How to Help Someone with Keratosis Pilaris
Keratosis Pilaris… that may sound like a scary medical term and quite frankly, I was scared my entire family had it the first time I heard about it. Medical terms are always scary especially when it’s the first time you hear about them but let me tell you that this isn’t as scary as it may seem.
Keratosis Pilaris is just a fancy term for a common skin condition that causes dry, rough patches and tiny bumps, usually on the upper arms, thighs, cheeks, or buttocks. If you think someone you know may have it, then today’s post is going to help! We are teaming up with AmLactin to share How to Help Someone with Keratosis Pilaris.
How to Help Someone with Keratosis Pilaris
Before you can learn to help someone who has Keratosis Pilaris you need to first understand two things. First, you need to really understand what Keratosis Pilaris is and second, you need to know it is not curable.
So let’s talk about what it is…
Keratosis pilaris (ker-uh-TOE-sis pih-LAIR-is) is a common skin condition that causes dry, rough patches and tiny bumps, usually on the upper arms, thighs, cheeks, or buttocks. The bumps generally don't hurt or itch, but many find them annoying and embarrassing. The condition can occur at any age although it is most common in young children. It can also last several years or throughout your entire life. It is also often referred to as “KP” or “chicken skin”.
It is often considered a variant of normal skin so while it can’t be cured or prevented, you can help it with moisturizers and prescription creams to help improve the appearance of the skin.
How you get it (causes):
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. No one knows exactly why keratin builds up, but dry skin tends to worsen the condition.
How you can help with it:
As mentioned, there is no cure for this skin condition. While it isn’t harmful to have it, people who have it can be self-conscious and feel that it looks unpleasant. If this is how you or someone you know feels, then you can help manage it by using lotions containing alpha-hydroxy acids, like AmLactin's entire line of moisturizers which help loosen and remove dead skin cells. These topical exfoliants also help by moisturizing and softening dry skin and help with the overall appearance.
Below a few items from their line including the Alpha-Hydroxy Therapy Cerapeutic Restoring Body Lotion, Moisturizing Lotion, and Hydrating Body Cream.
How to help someone who has it:
Once you fully understand what Keratosis Pilaris is you can begin helping someone who has it by being supportive. Knowing it isn’t something they caused upon themselves and it’s something that most likely will go away on it’s own can be helpful in reassuring the person that it’s okay they have it!
It may not be the prettiest thing to look at but with proper maintenance of the affected area, you can help it look and feel better.
Remember you can uncover smooth, radiant skin with AmLactin Alpha-Hydroxy Skin Care. Its unique exfoliating and hydrating alpha-hydroxy therapy gently removes dead skin cells to reveal soft, hydrated skin. It's the difference between skin care and skin therapy. AmLactin moisturizers are available on Amazon.com and at your local Target, CVS, Walgreens, Costco, Walmart and Rite Aid.
AmLactin moisturizers are not intended for young children. Please check with your child’s doctor or dermatologist before using.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of AmLactin Skin Care. The opinions and text are all mine.
