also work...but not nearly as well. Feel free to email me if you have any other questions. Good luck! P.S....it never really affected my self-esteem growing up...I don't think it is truly very obvious unless you are looking for it :-)! The bumps do tend to feel like a sunburn when your skin is really dry though :-(!