Child with keratosis pilaris on face

[Ostagazuzulum]

Hi, can anyone offer any advice. My 10 year old has keratosis pilaris on her face (cheeks) it's quite sore and she has lots of bumps, redness and whitehead type spots.
We went to see the nhs dermatologist two years ago who insisted it was childhood acne, gave her a drying lotion on a repeat prescription and discharged us back to gp. The lotion made it a lot worse.

I've finally had another visit with different gp, this time they've said its keratosis pilaris. They took photos and sent them to dermatologist to review, who confirmed that diagnosis. GP phoned me and has said it's lifelong condition and nothing they can do, just wash and moisturise in unscented products and use luke warm water. We've been doing that for about a year or more (I stopped using prescribed lotion ages ago as it was clearly aggravating it). We've tried various products such as liz Earle and have now settled on a la Roche posts cream wash and moisturiser.

It's still very noticeable and is affecting her confidence. Is there anything else I can do? Is it worth going to see a private dermatologist?

Has anyone been through this? I just want to help her. Thanks x

It might not be that in fact it probably isn’t, on the body ameliorate is good for pilaris, But you cannot go in sunlight. There is a new cream in U.K. called “cerave” it is on asos or amazon and contains cholesterol. There have been many studies recently in porokeratosis getting cured with cholesterol. I would try that cream.

And YES private dermatologist they will listen to you and there are private paediatric ones too. It’s about £130 for the consultation.

Child’s farm moisturiser minimises my sons on his arms and legs but doesn’t take it away completely. I notice if I’ve forgotten to use it though!
I hope you find an answer.

Thank you both!

Hi,
I have it and my DS also has it. I find it gets better in the summer, or when it hot countries, and has improved gradually with older adulthood. Aveeno is good.

Both my dds have this mildly. Older uses a Beauty Pie enzyme mask every now and again that seems to leave her skin much smoother, and Ren skincare daily which moisturises without irritating her skin. She does sometimes use Ameliorate and it works, but if she overdoes it she reacts, so go carefully.

Mine disappeared completely when I cut out carbs and sugar. Maybe reducing sugar might help her?

It can be a reaction to gluten in some people I read. Try going gluten free for a week or so to see if it makes a difference.

DH and DD1 have it, badly on their arms and DD1 had it on her face when she was younger but seems to have grown out of it. She tried ameliorate but found it too sticky, recently she’s used a Dove Pro-age body lotion which has improved it and it’s a nicer texture (and not as expensive). It’s meant to be for older skin but it’s got AHA’s in it which help smooth skin.

Gold bond rough and bunny worked really well in my 9 year olds face and arms, it's working slower on my arms but mine are worse than my son's. It's left his skin really soft and smooth I'd say an 80 percent improvement in a few weeks

Oops rough and bumpy even!

Hi I read somewhere that this could be linked to gluten intolerance so it could be worth doing an elimination diet and seeing if that has any effect

My DD can't use Ameliorate on her face as it causes redness, but it works well on her arms. On her face the only thing that seems to help is using a rough towel after a bath then smother in Child's Farm baby moisturiser. It makes her skin noticeably softer and smoother, but doesn't get rid of it completely. She even gets them in her eye brows and on her ears poor thing. She doesn't seem that bothered about them really, but she does pick at the bumps which can make it look really angry.

CereVe smoothing cleanser.
The salicylic acid might help.to break down the bumps.

I have kp quite badly everywhere and I had it as a child. I was really embarrassed by it growing up.
In the past few years I've been using eucerin urea day and night cream on my face and that has made a huge difference to my cheeks
I also use a high % urea body lotion but I'm not sure if that is safe for children. It's quite sticky
I use sanex clarifying shower gel too.
I use the eucerin and sanex on my son with kp but he hates body lotion so he stays scaly for now

I get this occasionally on my arms and use a cream with high urea and it disappears again. Due to moving countries a lot I’ve tried several different brands and anything with 10% urea seems to work.

Also in agreement that a Urea cream is the answer!

My son has this, Eucerin urea cream works on him.

Hi, I have this and so does my dd who's 14. We find that mild chemical exfoliators help to keep it at bay and moisturising well. A toner or lotion with salicylic or glycolic acid helps- applied to the cheek area at night and followed with a simple moisturiser. We use products from Paula's Choice. Also try a urea cream as others have said. A bit of sun helps too!

Both me and ds have it he has it on his face, there is a boots toner that has salicylic acid it and that’s really good. Also lactic acid would help, you just need a very gentle exfoliate

Hi I saw your message re eucerin cream for cheeks ,can you tell me the exact one you use as there seems to be a few thanks