Sandpaper Skin Syndrome

If like me your child has rough patches on areas such as the top of the arms, don’t be alarmed. It didn’t worry me too much as I just assumed it was dry skin, however I wanted to be sure I wasn’t overlooking anything and looked it up to work out what it actually was.

Like adults, children can get ‘keratosis pilaris’ which is also known as chicken skin – when body skin looks pimply or spotty. But it can also manifest itself as sandpaper-like skin that feels really rough to the touch. As well as the arms (my eldest’s problem area) it can also affect thighs, cheeks and even bottom cheeks. Other symptoms are redness, and excessively dry skin patches.

But rest assured it definitely isn’t anything to worry about. in fact it apparently affects up to 50% of the population at some point or other. It’s common amongst young children and doesn’t need treatment as such but can be moisturised.

It generally occurs when the hair follicle gets blocked with keratin- a protein which gets over produced in these areas. And tends to be worse at the change in seasons. It happens because the keratin in the hair gets clogged in the follicles and causes the bumps, red, dry or rough patches. So a bump forms over where a hair should be. This can be genetic and is also associated with other conditions like eczema.

Look out for moisturisers that contain AHAs – alpha hydroxy acids – these are lactic acid (derived from milk), uric acid (urea) and even glycolic acid. The idea is that the acids smooth the skin cells on the surface to minimise any irritation. But not all are deemed suitable for young skin.

It’s best to moisturise the skin directly after a bath and ensure that it isn’t too hot. Avoiding clothing that’s too tight which can also help alleviate it.

We have tried the Ameliorate Transforming Body Cream which really has worked wonders. (Suitable for three years and over) There are others I’m sure which would work just as well but I prefer the more natural ones. Another cream I swear by is Epionce Renewal Calming Cream which is also brilliant at clearing things up. Let me know if there’s anything else you’ve tried which has worked well.