Keratosis Pilaris - Why no help?

[britt620]

I've suffered from KP for my entire life.  I'm almost 18 and the condition has started to bother me now more than ever.  I suffer from it on my cheeks and upper arms, although I also have it on my thighs, where it's faint and bothers me very little.  We seem to live in a society where we have a remedy for everything, yet there is no cure, and very little treatment directed at KP.  I've tried everything from microderm abrasion, to Retin A, to glycolic acid, to AmLactin, to dry brushing, all to no avail.  I'm sickened by the fact that my arms are covered in KP and there isn't a single thing I can do about it.  I've visited the dermatologist several times where they basically just tell you it will go away with age (which isn't always the case) and to try some Amlactin.  Most people will tell you they don't notice it much.  I don't really care whether or not they notice it, I DO.  My problem is that KP is incredibly emotionally disturbing.  It makes me feel trapped and helpless.  I think it's just about the ugliest thing in the world and as if I might as well have permanent acne covering my skin.  Although I have a tiny bit of hormonal acne right now, my skin is otherwise beautiful.  But it's become the thing I hate most about myself because of KP.  I'm desperate to find out if any new treatments are being offered or if any of the prescription drug companies are looking to cash in on the KP market.  I find it so frustrating that while all other conditions like rosacea, psoriasis, acne, etc. are all researched and have available medications, there is nothing specifically targetting KP.  It seems like it's a disease no one cares about.  I don't really know what else to say except that I am glad to be here.  I hope to hear some things from some other KP sufferers, maybe even things to help lessen the suffering.  I'm really glad this forum is here.

[Gobe]

 

Welcome to Skincell Britt620

I had KP on my legs and arms when I was a child.  It eventually went in my 20's so please do not give up all hope yet!

Have you ever seen a Derm about it?

Sorry to hear it is causing you so much distress.

 

[britt620]

thanks for the welcome  
about what age did you KP start going away?  

[Gobe]

Somewhere in my mid 20's.

Sorry I can't be more specific but it was a sort of gradual thing.  Then one day I noticed my arms and legs were clear of their usual goosebump appearance.

 

[nicolespeanut]

I too have KP on the back of my upper arms, as does my sister.  My mom said she used to have it with no luck at any attempt to clear it until she stopped dairy and wheat (due to an allergy).  She noticed it cleared completely.  I have always had it and just always avoid sleeveless shirts.  My sister has tried the amlactin without much luck.  She says it is better for her in the summer with the sun.  I have only seen improvement when I was strictly avoiding dairy for a time and it was pretty clear.  I am eating what I want currently and my KP is bad as is my Linear IgA, though my dairy intake is minimal.  Perhaps it is wheat?  Do you suffer from any digestive problems?      Nicole

[turquoise skies]

I'm affected by it too.
I've tried everything also.
I sometimes want to burn it off, but I would be left with scars. oh-well.
People really don't notice it, because they get distracted by my "bubbly personality!"
I used to feel bad, because I really didn't like people to eeeeevvveeer touch me, I didn't want them to be horrified by me. I used to go out of my way to avoid people from touching me. I had it since I was five.
Hang in there, if you excell in other things and forget about it people won't even notice it at all.
I also have freckles, but most of friends really didn't recognize them until I told them. They were like "oh yeah, you do have freckles, we didn't notice."
You can always talk to me, I know what you're going through.
-turquoise skies

[skaboss]

i've had KP for as long as i can remember, i'm 19 now..  KP has destroyed my life so far, i'm a totally different person than i want to be.. i've had girlfriends and all, but i've avoided getting too physical, same thing with just wanting to hang out with friends. but anyways, i have a pretty extreme case of KP and i was also wondering why there hasnt been any research on it, its like they dont even care.  not cool.  not cool.

