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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Alternative KP Treatments?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
Alternative KP Treatments?
by Nick, Sep 23, 2000 12:00AM
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
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
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Sep 24, 2000 12:00AM
, Sep 24, 2000 12:00AM
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
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
