My 14 mo old daughter was just diagnosed with KP. Does scarring ONLY occur if you pick? I have not picked, although I have been tempted. I do scrub a bit with a wash cloth when I clean her face. Will that cause scarring? I am just so worried about scarring my little girl. She is so beautiful.

To answer your question your child should not scar as you are not picking their kp. However, with especially an infant's sensitive cheeks I personally would not use a wash cloth.

I have been where you are at and continue with it with my boy who is now 17 months old. He was also diagnosed at around a year. Everyone treats kp differently and especially with children you want to make sure to do as little as possible and work your way up as needed . I have spoken with some people and also dermatologists.

Both doctors suggested at this age just a mild wash was fine and not to use even a washcloth on a child so young. You want to make sure the wash/soap you use is mild and without all the harsh stuff like most washes. One mistake you should not make is what I did. I was overzealous when my son was diagnosed and went in search of everything for my son that was on the market. I bought Lacticare (as prescribed by the doctor), Epilyt, Eucerin Plus Creme and Lotion, Neutrogena Bump Lotion, etc...and used them all. I would suggest that you start with one aha (whether it be lactic acid, urea, salicyic acid, or whatever) lotion and stick with it for a while and give it a chance before you move on to try if another brand works better for you. Since your child is so young you you do not want to go above 5% strength.

Some things to help you:
*Wash with mild wash like Aveeno or Cetaphil and let your child soak in lukewarm water for a bit.
*Immediately after they get out moisturize them after you blot them dry. I like using oil at this time (some types to try are sweet almond oil, apricot kernel, etc). See some old posts on the parents with children with kp section.
*The key is to moisturize (creams are better than lotions) frequently and also use of an exfoliant like the aha lotions or creams. I first used Cetaphil cream but now use Eucerin original creme and like it a lot better. It feels like Crisco and is hard to spread at first but it works better for me.
*I currently use Eucerin creme to moisturize, Eucerin Plus (once in the morning and once before bed) to exfoliate, and also use oil daily after his bath. As for the exfoliant I do switch off if I think I need to try something else to see how that one works.

As for a possible connection to allergies to foods and other things. That is a possibility. My son is not allergic to foods that I know of to date but to be safe I don't feed him certain things that are more likely to cause reactions but other than that do not worry to much about it. What I did do though was change the way I wash and dry clothes. I got a perfume and dye free detergent (All Free) and bought dryer sheets (they are actually made of fabric and reusable for months before you replace them) for allergy sufferers. Just in case it is related to other issues I vacuum more frequently and dust more.

My son has a worse case than most children and still has his ups and downs. He has red and bumpy ones on his cheeks. On both arms and on both legs. It started clear and just progressed to what he has now. I must say though that he has improved since I switched to Eucerin original creme to moisturize.

You will get a lot of advice on what people have tried. Once you get the info decide on your path and take it from there. There is a lot of stuff out there so you have to find what works for you and your child.

I know this is LONG, but I wanted to answer any questions you may have because I started where you are at now with 6 million questions and everyone trying to sell a miracle cure.

Thank you so much for the advice. Currently I am using Aveeno in her bath, a very gently Aveeno scrub on her face and Eucerin Plus in the morning and evening. This seems to be working and the bumps are lessened. I am hoping that I can be diligent and get rid of them altogether and then just hold it at bay with regular exfoliation and moisturizing. I noticed you said you use Eucerin for moisturizing and Eucerin Plus for exfoliation. I thought Eucerin Plus did both??? My Pedi is giving me a prescription for something called Hydrolactin?? I'm not sure if I remember the name right. I am picking it up at the pharmacy tomorrow. Based on your advice I will continue with the Eucerin Plus for now since that seems to be working and maybe save the prescription stuff for later. I had thought she was allergic to milk like my older daughter and switched her to soy. Then took her to the Pedi and had her allergies tested and turns out she is only allergic to soy! Oops! There goes that Mom Of The Year award! Anyway, the bumps have been around for a long time now so I know it is not related to the recent change to soy. She was tested for soy, dairy, wheat and eggs. Thank you so much for the extensive advice. I feel like now I may be on the right track and do feel a bit relieved. Jacob is lucky to have such a diligent mommy. Good luck to you!

