FAQ
Q: Does KP have a cure?
A: No, there is no known cure, but many different treatments, both topical (on the skin) and systemic (throughout the body), can help diminsh and clear KP. The unknown nature of KP makes treatment challenging for many people. No single treatment works for everyone, but something will work for most people.
Q: Is KP hereditary?
A: Keratosis Pilaris is inherited as an autosomal dominant gene.
Q: Is KP contagious?
A: No. It is not something you can "catch" or "pass on". People with keratosis Pilaris pose no threat to the health or safety of others.
Q: Is there any Research being done?
A: Currently, there is very little research being done on what the causes of Keratosis Pilaris are or what factors trigger the condition.
There was a study directed by the Rush University Medical Center, Department of Dermatology in Chicago. They were trying to have a clinical trial on three topical prescription creams commonly used in dermatology to treat keratosis pilaris. They haven't reported their findings yet.
Visit our Research thread here: KP Research Collection
Other than that there's no information on any research being done for KP, however, you can help by signing the Online Petition.
Q: How is KP diagnosed?
A: The physician or other health care provider, usually your dermatologist, examines the affected areas just by taking a look. No special blood tests or diagnostic tools exist to diagnose Keratosis Pilaris. Sometimes many of us get wrong diagnosis, mainly because of the lack of awareness even among the medical community.
Q: Is KP going to vanish with age?
A: We don't know. Every person is unique and special, so it is every case. Some of our members develop the condition when teenagers and it vanishes with time. Others develop the condition when pregnant or after pregnancy. Other people develop their condition after their 40's.
Q: What treatment should I try first?
A: It is hard to predict what will work for a particular individual or what you should try first; however, it is important to be open-minded and willing to try some of the treatments available to find the one that will work for you. People often need to try out different treatments before they find one that works for them.
Q: How long should I stick with a treatment to know if it's working?
A: We always suggest being consistent with a product for at least 2 months to see best results. Following directions or instructions on the label or package is definitely important.
Q: How to diminish facial redness?
A: There are some treatments that help with the redness, please read our collection of threads on this topic: Collection of success posts for: Reducing redness
Q: Are there any products available to treat KP in children?
A: Yes, there are some treatments available for children; some of them are safe, others aren't. In order to select the best treatment, we encourage you to read carefully our forum and our warnings. Ask other members before trying a product on your child. Some parents can tell you their experiences.
Important Note: There are products available on the market that are said to be specially for kids, but they are not FDA approved and contain acids. Products containing acids like AHA's and BHA's like glycolic, malic, lactic, salicylic acid among others, should be avoided on babies and children. Exfoliation should also be avoided on babies and children up to 12 years old.
>> Click here to learn more: Parent's Corner Forum.
