Avoid shaving or waxing skin with KP as it may cause more bumps to appear.
The clogged pores can cause inflammation or redness in the area, and they make the skin look and feel rough. Dry skin, cold weather, pregnancy, high levels of estrogen, shaving, or waxing can all make KP worse.
Dry skin tends to make keratosis pilaris worse.
Shaving aggravates the bumps and can be painful, whilst waxing is notorious for causing ingrown hairs -- the last thing you want when you have keratosis pilaris! Cream is gentle on the skin and results in the smoothest finish.
Avoid harsh, drying soaps. Gently remove dead skin with a washcloth or loofah. Vigorous scrubbing or removal of hair follicle plugs may irritate the skin and worsen the condition. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot the skin with a towel so that some moisture remains.
Take short showers and baths: To prevent drying your skin, take a short (20 minutes or less) bath or shower and use warm rather than hot water. Also, limit bathing to once a day. Use a mild cleanser: Bar soap can dry your skin.
These bumps do not tend to itch or hurt. This skin disorder cannot be cured or prevented. However, it can be managed with moisturizers and prescription creams to improve the appearance of the skin. KP normally disappears by the age of 30.
Q: How often should I exfoliate if I have keratosis pilaris? A: Exfoliating 2-3 times per week is generally recommended for treating keratosis pilaris. This frequency helps remove dead skin cells and keratin buildup without over-exfoliating, which can irritate the skin.
Is keratosis pilaris caused by a vitamin deficiency? Keratosis pilaris may have a link to vitamin A deficiency. Taking vitamin A supplements or using moisturizers or creams with small amounts of vitamin A may help treat keratosis pilaris.
Pustules are a type of pimple that contains yellowish pus. They are larger than whiteheads and blackheads. Home remedies and over-the-counter creams may help treat pustules. Pustules appear either as red bumps with white centers or as white bumps that are hard and often tender to the touch.
The Cerave SA Lotion is a favorite among our experts to help reduce keratosis pilaris symptoms.
Keratosis pilaris tends to be worse in the dry winter months. It can also be worsened by clothing that is too tight or too thick and causes friction with the affected areas. Self-care tips to improve the appearance of keratosis pilaris include: Moisturize your skin daily with a non-fragranced, cream-based moisturizer.
Scraping (curettage) or shaving the skin's surface.
First your doctor will numb the area and then use a scalpel blade to remove the growth. Sometimes shaving or scraping is used along with cryosurgery to treat thinner or flat growths.
Razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae) are another condition that can occur due to shaving. Ingrown hairs can cause a condition called pseudofolliculitis barbae, which is a type of folliculitis. Folliculitis occurs when a hair follicle becomes infected or inflamed.
Moisturize the skin with a thick, pol-free moisturizing cream or ointment that contains urea or lactic acid immediately after showering while the skin is still damp or whenever it feels dry. Avoid shaving or waxing skin with KP as it may cause more bumps to appear. If shaving is necessary, use a single-blade razor.
Seborrheic keratoses are also called "skin barnacles." They tend to form during adulthood and are typically brown in color with a "stuck-on" appearance. These lesions are usually harmless, but you may want to have them removed for aesthetic reasons.
What is the best treatment for seborrheic keratosis at home? Some topical products that treat seborrheic keratosis are available without a prescription, including 0.1% tazarotene cream and alpha hydroxy acid products. A person who wishes to treat their condition at home should speak with a doctor for a recommendation.
Causes of keratosis pilaris
Keratosis pilaris happens when your hair follicles become blocked with a build-up of keratin, a substance found in skin, hair and nails. Nobody knows exactly why keratin builds up, but the condition is thought to run in families. So if your parents have it, you may get it too.
While there is no cure, KP treatment often helps and includes moisturizing regularly, gently exfoliating, and using creams with ingredients such as urea or alpha-hydroxy acids. A person can speak with a dermatologist for prescription or laser treatments for more stubborn cases.
Keratosis pilaris is harmless, so it doesn't need to be treated. You and your child should not pick or squeeze the bumps. This can cause scarring. Your child may notice more bumps or redness after starting treatment.
Although diet is not a cause of keratosis pilaris, intake of foods contributing to inflammation, may lead to or worsen the symptoms, so it is advisable to avoid foods causing inflammation. Those with keratosis pilaris should avoid the consumption of dairy products, soy, peanuts, trans fats, sugar and processed foods.
Gentle exfoliation can help clear away build-up of dead skin cells that can exacerbate KP symptoms. You may want to try using a loofah sponge or an exfoliating scrub with natural ingredients such as sugar or ground coffee beans once or twice per week.
Unlike treatments that offer temporary relief of keratosis pilaris, laser hair removal can provide longer-lasting effects. How? By destroying hair follicles. Less hair growth can significantly reduce the recurrence of KP-related bumps, leading to smoother skin in the treated areas.