Alternative KP Treatments?

Hello Dr. Rockoff,

I stumbled accross this forum and I loved reading your replies to cases concerning keratosis pilaris (KP).

I am 24 years old (male) and I was diagnosed with KP about 2 years ago. I mostly ignored it for some time before that (it didn't hurt and it wasn't itching so I just didn't pay much attention to it). Since then I saw a dermatologist and she prescribed Lac-Hydrin (with loofah) and Tretinoin cream treatment. This has worked very well over the past year. Whenever KP comes back and skin becomes bumpy, I start with treatment. My case is also strange because I also have bumps on my belly (and on shoulders, of course)... thigh area is clear though. Is that rare?

I know that KP is hereditary (my grandfather had it but my mom did not) but I did not notice any symptoms until recently. I do not know the reason why but I think it has to do with my exposure to sun. Up until I was 17 I've been spending (reguraly) summers at Florida with my grandparents and I've been getting a lot of sun during those 2 months every year. When I stopped going to Florida, I think, that is when I saw first signs of KP.

My questions are:

1) Would more sun exposure (through tanning) help? How much tanning would you recommend? I'm a white male with mildly brown complexion (i.e. my skin is not pearly white).

2) Does addition of extra Vitamin A in diet help? I'm asking this because I know that KP occurs in some patients who have vitamin A deficiency.

3) Would depilation (with laser or creams) eliminate/help KP?

Thank you very much!

Nick

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Nick:

Tanning would not change th condition one way or another.  Neither would depilation (hair removal).  Too much Vitamin A can produce a KP-like rash, so I'd stay away from that, beyond the regular daily dose.

Most cases I see flucuate for no particular reason.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff