What Is Keratosis Pilaris
March 17, 2010 by
Filed under Featured Articles
For an average person, you try your best to look after you skin so that it stays young-looking as long as possible. However for many others, making their skin look young is the least of their problems, especially if they suffer from the skin disorder keratosis pilaris.
Keratosis pilaris is a skin condition where white bumps (sometimes reddish with white in them) develop on the skin, particularly on the back of the upper arms, thighs and buttocks. It is not common for these bumps to appear on the face but there are cases in which they do. Although they are not itchy and do not cause any health problems, keratosis pilaris can do damage to a sufferer’s ego or self esteem. They resemble pimples or acne, but when you prick them the substance that comes out is not pus like, but more like a hard white grain of sand. The people that suffer from this skin condition do not usually know that they have it, and most would likely mistake it for something else altogether.
There is no cure for keratosis pilaris as of this time. It is a chronic skin condition. Unfortunately if you have it, you have it for life. It is common for it to get better or even worse over time. The cause of it is still unknown, but this type of skin disorder is associated with genetics; meaning to say that if someone in your family has it or previously had it, there is a good chance that you or your children will have it too. The only thing you can do if you have it is to treat the symptoms and avoid the triggers that can cause it to get worse.
Treating keratosis pilaris differs from person to person. Every individual reacts differently to every medication. Some prescribed medicines, keratosis pilaris creams and keratosis pilaris products will work on some sufferers, while for others it can often make the condition worse. It is important to understand how to treat keratosis pilaris and what you can do to prevent new patches from forming. It is also important that you are educated about the skin condition so that you understand it. This will help in finding an effective treatment plan.
Dove products are one of the most popular products as keratosis pilaris treatment because they are very moisturizing to the skin and are not considered to be harsh on skin. It is better to use a body wash that has a lot of moisturizing elements in it because the skin disorder is triggered by a very dry skin. Keeping it extra moisturized, especially during winter months will make the condition less aggravating.
Exfoliation is also a great treatment for keratosis pilaris. While bathing, use a body wash with a loofah or a sponge and scrub on the affected area. Do this once or twice a day and as well as moisturizing after bathing.
There are many available keratosis pilaris treatment nowadays. Finding the right treatment for you may mean a lot of trial and error, but once you find something that works, be consistent in including it in your everyday regime. Do not let yourself become lax when you see improvement in your condition. Remember that keratosis pilaris is a lifelong condition and keeping up with the different treatments as they are discovered is a must.
