Skin Republic

Dear Dr. Jen,

My arms are covered in bumps and won't go away no matter how much I scrub.  Please help!

                                Leny

Dear Leny,

Do your arms feel rough when you glide your palm over it?  Does it look like goose bumps?  If the answers to these questions are "yes," then you might have keratosis pilaris.  Because of the keratin buildup that forms a plug over your pores, you need to dissolve the keratin before doing any exfoliating.

Products containing glycolic acid, lactic acid, urea has to be applied several days before you scrub. Proper scrubbing also has to be observed.  Once- or twice-a-week scrubbing should be enough.  If done too frequently, irritation and inflammation can arise.  Choose microbeads that are finely rounded.  Using beads that are too sharp can cause microscopic breaks on your skin leading to possible infections. 

If you want a speedier process, head over to your PDS derma to avail of a fruit-based acid peel and a diamond peel to follow right after.  Two or three sessions can keep your arms smooth and ready for a sleeveless wear again!

Dear Dr. Jen,

My child was diagnosed to have skin asthma on his arms.  The doctor said he will likely have it for life.  Is there no cure to skin asthma?

                                Josie

Dear Josie,

Skin asthma or atopic dermatitis, manifests as dry, red, itchy skin usually on the face, neck, inner arms or area behind the knees. This is commonly encountered in childhood.   Children with skin asthma have "barrier defects" causing their skin to be perpetually dry and sensitive to chemicals.

In half of patients with atopic dermatitis, the condition disappears by 20 years old.  Most are left with just dry skin, no longer red or itchy.  However, there's no way to predict which population your child will fall under, the one where atopic dermatitis persists or the one where it goes away.

Rather than giving up on your child's skin, aim for an itch-free skin by preventing flare ups. One of the pillars of maintenance in treating skin asthma is the use of hypoallergenic moisturizers.  Staying away from harsh antibacterial soaps and strong fragrances will also help. Incorporating these simple habits into your kid's routine will go a long way in not having to deal with constant derma visits throughout your child's life. Good luck!

Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH). For information on PDS, check http://www.pds.org.ph/. For questions or concerns, please text to: 0932 857 7070; or email to: [email protected]; or call The Freeman: (032) 2531276, or PSH: (032) 233 8620 and 232 5929. Your inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.