How to Treat Keratosis Pilaris: 5 Simple Steps (Red Bumps on Your Skin)

Do you have red bumps on the back of your arms and thighs? If they don't itch and seem like goose-bumps that won't go away, you probably have the hereditary, harmless (but annoying) condition known as Keritosis Pilaris (also known as "chicken skin" or KP).

KP is the result of a build-up of a protein called keratin. The buildup forms a plug in the opening of hair follicles, resulting in many red, raised bumps.

Here's how to get rid of the red bumps and manage your keratosis pilaris.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• See Resources for recommended products

1. EXFOLIATE WITH A GENTLE SCRUB: Abrasive scrubbing of keratosis pilaris-affected skin can worsen the condition, so opt to unblock your skin with a gentle scrub that contains alpha-hydroxy or ureic acids. Look for products that also contain skin-soothers, such as green tea or aloe, to keep skin from becoming inflamed. See Resources for recommended products.

2. AVOID HOT WATER: Rather than skin-inflaming hot water, opt for showers and baths with luke-warm or tepid water. You might think that the high heat will open your pores and clean out the keratin, but hot water will just inflame your skin and increase the redness.

3. EXFOLIATE WITH LOTIONS: Lotions containing AHA (alpha hydroxy) acids, lactic acids, ureic acids, and glycolic acids can go a long way toward unblocking your follicles and reducing the bumpiness of your skin. Again, look for products that combine the effective acid with botanicals that calm irritated skin. See Resources below for recommended products.

4. SOOTHE YOUR SKIN: If you overdo exfoliation or acid-based lotions, or if you're experiencing a flair-up, go easy on your skin. Skip the specialized treatments, and instead use oatmeal-based products (such as Aveeno) to calm you skin for a few days.

5. CONSULT A DERMATOLOGIST: If things get too rough, and you cannot satisfactorily manage your keratosis pilaris using drugstore or specialty products, consult a dermatologist. She will be able to prescribe medical-grade creams containing higher concentrations of acids. Treatment may include:
   
   * Retin-A Micro, Avita, and Tazorac: These retinoids (vitamin A-based topicals) can increase the rate at which your skin sheds and produces new skin cells, which in turn can prevent plugging. However, redness, dryness and peeling may occur.
   
   * Lac-Hydrin, 12%: This lotion smoothes skin very effectively. Be aware, however, that your skin may retain an ammonia odor, and that the redness will not subside using this product alone.
   
   * Keralac and Carmol. These urea-based lotions work well to soften skin and remove the keratin build-up. However, they may sting or irritate your skin.

Tips & Warnings

• While you may want to attack your skin with abrasives, acids, and a sand grinder, go easy. It may take a few weeks to really see results, and being too aggressive will only result in more redness and irritation.
• Don't pick at the bumps. Doing to can result in scarring.

Resources

• KITS: Glytone Keratosis Pilaris Kit
• KITS: DERMAdoctor Keratosis Pilaris Regimen Kit`
• LOTION: Lubriderm Advanced Therapy
• LOTION: Lac-Hydrin 5 (over-the counter strength)
• LOTION: AmLactin XL Cream

[princessg]

on 6/8/2009 Thank you, that's all I can say!!!!!!

[MissAudrey]

on 5/12/2009 I've suffered with this for years now; many people think it's acne but it definitely is not. Great tips that I will definitely refer to! 5*