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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Keratosis Pilaris
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Keratosis Pilaris
by Nick, Jan 02, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Dr.
My 10 year old daughter has a skin condition called keratosis pilaris which makes her cheeks appear red along with small bumps on her upper arms and legs.
At her age the red cheeks have become a reason for self consciousness.
We've seen a few dermotologists and tried many perscribed creams, none make it disappear.
First question is whether there is an alternate approach we can try.
Second question, what percentage of children outgrow this condition and at what age.
Also I keep reading that it is hereditary. I had a very mild skin condition as an infant and young child which at the time wasn't diagnosed as keratosis pilaris, it practically disappeared when I was 6 or 7 years of age. My daugthers is quite different, any connection?
Thanks,
Nick
My 10 year old daughter has a skin condition called keratosis pilaris which makes her cheeks appear red along with small bumps on her upper arms and legs.
At her age the red cheeks have become a reason for self consciousness.
We've seen a few dermotologists and tried many perscribed creams, none make it disappear.
First question is whether there is an alternate approach we can try.
Second question, what percentage of children outgrow this condition and at what age.
Also I keep reading that it is hereditary. I had a very mild skin condition as an infant and young child which at the time wasn't diagnosed as keratosis pilaris, it practically disappeared when I was 6 or 7 years of age. My daugthers is quite different, any connection?
Thanks,
Nick
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jan 02, 2000 12:00AM
, Jan 02, 2000 12:00AM
Nick:
Keratosis pilaris is a hereditary condition in which keratin protein gathers in hair openings. (That's waht "pilaris" means.)
Kerain is what hair, nails, and top layer of skin are made of.
When kids get it on their face, they generally grow out of it around puberty or shortly thereafter.
it usually perists on the outer arms or legs, though.
Moisturizing and scruffing with a loofah sponge or Buf-Puf help, but need to be kept up and are usually not worth the effort in kids the age of your daughter, unless she wants to.
Best wishes.
Dr. R
Keratosis pilaris is a hereditary condition in which keratin protein gathers in hair openings. (That's waht "pilaris" means.)
Kerain is what hair, nails, and top layer of skin are made of.
When kids get it on their face, they generally grow out of it around puberty or shortly thereafter.
it usually perists on the outer arms or legs, though.
Moisturizing and scruffing with a loofah sponge or Buf-Puf help, but need to be kept up and are usually not worth the effort in kids the age of your daughter, unless she wants to.
Best wishes.
Dr. R
I AM A 24 YR OLD MALE AND I TOO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH KERATOSIS PILARIS (OR WHATEVER) AND HAVE BEEN MODERATELY SUCCESSFULL AT CONTAINING THE REDDNESS. I AM MOR CONCERNED WITH THESE CONSTANT "BITE MARKS" OR HIVES, THAT ARE POPING UP ALL OVER MY FACE. I ALSO HAVE A KIND OF WHITE PIMPLES THAT MY DERMATOLOGIST PERSCRIBED SOME CREAM FOR, BUT THIS IS NOT MY CONCERN. I DO NOT HAVE FLEAS, OR ANY OTHER KIND OF VISABLE BUGS LIVING ON OR WITH ME. I HAVE BOMBED AND SPRAYED MY HOUSE MORE TIMES THAN I WISH TO COUNT. BUT STILL NUMEROUS TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY I RECIVE WHAT I CALL SMALL (SUMTIMES LARGER) 'BUG BITES". THE ARE USUALLY IN THE FACE OR NECK REIGION OR ON THE CHEST. SMALLER VERSIONS OF THESE BITES ALSO APPEAR ON MY ARMS AND LEGS. MY DOCTOR SAYS THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF FLEAS OF SCABIES. PLEASE HELP ME I THINK I AM LOOSING MY MIND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS ATTACKING ME DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
Hope this helps--
I have keratosis pilaris and I have tried every prescription
that is suppose to help control this type of skin
condition. I have used glycolic acids alphyhydroxide acids,
retina A and numerous others and I exfoliate on a daily basis with loofahs and nothing seems to work. My doctors had informed me that this skin condition is not curable. If they have cures for cystic acne why don't they have a cure for keratosis?
I can't wear short sleeve shirts because my arms look awful.
Please, do you have any other remedies that can make this
disappear?
Thanks for your help.
Reba
Thanks,
I am a 25yr old Male who disspite living in the Caribbean for a year, still suffer from a red face (when the tan goes after about four days I return to my reddnes). I used to work on a farm in all weather conditions and always put my condition down as a factor of that, but I still have it? I have never been diagnosed with any complaint, just always told about my rosy red cheeks giving me a "healthy" look that I would rather loose.
The reddnes is particulary in my cheeks, mostley upper. Any ideas what I can do to get rid of??
Joe
im 15..but ive had it since i was 11 or 12.
how long do i have to wait till it becomes better? ive been waiting 3 years. i recently just bought the expensive gels..im just angry that my doctor didnt send me to a specialist earlier....im very shy showing my arms and back...but my face is clear like anything. no pimples at all...its strange..and i just have to accept the fact that it is genetically sent down from my mother..yet is the any way i can make sure my children dont suffer the way im suffering?
Im not questiong the will of god,, but is there anyway i can burn all the dead skin and pimples...then regrow healthier skin...or is that just my dream?
I have really bad keratosis whatever my whole life, and I am 14. It makes me conscious of my arms and legs when I wear tank tops, shorts, and t-shirts. I spend a long time in the shower trying to scrub, and I have done this for about 2 years now, but I haven't noticed even the slight change! I am going crazy and I have a lot of homework and do mot have the time or patience to just sit there and scrub till it bleeds sometimes. My skin is soo nasty, bumpy and red!!!!PLease help me!
I have really bad keratosis whatever my whole life, and I am 14. It makes me conscious of my arms and legs when I wear tank tops, shorts, and t-shirts. I spend a long time in the shower trying to scrub, and I have done this for about 2 years now, but I haven't noticed even the slight change! I am going crazy and I have a lot of homework and do mot have the time or patience to just sit there and scrub till it bleeds sometimes. My skin is soo nasty, bumpy and red!!!!PLease help me!