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- Winter is coming: A dermatologist’s tips for managing keratosis pilaris
Winter is coming: A dermatologist’s tips for managing keratosis pilaris
Photo courtesy of The Primary Care Dermatology Society
Keratosis pilaris develops most often on the backs of arms and on the fronts of thighs. In young children, the bumps may also be present on the cheeks. The appearance may be reminiscent of goose bumps or the skin of a plucked chicken. Others mistake the bumps for small pimples. In reality, KP is just plugs of dry skin around the hair follicles. And like dry skin in general, KP tends to be more apparent in cold weather.
Photo courtesy of The Primary Care Dermatology Society
Fortunately, keratosis pilaris is harmless, so you don’t need to treat it. But if it is uncomfortable or the appearance bothers you, there are treatments that can be helpful. Here are some general tips:
1) Exfoliate: Use a loofah or rough washcloth with a moisturizing cleanser in the bath or shower to soften the bumps. Be gentle; do not aggressively scrub. Exfoliate once a day as needed.
2) Shower quickly: Long hot showers/baths tend to dry the skin and may worsen KP.
3) Hydrate: Use a moisturizer immediately after bathing. Creams are better than lotions; helpful ingredients that are available in several over the counter products include lactic acid, urea, salicylic acid and/or ceramides. Moisturizing 2-3 times daily, more be even more helpful.
4) Humidify: Place a humidifier in the home, particularly during the cold winter months.
5) Maintain: Treat your skin with exfoliation and hydration at least a few times a week. Since you cannot cure KP, this maintenance regimen is key.
For stubborn or more extensive KP, see your dermatologist for a customized therapeutic approach. Possible treatments include:
1) Prescription emollients and/or chemical exfoliators
2) Antibiotic creams or pills if bacteria infect the lesions
3) Topical corticosteroids or immunomodulators
4) Retinoid pills for extensive involvement
5) Lasers to reduce redness or to remove hair
We at SkinCare Physicians wish you a very cozy winter, with smooth and comfortable skin!
Is it safe to use Amlactin 12% lotion on infant 12mo?
We recommend that you ask this question to your infant’s pediatrician or provider.
Thanks very much for this information, my son has this on his upper arms (he is now 4). I’m going to try Amlactin 12% lotion, as you’ve suggested. Thanks again:)
I want to know the treatment for that disease
If you have followed the tips recommended in this blog post, but still want prescription advice, we suggest consulting with your medical provider.
What’s a good medicine sir?
For prescription therapeutic advice, we suggest you consult with your health care provider.
Hi, i definitely have kp and have been trying to manage it by myself by keeping my arms dry i went to the gp about it and she gave me a really thick cream to apply, which surprisingly made it worse so ive reverted back to keeping them dry, is this unusual? either way its still not cleared, i can see youve recommended Amlactin 12% a few times, would you say this is thick and also my main problem is the scarring (my own fault but it’s become a bit of a subconcious habit to squeeze)
Amlactin 12% lotion is what I would recommendfor keratosis pilaris. Amlactin 12% cream is much thicker and harder to spread.
I took my teenage son to the doctor and they said that his bumps was keratosis Pilaris. He has a small amount on his upper arms, and it’s more aggressive on his chest. Everywhere that I have read has not mentioned anything about the breakout being on the chest. Can keratosis Pilaris appear on the chest? What would be the best routine for treatment? And what should I use?
Keratosis Pilaris (KP) is most commonly seen on the backs of arms and tops of thighs, as well as on the cheeks in children. However, it can also occur on the torso. The treatment is the same as KP located on the extremities.
Hi! I have KP on my arms and my cheeks. the KP on my cheeks has a like pink color to the skin underneath, is that normal? also am I able to get rid of it if it’s on my face?
Will fragrance affect KP?
Background redness of the skin underneath the bumps of keratosis pilaris is very common, particularly on the face. It is difficult to treat, but does tend to get better naturally with time. Until then, the use of skin moisturizers, preferably ones that are fragrance free, is the standard treatment.
Can keratosis pilaris cause hives? Or be accompanied by hives? I’ve always had KP but now I’m starting to notice hives too!
Hives is not typically associated with keratosis pilaris. I suggest consulting with your medical provider.
My son is having same symptoms… and I thought that the Dead Sea mud would be helpful as many dermatologists recommend it for all skin problems. My question is: is it OK to apply it
It is not certain whether applying Dead Sea mud improves keratosis pilaris. However, trying it is unlikely to be harmful.
Is there any medicine or cream available to treat keratosis pilaris? My child, age 10, has a lot on his checks and shoulders.
Although there is no cure for keratosis pilaris, the appearance and symptoms can be improved with any moisturizing lotion. One of my favorites is Amlactin 12% lotion for the body. The face is a more sensitive area, so I typically start with emollients containing ceramide such as CeraVe facial lotion. Topical retinoids, such as adapalene, can also be useful.
Is there any medicine or lotion available for this ?
Although there is no cure for keratosis pilaris, the appearance and symptoms can be improved with any moisturizing lotion. One of my favorites is Amlactin 12% lotion.
Hi, How to get rid of kp? I’m using lotion Jergens. Is that okay? If not what lotion will you recommend and soap? Thank you very much.
Although there is no cure for keratosis pilaris, the appearance and symptoms can be improved with any moisturizing lotion, including Jergens. Another one of my favorites is Amlactin 12% lotion.
Can keratosis pilaris becomr itchy ??
Yes, keratosis pilaris can be occasionally itchy. If applying over-the-counter emollients are not helpful, it might be useful to consult with a dermatologist to discuss a prescription cream option.
How do you get rid of pimples on your hands?
There are a number of rashes that can look like pimples on hands. We suggest consultation with a dermatologist for an assessment.
I’m pretty sure my son may have this condition from everything I’ve read about it online. I myself have eczema, but it’s on my fingers and toes around my cuticles and occasionally in the middle of my palm. I no this is a different type of eczema, but I’m pretty sure that his maternal grandmother has the same bumps on her arms. I have a prescription cream, Fluocinonide, could I try this on his arms to see if it helps? He’s 14 and around 110lbs if that makes a difference?
For prescription therapeutic advice, we suggest you consult with your personal health care provider.
Can this randomly develop in adults? I’m 23 and never had this before in my life but the other day I noticed both of my arms were covered in tiny bumps
Yes, keratosis pilaris absolutely can first appear in adulthood. It is sometimes seen after pregnancy, but otherwise it can arise randomly.
Hi,i have a family member who has rosacea and another with KP and i know how to treat it on my arms but i think i might have it on my cheeks? i am not exactly sure if i have it on my cheeks but there slightly red and there bumps like on my arms but more small. Also could it be a mix of both?
Although frequently seen in children, keratosis pilaris on the face in adults is less common. I suggest to consult with a dermatologist.