Lakeside Family Medicine
Phone Number: 501-624-0070
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM- 5 PM
Address
124 Hollywood Avenue
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Physicians
Jamie Mullenix, MD
Ted Faro, DO
Great info from our FirstCare Team!Do your upper arms or cheeks happen to have tiny bumps that look like this?
Keratosis pilaris (ker-uh-TOE-sis pih-LAIR-is) causes dry, rough patches and tiny bumps, usually on the upper arms, thighs, cheeks or buttocks. The bumps generally don't hurt or itch. The rash is usually worse when seasonal changes cause low humidity (fall/winter) and skin tends to be drier. The skin may have sandpaper-like bumps resembling goose bumps.
Keratosis pilaris results from the buildup of keratin — a hard protein that protects skin from harmful substances and infection. The keratin forms a scaly plug that blocks the opening of the hair follicle. Usually many plugs form, causing patches of rough, bumpy skin.
Home remedies won't prevent keratosis pilaris or make it go away. But they may improve the appearance of the affected skin.
➡️Use warm water and limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from the skin. Limit bath or shower time to about 10 minutes or less. Use warm, not hot, water.
➡️Be gentle to the skin. Avoid harsh, drying soaps. Gently remove dead skin (exfoliate) with a washcloth or loofah. Vigorous scrubbing or removal of hair follicle plugs may irritate the skin and aggravate the condition. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot the skin with a towel so that some moisture remains.
➡️Try medicated creams. Apply an over-the-counter cream that contains urea (Nutraplus, Eucerin), lactic acid (AmLactin, Lac-Hydrin), alpha hydroxy acid or salicylic acid. These creams help loosen and remove dead skin cells. They also moisturize and soften dry skin. Put on this product before moisturizer.
➡️Moisturize. While the skin is still moist from bathing, apply a moisturizer that contains lanolin (Lansinoh, Medela), petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or glycerin (Glysolid). These ingredients soothe dry skin and help trap moisture. Thicker moisturizers work best, such as Eucerin and Cetaphil. Reapply the product to the affected skin several times a day.
➡️Use a humidifier. Low humidity dries out the skin. A portable home humidifier or one attached to your furnace will add moisture to the air inside your home.
➡️Avoid friction from tight clothes. Protect affected skin from the friction caused by wearing tight clothes.
Prescription treatments for KP:
🧴Creams to remove dead skin cells.
Creams containing alpha hydroxy acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid or urea help loosen and remove dead skin cells. They also moisturize and soften dry skin. Depending on their strength, these creams (topical exfoliants) are available over-the-counter or with a prescription. Your provider can advise you on the best option and how often to apply. The acids in these creams may cause redness, stinging or skin irritation, so they aren't recommended for young children.
🧴Creams to prevent plugged follicles.
Creams derived from vitamin A (topical retinoids) work by promoting cell turnover and preventing plugged hair follicles. Tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Avita) and tazarotene (Avage, Tazorac) are examples of topical retinoids. These products can irritate and dry the skin. Also, if you're pregnant or nursing, your provider may suggest delaying topical retinoid therapy or choosing another treatment.
Overall, KP is a common, harmless skin condition and the condition usually disappears by age 30. Come and see us if you need further assistance with feeling and looking as healthy as possible! 🏥