YOUR QUESTIONS:
(click on each link to see the FULL QUESTION \ ANSWER)

1. Came across your website while trying desperately to find something for a skin condition my one year old Baby has called keratosis pilaris....it is chronic and there is no cure. I have been to ped dermo [Paediatrician Dermotologist] ....DO NOT want to start her with any steroids... don't think they would work anyway. Whew! Anyway.....I am wondering if the psoriasis cream on your website might help.

   Her young age limits the products you can use without risking redness and dryness of the skin developing. Firstly the keratosis pilaris may respond to the following treatments Salicylic Acid 3% up to 6 %. Now this is safe but potent, in fact salicyclic acid was originally derived from Willow tree (Latin:- Salix hence salicylic acid.) I would try a 3% cream applied in the morning as I assume she bathes at night. To avoid redness and dry skin apply a moisturiser after bathing, if the skin becomes too dry use our Lavender balm to rectify this. ...ANSWER

2. I ordered the lavender balm from you last year, and it worked beautifully on my daughter’s keratosis pilaris. Now, my question is concerning the safety of the product. I have been using it everyday, once a day. I have been covering large areas (calves) and my elbows. How long can I continue to use it everyday? I know that coal tar has carcinogenic effects….what are the risks of this and how do they compare with corticosteroids?

   The link between coal tar and cancer was established by workers in gas works exposed to PURE coal tar on a daily basis. Dermatologists have thus been more cautious with coal tar and have not found a single case of cancer arising from use of products containing small amounts of coal tar and the extract of coal tar that is produced by mixing coal tar with alcohol and diluting it. Compared to the alternatives such as cortisone which are definitely harmful to the unborn baby in pregnancy the risk is more theoretical than evidence based. ...ANSWER

3. My 17 month old baby girl has terrible keratosis pilaris rubra on her cheeks. It is awful looking. I just ordered the lavender balm after reading someone else said it worked for their child’s KP- please assure me that you have seen this help cases of KP for kids? Will it work on my chapped lips?

   You will be very happy with the product. It is brilliant for chapped lips and keratosis pilaris, however, to allow the skin the "breathe" apply it sparingly and often. Totally non-toxic and non-sting it can be applied before a feed after a feed and at bedtime. ...ANSWER

4. What sort of skin cleanser do you recommend for keratosis pilaris rubra on the face? Excited to get the balm!!

   Use a mild bath oil of any good brand together with a fluffy face washer. The idea being to clean and unclog the pore as gently as possible. ...ANSWER

David's response...

It's taken a while to reply as you raise a lot of issues which are difficult to find possible solutions for your to try. Her young age limits the products you can use without risking redness and dryness of the skin developing.

Firstly the keratosis pilaris may respond to the following treatments Salicylic Acid 3% up to 6 % . Now this is safe but potent, in fact salicyclic acid was originally derived from Willow tree (Latin:- Salix hence salicylic acid.) I would try a 3% cream applied in the morning as I assume she bathes at night. Apply sparingly with a cotton ball. I am not sure what you have tried so far so this is how I would start out

Also a good cleanser such as Cetaphil Lotion has a small amount of propylene gycol in it which is a very mild keratolytic. Used very gently with a loofah or mildly abrasive cosmetic sponge will help. To avoid redness and dry skin apply a moisturiser after bathing, if the skin becomes too dry use our Lavender balm to rectify this.

The above procedure is time consuming but safe for her age and may help. Forget the steroids as they are not recommended for this problem and are inappropriate ! The problem does disappear with adolescence but I can understand your desire to do something now.

Try the cetaphil and cosmetic sponge I have suggested. If that doesn't help then add a 3% salicylic acid cream and see how that goes. I may be repeating treatments you have tried before so I hope this is of some use.

The other treatments are too strong for her at her age. They are:

• Tretinoin 0.025%-0.1% cream applied daily (old skin tends to peel off while new skin forms, ideal for teenagers and upwards, too strong for your baby daughter)
• Alpha-hydroxy acids which have a peeling effect, lactic acid 10 to 20% %, glycolic acid 8 to 15%

As for psoriasis, our Psorexederm treatment contains a small amount of coal tar in a protective and healing base. It does not sting and is safe for all ages. I do NOT recommend it for infants hands since they are sticking them in their mouths all the time.

It is IDEAL for relieving skin that is itchy, raised, red or with a tendency to crack or bleed. As you are currently using a strong steroid if you suddenly stop using it your condition will flare up 2-3 days later in a rebound reaction. To avoid this for the first week you would apply your steroid once or twice a day as normal and apply our Psorexederm Cream over the top of it 3-4 times a day. As it is white in colour you need to wipe off any excess with a soft cloth like an old towel. Enough will penetrate to do the job. After a week halve the number of times you apply the cortisone each day while continuing the Psorexederm Cream at 3-4 times a day.

The Psorexederm is designed to protect damaged skin and encourage natural healing so eventually you may not have to use it very much at all. (I think promising a cure after this time would be unrealistic) Each week reduce the cortisone applications until you are just using Psorexederm and if all is going well you should be able to reduce the number of times you need to use it.

Psorexederm is safe and non-stinging and can be applied to any part of the body except the eyes and inside of the mouth (Sorry, it is a bit obvious, but best to be safe and clear about instructions.)

You can try the Psorexederm cream twice a day on your baby daughters keratosis pilaris as it is harmless to do so and there is a very slight chance it may help her, it will certainly help you anyway.

The link between coal tar and cancer was established by workers in gas works exposed to PURE coal tar on a daily basis. Animal testes (tests) were done applying PURE coal tar to the shaven skin daily and confirmed it's carcinogenic properties under those conditions.

Dermatologists have thus been more cautious with coal tar and have not found a single case of cancer arising from use of products containing small amounts of coal tar and the extract of coal tar that is produced by mixing coal tar with alcohol and diluting it. Many coal tar products are on the market contain small ,amounts of coal tar , can be sold in supermarkets and do not require pregnancy warnings since very little of the small amount in the product applied to the skin is absorbed.

Compared to the alternatives such as cortisone which are definitely harmful to the unborn baby in pregnancy the risk is more theoretical than evidence based.

The mildest and safest products that bring the most relief. Currently coal tar (such as ours) would not be considered a cancer risk. Our scalp treatment is higher in concentration of coal tar so it would be best avoided just to be on the safe side.

ANSWER: Hi, You will be very happy with the product. It is brilliant for chapped lips and keratosis pilaris, however, to allow the skin the "breathe" apply it sparingly and often. Totally non-toxic and non-sting it can be applied before a feed after a feed and at bedtime. Most of it is sold for rashy babies but it makes a great moisturizer at night for dry skin. It feels a little greasy but this has gone by the morning.

Use a mild bath oil of any good brand together with a fluffy face washer, The idea being to clean and unclog the pore as gently as possible.
Kind Regards, David Hosking.