Keratosis Pilaris and Eczema

Updated on March 11, 2013
C.F. asks from Naperville, IL
10 answers

Hello,
My daughter is 9 months old and was recently diagnosed by her pediatrician with keratosis pilaris (KP). This condition is on her face - basically her entire cheek area. She also has eczema (diagnosed with that at 6 weeks), which was under control until she developed the KP. Now it seems she has both.

I have done some reading and am discouraged about the fact that there is no known cure for the KP. Do any of you have any experience with a baby with this condition? Were you able to successfully treat it? Did the child grow out of it?

Thanks...

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D.V.

answers from Chicago on

I have a special CD which I would love to share with you. It's called "Raising Healthy Kids in a Pizza- Pop Tart World". There are a couple of stories on this CD that gives solutions to similar problems. I'd be happy to get it in the mail today.

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J.R.

answers from New York on

I had eczema as a kid. The Dr. said it was some sort of food allergy that we never pinned down. I later developed lactose intolerance and have read that it can be related. I am a bit stubborn and I love milk and cheese products. I grew out of the eczema, however I have keratosis pilaris on my arms and worse on my thighs. Its really weird, but sometimes if I refuse (as I do) for long enough to not stop eating the dairy products, the normal reaction to lactose intolerance goes away for a little bit, but i get the eczema back on my elbows. I know thats really strange and I've never actually met anyone else that that happens to.
Like Jessica S. said, the KP is completely cosmetic. I find its better in summer, and worse in winter (dry skin and all) and that being consistent with lotion has worked for me in my adult years. It is what it is. I'm also very fair skinned and need a lot of sunblock in the summer to not burn, somehow this also helps. Probably because it moisturizes my legs. But baby skin is so sensitive I wouldn't use anything that isnt recommended for children.

Maybe ask the Dr. if he thinks its a food allergy (or milk allergy to be specific) like it was/is for me.

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K.M.

answers from Milwaukee on

You can try Am Lactin Cream Lotion from Walgreens. It used to be perscription only for KP. But like the other mom said most skin issues are food allergies. Sometimes we forget that you can have an allergy to something without a full blown reaction like your throat closing up. Good luck. If you stay on top of it it will get better or at least be minimal.

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J.S.

answers from Boston on

I have KP on my arms and legs and have since I was a child. I was told most grow out of it by their 20's but unfortunately I haven't. I hope your daughter will. I haven't found any products that significantly improve it. However, I have learned to live with it and luckily it's only cosmetic. I had some eczema as a baby but did grow out of that. There are a few KP related websites where people share their remedies, but I would be cautious with a baby. You may try modifying her diet to see if there's anything that makes the eczema worse. Other than that I just send my understanding to you. It's frustrating, but in the end there are a lot worse things...

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My son has (had) KP. It is y understanding that it is generally outgrown and my son is proof of that. He's 7 and I don't see it anymore.

As for the eczema--watch the dairy and use Dove soap only. Free & Clear detergent, etc.

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D.W.

answers from Nashville on

I am 23 years old and I have Keratosis Pilaris. I was diagonosed at 16 but didnt start getting symptoms until about age 13.

It is genetic so it is likely that my daughter will have it also.

Every one says you grow out of it...I'm not sure about that yet as I haven't hit my 30s.
I exfoliate my arms (I have it mostly on my upper arms and forearms) in the shower with a loofa. Then I apply hydrocortison cream after I get out of the shower. The sun does lessen the appearance of KP bc it is basically a build up of keratin in the skin and the sun exposes your skin to the keratin. In the winter my arms look especially bad, red, raw looking, and little bumps covering them. In the summer the redness goes away and i just get a few bumps here an there.
I know you cant really take a baby out and let him/her sit in the sun but I just wanted to let you know that there are ways to lessen the appearance of it as your child grows.

My advice to you would be to not make your child extra aware of it as he/she grows older. I have a nasty habit of picking at the bumps ever since I was diagonsed with it and it leaves my skin very very red and blotchy. So try not to make a big deal of it and maybe he/she wont even notice it to much.

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I.D.

answers from Chicago on

I was researching this myself yesterday and I found a place that talks about the benefits of things at home. It said organic apple cider vinegar is good for eczema and I'm going to try it on my daughter. Here is one link but there are many more. I also believe that the rash is an allergic reaction. I also believe some probiotics will help to add good bacteria to the colon and can be beneficial as well. I hope it works!!http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar.html

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T.S.

answers from Phoenix on

I have had both all my life. I use vasaline intensive care lotion on my "good days" and when it gets bad I use amlactin or aquifor. Always lotion right after a bath and do not rub the skin with a towel, pat it dry as the rubbing makes the skin flare up.... KP is also related with allergies, you may find that as she gets older or even now that she has allergies and may need a daily anti-histamine. My KP is mainly on my face, legs and arms; my arms are typically the worst. Do not use perfumed lotions EVER, it makes both conditions flare up. I use sensetive soaps, like dove and aveno. Laundry soap can affect it to. I use ALL free & clear. Best of luck to you and your little bundle of joy!

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J.W.

answers from Chicago on

My now 2 year old daughter has KP and it comes and goes, but is no longer as bad as it was. Fish oil and other Omega's seem to help quite a bit. You'll also begin to notice patterns of when it is better/worse.

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A.H.

answers from Davenport on

My 9 month old was diagnosed with KP a little over a month ago. His pediatrician said that it was eczema/dry skin and I wasn't convinced so I took him to a dermatalogist and instantly he said it was KP. He has it on his upper arms and on his cheeks (severly on his cheeks). They are all pimply looking and red. I have tried Amlactin (didn't use very long because I didn't like putting it on my babies face). I have tried Eucerin, Cerave, Aveeno Eczema, Coconut Oil, Flaxseed Oil and have seen no improvements. We went for our 9 month check up last week and the doctor told us again that he thinks it's eczema/dry skin (we didn't tell him we went to a derm). He gave us some samples of Aquafor and then gave us a prescription of a steriod cream. Then, before we left he did say that what is on his face, could be KP, like what is on his arms. My husband asked that if it was KP on his face, would this cream help clear it up and the dr said yes. We've been on it for 2 days now and I have seen no improvement in a week to call him. I'm wondering if it is from some food that he's been eating because this didn't start until we started him out on solids at 6 months. I'm really hoping that with the warmer temps coming, that it will get better.

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