Keratosis Pilaris

What is Keratosis Pilaris (KP)?

KP is a chronic condition of dry, rough skin on the upper arms. The skin feels like sandpaper with many tiny bumps.

The bumpy skin can also occur on the outer thighs and the buttocks. The skin remains a normal color. KP does not cause any pain. Sometimes it can be itchy. Most children with KP also have dry skin. KP affects 30% of children and adults.

What is the cause?

KP is a genetic disorder that causes plugs of dead skin cells to build up in the hair follicles. It’s made worse by too much bathing and soap. Soap removes the skin’s natural protective oils. Once they are gone, the skin can’t hold moisture. Dry climates make it worse, as does winter weather and forced air heating.

With treatment, the skin should feel softer within 1 week. However, the bumps will never go away. Most people with KP have it all their life

How can I take care of my child?

• Soap and Bathing

  Young children with KP should avoid all soaps. Soaps take the natural protective oils out of the skin. Bubble bath does the most damage. For young children, the skin can be cleansed with warm water alone. Keep bathing to 10 minutes or less.

  Most young children only need to bathe twice a week. Teenagers can get by with using soap only for the armpits, genitals, and feet. Also, use a mild soap such as Dove. Never use any soap on the areas with KP. This is very important.

• Moisturizing Cream

  Buy a large bottle of moisturizing cream. Avoid creams with fragrances. Put the cream on the KP areas 2 times per day.

  After warm water baths or showers, trap the moisture in the skin by putting on the cream quickly. Apply the cream within 3 minutes of completing the bath. During the winter, apply the cream on all every day to prevent dry skin.

• Steroid Cream

  Usually KP is not itchy unless you scrub it with soap. For very itchy spots, use 1% hydrocortisone cream. No prescription is needed. Use up to 2 times per day as needed until the itching is better. Eventually, the moisturizing cream will be all that you need for treating KP.

• Prescription Creams

  There are some peeling agents that make KP look somewhat better. But they are expensive and only give improvement while they are being used. When you stop, the bumpiness will come back. There is no cream that can cure KP

• Humidifier

  If your winters are dry, protect your child's skin from the constant drying effect. Do this by running a room humidifier full time.

What can be done to prevent keratosis pilaris?

Most importantly, don't use soaps or bubble bath. Bubble bath is very hard on the skin. Also limit the use of swimming pools or hot tubs because pool chemicals are very drying. Finally, in the wintertime, run a humidifier to protect the skin from dryness

When should I call my child’s health care provider?

• After 2 weeks of treatment, the KP is not better.
• Your child becomes worse.
• You have other concerns or questions.