C.G. asks from Canyon, TX on April 10, 2009
Small Bumps on 19 Mo Old
Hello...i have a 19 mo old baby and she's goT these really teeny tiny bumps on her stomach and back and a little on her upper arms. They are barely visible but you can feel them. Her skin kinda feels like sandpaper. I asked the pedi the last time i took her (about a month ago) and he didn't seem too worried about it. The skin is not red or really irritated. I wash her clothes in mild detergent and only use baby wash and baby lotion on her. I thought maybe its just really dry skin. Its very dry over here. Any suggestions? I really apreciate it!
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S.P. answers from Abilene on April 11, 2009
Atopic Dermatitis and Keratosis pilaris are the two conditions this sounds like, and both are very common early in life. Keratosis pilaris is an extremely common condition that is seen on the outer aspect of the arms and anterior thighs in many healthy young children. Sometimes there is a worsening of this if associated with Atopic Dermatitis, or eczema. Keratosis pilaris tends to persist in a mild form for life and presents no more than a cosmetic problem. Treatment is aimed at hydrating the affected area with unscented oil baths and emollients. There are several good products on the market today. Hope this helps.
SP
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S.P. answers from Abilene on April 11, 2009
Atopic Dermatitis and Keratosis pilaris are the two conditions this sounds like, and both are very common early in life. Keratosis pilaris is an extremely common condition that is seen on the outer aspect of the arms and anterior thighs in many healthy young children. Sometimes there is a worsening of this if associated with Atopic Dermatitis, or eczema. Keratosis pilaris tends to persist in a mild form for life and presents no more than a cosmetic problem. Treatment is aimed at hydrating the affected area with unscented oil baths and emollients. There are several good products on the market today. Hope this helps.
SP
S.S. answers from Wichita Falls on April 11, 2009
K.O. answers from Dallas on April 11, 2009
My kids have the sandpaper skin, too, with the little rashes on and off. It's eczema. Wash them in lukewarm water only with lather free cleansers with ***NO*** fragrance. Take them out and do ***NOT*** dry them off. Slather on a great, fragrance free CREAM (not lotion) like Eucerin (buy the generic at Walmart for $3.87 a tub) or OINTMENT like Aquaphor - to seal in the moisture in their skin. Also, avoid bathing them everyday, because it will make the condition worse. Keeping the skin moist is the key. So slather, slather, slather.... Also, if you can't clear it up with the plain cream, you can use Hydrocortizone or your doctor can prescribe a stronger topical steroid (we only use ours for heavier breakouts....) She may grow out of it... Good luck!
D.C. answers from Dallas on April 11, 2009
We have that on my kids upper arms. Excema. Try using a very moisturizing soap with no preservatives - we use Olive Branch from Lush. They also have a bar soap - honey I washed the kids which is made with honey that is real moisturizing.
My friend has a child that is allergic to the artificial fragrance in soaps and the other is allergic to the artificial dye in soap. I suggest try to get as close to nature as possible with as few dyes and perfumes as possible..
D.P. answers from Dallas on April 11, 2009
HI C.,
My twin boys have that and it turned out to be Eczema. The doctor told me to use Ceravee body wash and cream (jar). Its been great their skin doesn't feel dry anymore and the bumps are much better. We also use a topical ointment from the doctor that seems to working great. Its not a steroid cream, Ellidel.
Hope this helps.
Debra
V.T. answers from Dallas on April 11, 2009
Mild eczema. My son gets it too!
C.M. answers from Dallas on April 10, 2009
Has she had strep lately? My oldest when she was 2 had scarletina. Her pedi thinks it started out as a strep infection of the throat that we never caught and then moved to her skin. Her skin also felt like sandpaper. She just did a course of antibiotics and it was gone. Also, keratosis pilaris makes little bumps like what you are describing. It's never goes away and isn't really treatable, but it is harmless ... it's more of a cosmetic thing as it doesn't hurt or itch.
J.H. answers from Amarillo on April 11, 2009
If it is mainly on her body where her clothes are, she could be alergic to the detergent you are using or if you use a softner. I had trouble with one of my children and the Dr. told me to not use any softner in the washer or dryer, and at that time there was a lux detergent to use on delicates. It didn't really clean if there was stain etc. but she quit breaking out. Also he had me use dial soap , as she was still in diapers to bath her with. This may not be the problem, but it is a suggestion in case.
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