One more thing, I'm using a baby wash cloth, not a regular one. So far it doesn't seem too abrasive but I think at least for her face I may switch to just using my hand to apply the Aveeno scrub based on your advice. Thanks again!

Glad I can be of help because I know what it is like to have all those questions and the doctor just give you a prescription and sends you on your way. They think they know better than you but it seems to me with this skin condition we who have to suffer through it know more than most of them.

As for using a gentle scrub on her face, use what works for you. My son's cheeks are very sensitive to heat and pressure and anything can set it off so I don't dare with anything more than my hands and Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser. There is a debate between the two sides scrubbing vs not scrubbing but I go with the theory that the aha's do the work for you by opening up and sloughing off stuff.

As for my using regular Eucerin Cream and Eucerin Plus...I use the Eucerin Plus Cream 2X daily since it has urea and lactic acid in it (it obviously helps moisturize the skin also but like any aha it can irritate the skin and cause sensitivity such as redness and my son's skin is very sensitive so that is why you also need a good humectant moisturizer on top of that). The Eucerin Plus is a keratolytic which breaks down the bad skin and helps to remove it. It does the same thing as the items prescribed by doctors such as Lacticare, Amlactin, and the stuff you were prescribed. I started using it because it does the work but is gentler on my sons's skin. I also switch off to another brand to give his skin a rest from only one thing. I don't think there is one that is a miracle so find what works for you.

As I was saying, using anything to exfoliate with the aha's can cause sensitivity so you need a good humectant moisturizer that you use regularly. Most lotions/creams only sit there and humectants (ie sorbitol and propylene glycol actually draws moisture from the air into your skin. And that is what the Eucerin original creme does. I swear by it for my son and would not use anything else any more. You get used to the weird feel of it. I guarantee you will notice a softer feel right away. Can you tell I have spent the last months studying everything about this condition and know too much about the definitions it seems

If your child's case is mild like it sounds I think that the good moisturizing plus the gentle exfoliating should greatly help. How long have you been at it? My son's case is bad enough that I have come to terms with it that he will never have "baby skin" again but I am trying my darndest to keep it as healthy as possible.

Yep, another long post (I guess I like to write!). Good luck to you! Feel free to ask if you have any more questions. There are other moms on the other forum who have gone through the same thing as you.

I just wanted to add that personally I think the beta hydroxy acids are more helpful for KP as they are lipid soluble and travel into the follicle, whereas the alphas are strictly surface peelers. My 6 month old has mild KP, so I am only using a 10% urea cream on her, but I use a urea/BHA on myself. My legs are now completely smooth, and my arms are MUCH improved, although they would be even better if I could stop picking!

Can you tell me a good over the counter brand of beta hydroxy to buy? Thanks for the tip!

JacobsMom -

Thanks again. Caroline looks so much better this morning. Her face is really clearing up. Her bum and legs look better but are going a little slower than the face. I took you advice and used my fingers for the scrub on her face. It is a gentle Aveno scrub so it doesn't really even feel abrasive, more like a lotion. That and the AHA don't seem to be causing a problem. I don't think her skin is overly sensitive. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your responses. I helps me so much to talk to other experienced moms when I am trying to figure things out. I really believe when it comes to certain issues like health you have to be you own and your childs own best advocate. Sounds like you are like that too!

Thanks again!

Melissa

I hadn't been able to find an OTC version - most BHA products are formulated for acne, so they don't have much in the way of moisturizers in them which we kp sufferers need! So I formulated one. www.thepersonalformulator.com sells everything you would need to make your own lotion. Email me if you need any help, or are interested in trying mine. email

Thanks!