I have had kp since before I can remember. As opposed to what many experts say, my kp got worse with age instead of getting better.I just had a baby two months ago and I am terrified that she will have the same self-esteem issues that I have had if she gets kp. It is not on her dad's side so I am praying that somehow the gene will miss her. It's just scary to think that she will have to battle this like I have.

I know exactly what you mean new mama. I to have had kp since i was a child. And i have an 18mth old son who also has kp. I also have a 3month old daughter, and i really hope that she does not have it. So right now, i am experimenting with diet and different treatments on myself to see what i can do to help my children. I was very embarrased about it as a child, and i dont want my children to feel the same what i did. The worse thing for me as a child, is that no one knew what it was, so i couldnt even give it a name when people asked me what was wrong with my skin. I am thankful for this online community and the abundance of knowledge that can be shared.

My kp also go worse with age (except in my early 20s i went through a stage where it got a lot better, i even wore sleeveless tops for a while???). Since having my children it is really bad.

I believe that if we can unlock the secrete to what triggers our own KP, perhaps we can help our children too.

New mama,

I have read that to protect the skin of an infant or small child, use very mild soap, don't over-wash, and use a good lotion regularly. If I can find the link of where I read this, I will post it.

kebod

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My treatment: Oil pulling daily; candida diet (minimum of carbs, no sugars); omega-3 from canned salmon and sardines; sun exposure 10-15 minutes, 3 days a week, without sunblock; program to strengthen immune system; probiotic supplements; lots of water; moderate daily exercise; exfoliation with epsom salts and sugar several times a week. KP reduced 99%. If I go "off diet" -- grains, sugars, etc. -- or stop oil pulling, KP returns.

It's just so hard to unlock anything for me. It really seems like no matter what soap or lotion I use, or whether I am taking vitamins/eating right or not, my kp is always there and pretty much the same.
Honestly, the thought of my daughter going through what I have gone through hurts me. I want her to be really happy and confident. I guess that is what I will have to teach her, because you have to be pretty strong to live a happy life while coping with kp.

Don't lose hope new mama. This forum is fantastic. And their are people here that have had success in treating their KP. It seems to vary from person to person. But from what i gather from a majority of the information, is that many people have had success through a change in diet ...... and those changes in diet have varied dramatically from person to person. I am currently experimenting with my diet to see if there is any obvious change in my KP. I had always been a realtively healthy eater ...... or so I thought. But since trying to find the root of my KP I have realised just how much unessesary processed foods and additives etc i was atually eating, as well as foods that i may acually be sensitive too.

new mama do you have any other aliments aside from KP. I had terrible dandruff, reoccuring thrush and urine infections, an iritable bowel, often lacking in energy ......... and KP. It wasnt until I started thinking about all these things that it occured to me that their is actually something wrong with the workings of my body? And here i am now experiementing with what I "put in" to see if it effects what my body "puts out".

As for our children, i too will be teaching my children to be confident, and not to be embarrased by a skin condition. Its not contageous and many people have it. Children imitate behaviour, and if they see that it does not bother you or your confidence, that is what they will learn. Easier said than done though isn't it!!! Oh the perils of KP, parenting and our own self confidence!! If only i can practise what i preach?

I was born with not only KP, but KPRF (the worst of it...) and my mom, nor my dad even had it... My aunt has it though, just goes to show you how strong genetics are. Unfortunately, my aunts son, my cousin also has it. I really think it might be a possibility, just don't worry so much, cause there is help out there for it.

My little girl is now 1yr and 1 mnth old. We thought she just had terrible bumps on her face from "hormones" but it started spreading to her arms and legs. At 11 months she was diagnosed with KP, and the paediatrician looked at my arms and said, well, there she gets it! I've always had bumpy skin, but my folks never worried about it. We bath her with glycerine soap and put on Epizone E cream afterwards (we live in South Africa). Once all her soaps are done, I am moving to start using DOVE CREAM BARS to wash, and BIO OIL TISSUE OIL to moisturise. Her skin looks ok now, except for 1 spot going very red now and then, but her arms and legs feel very rough. Last week started the OMEGA 3 supplementation, and giving that a few weeks to see what it does. Then have bought ACV to put on only her 1 arm at first, to see if it makes a difference. I have started drinking the ACV with the hope it can help my skin. I am trying to avoid changing her diet as she still has to sort out her food preferences and how do you make a tiny child understand she can only eat "whatever". Will keep you posted on any results. MLG

I have Kp and both of my kids (7 and 3) have it as well as mild eczema. I refuse to use acids on them or lotions that will burn their skin. What I do is wash with glycerin soap- I buy the base so I know its sulfate free- usually shea butter or goats milk. Then I keep them moisturized- I switch off a few different lotions. I like CeraVe Body cream- this really helps the eczema too, Aveeno lotions, Eucerin Creams, Bath and Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint Lotion, none of these really take their bumps away- but their skin is smoother because it is more hydrated. The bumps aren't red anymore they are flesh colored.
My Kp is treated with Kerol Redi Cloths which aren't good for kids.

The confidence issue is something I'm dealing with- my daughter is almost 8. She isn't affected by her bumps. From the time my daughter was old enough to realize that she even had kp we have been talking about it. She looks up to me and when she saw that I had it as well, she was like ok what do we do to help it? So I explained to her that we just use this stuff on our skin and nothing else and maybe someday it will go away but if it doesn't then we just keep using lotions and it's no big deal.
She doesn't even notice them half the time unless the eczema flares up and she's itchy.
Just don't make a big deal out of it- make lotion time fun and remember how sensitive their skin is.
If they see mom stress about it- they will stress.

With your baby, I would just start early and use moisturizing products and keep an eye out. My kids got KP between 1 and 2. I have also noticed that sometimes it flares up in weird places like on the back but that seems to go away fast. It only happened once.

My kids have kp on arms, legs, and face but the face seems to go away too for whatever reason.

So far, even though my heart is screaming that this is so unfair- they don't let KP bug them. My son is too young but my daughter accepts it and thinks its no biggie.
It's all in the approach and being open about what kp is when they can understand.
Good luck to you and hope your new baby is going to ok and kp free!

Oops forgot- I use a washcloth to exfoliate for my son.
My daughter uses a soap saver bag to keep the soap in and it's mildly scrubby.