Help! My baby has chicken skin!
How to handle keratosis pilarsis & kids

At some point or another, nearly everyone has experienced those tiny, hard bumps of extremely rough, dry skin that can emerge on the upper arms, thighs, buttocks and other areas of the body especially in the cold winter months; and those who have children may be surprised to find this condition on their babies or kids as well.

These annoying bumpy patches, commonly referred to as "chicken skin," are caused by an actual condition called keratosis pilarsis (KP). KP is extremely common it affects nearly 50 percent of the worlds population and even more so in kids, with 50 to 80 percent of all children affected. Yet most people with KP are unaware that not only is there a designated medical term for the condition, but that treatment exists.

Parents who notice KP on their kids need not be alarmed or think they did anything to cause it. Keratosis pilaris is actually hereditary, inherited as an autosomal dominant gene (similar to the brown vs. blue eye color phenomenon). All it takes is a single gene from either parent to find oneself with less than perfectly smooth skin. Parents of kids with KP may or may not have had the condition themselves in the past.

Although it is aesthetically displeasing, KP is medically harmless. While it may become exaggerated at puberty, it frequently improves with age. Though it may not be able to be "cured," it is certainly controllable if you choose to treat it.

KP occurs because the process of keratinization (the formation of epidermal skin) is faulty. Surplus skin cells build up around individual hair follicles. Sometimes a hair is unable to reach the surface and becomes trapped beneath the debris. During puberty, this can trigger follicular acne.

Treating KP is all about smoothing away the bumps. Using dermatologist recommended therapy helps eliminate the bumps, improve skin texture, eliminate acne-causing plugs and improve overall appearance getting rid of the "chicken skin" look.

DERMAdoctor KP Duty Dermatologist Moisturizing Therapy For Dry Skin is the first product specifically designed to treat this chronic skin condition, and it can safely be used on children over two years old as well as women who are pregnant. It is fragrance and dye free.

DERMAdoctor founder Audrey Kunin, M.D. has found that keratosis pilarsis responds best to a multi-therapeutic approach. "In my experience single ingredient products or routines don't do nearly as well as combination therapy," she says. "So I sat down and tried to combine the best active agents into a single cream targeted at keratosis pilaris."

DERMAdoctor KP Duty Dermatologist Moisturizing Therapy For Dry Skin combines high potency dermatologist strength glycolic acid and urea with green tea. The alpha hydroxy acid and urea work as a combination chemical exfoliant and humectant, eliminating bumps and softening the skin. Green tea contains EGCG to fight the inflammation that causes the formation of post inflammatory skin discoloration commonly seen in KP.

This is a great active moisturizer for dry skin concerns, no matter what your skin type. Independent clinical trials showed that 94 percent of subjects with moderate to severe cases of keratosis pilaris had clinical improvement after using KP Duty over a six-week period.

AmLactin Moisturizing Body Cream is another good option for moisturizing, exfoliating and softening rough, dry skin, especially on the hands, elbows and heels. This formulation contains 12 percent lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid and naturally occurring humectant for the skin.

As with all skin care products, you should check with a pediatrician first before using on children under two. Impruv Deep Moisturizing Lotion is a good product that is appropriate for young children, particularly if treating areas on the face, however very severe cases may require prescription remedies. For small infants, a basic, over-the-counter remedy such as Aquaphor, Eucerin or Aveeno, may be more appropriate.

In addition to intensive moisturizing, Adults and children over two with KP can help fight the condition by exfoliating with DERMAdoctor KP Duty Dermatologist Body Scrub with Chemical + Physical Medi-Exfoliation. Medical-quality exfoliation requires more than just scrubbing. Dry skin, flaky patches and KP bumps are held together by bonds that physical exfoliation alone cant break. KP Duty Body Scrub acts as a chemical peel and microdermabrasion session in one, allowing dermatologist-recommended skin therapies including glycolic, lactic and azelaic acids to provide deeper, more thorough results.

Smooth, non-abrasive synthetic beads lift away dead skin cells without inflicting trauma to the epidermis. Calming, anti-redness agents including green tea, willow bark and algae extracts prevent irritation and sensitivity, leaving the resurfaced skin soft, smooth and radiant. KP Duty Body Scrub only needs to be used once or twice a week to help ward off dreaded chicken skin bumps. Hypoallergenic with no dyes or irritants, it is great for all skin types.

The important thing to remember in treating children of any age with keratosis pilarsis is that this common, genetic condition cannot hurt them and does not even require treatment. Chances are it bothers you more than it bothers them, but if you choose to treat your childs KP, just be sure to read all package warnings on any treatments to ensure they are age-appropriate, and consult your pediatrician before applying any products to a child under age two.

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