[asdf321]

hi there brit. i also have KP since I was born. I used to have it on my cheeks upper arms, thighs, and butt. They felt prickly, hot, itchy sometimes, and gross to look at. I've tried everything with the help of a dermatologist but nothing has worked. I searched online for a cure and found Neutrogena Skin Smoothing lotion. I tried it and it has reduced the redness of my KP (about 96% of redness and bumps is gone) and my skin has never been smoother! I swear! Now i'm able to wear tank tops and short sleeves and even shorts. It's non greasy and absorbs quickly, non stinky and it's a great moisturizer. Jus as long as you use it daily, the KP will not return. I have jus finished my first bottle and plan to purchase another one to eliminate KP once and for all. For me this product works maybe it'll work for you or anyone else who has this problem. It's worth a try and really it's inexpensive as opposed to the other medicines, creams and lotions out there. You can purchase this at the drugstore. I hope this helps to those with KP. Take good care.


Link removed due to no advertising policy

[Jenbellas]

I have had it all my teenage years and it has never gone away, I am 32 now, and was told there was nothing you could do about it.

[nicolespeanut]

My KP has been reduced significantly since I started a gluten free/casein free/soy free diet due to other skin issues.  It has been a little over a month and already my skin has improved and KP is clearing too.  I will let you know how it goes.
Nicole

[peterb]

  skaboss and lanakila78

A big welcome to the Skincell forum.

Peter and Rosie.

 

[crazyinsaneraver]

I have KP as well.   I've had it for as long as i can remember but for some reason-- and i fear it is just to make me feel better-- my parents say i have only had it since age 12 or 13.   I have always been bothered by it greatly.  Just today i sat in my car for what seems like hours thinking about what i should do when i forgot to wear a shirt with sleeves.  It is ruining my life, relationships, and self esteem.   Everywhere i look says there is no cure and thats very discouraging...  Its also discouraging when i read that 50%-80% of the world has this, and females are more likely to get it, when i have NEVER seen one person in my life with it, male or female.  

The doctor couldnt help me, my mom is a dermatoligist and she cant help me, i have tried lotions, exfoliants, dermabrasion, changing my diet tenfold, and i have had no luck with anything.  

I know there is no cure, but does anyone know anything about this?  i cant find help anywhere, and any whatsoever is greatly appreciated.   If theres anything, a cream, a change, whatever... i will try it.

i am sick and tired of the embarrassment, the being ashamed all the time, the long shirts in the summertime, the pity, the lying to my face when people say "oh its not that bad i dont notice it", i am sick of all of it, i want my body back and i want some answers-- some help.

thank you all

[Bubbalina]

hi i was just wondering if you have tried the neutrogena skin smoothing body lotion which is especially made to remove these bumps. I havent tried it yet because i have to order it off the internet but i have heard really good reviews about it: u should give it a go

Here are some of the reviews:

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=83084&catid=10401&tab=1&crpg=1#1

[GuzziHeroV50]

crazyinsaneraver...first, welcome to Skincell!

I just picked up on your comment that you dont like people lying to you when they say they dont see your KP.  I dont know how pronounced yours is but I know from my own experience with Seborrhoeic Dermatitis (flaking scalp, forehead, sides of nose) that people just DONT notice it unless you tell them.  

When I feel my face on a bad day, the skin feels dusty and lumpy.  If I rub it hard, it rubs the skin off and leaves me red faced.  And yet when I was at the Skincell Rash Bash last August, even people who know I have a skin condition were saying "I cant see it".  When I ask people to touch my skin to feel how rough it is, they cant feel it yet to me its like a lunar landscape.  Even on good days, my face is slightly redder than it should be and I can (though not always) get 'blush' in summer or when Im stressed.

Whats my point?  Basically, we are our own worst critics.  Having seen a couple of pics of KP, it appears to me like small bumps (like goose pimples) on the skin.  As I say, I dont know how pronounces yours is but I seriously doubt that I would notice if someone had it unless they told me.  Even if they did see, itd probably look like goose pimples to the uninitiated.  I suffer from acne on my arms and unless I squeeze them (which I do all too often ) I doubt its noticeable.

Please dont feel that people are always lying by saying that they havent noticed, because chances are they are telling the truth.  One of the first stages of dealing with a skin condition is self-esteem.  I always suffered from this before the Rash Bash, thinking that people MUST notice my and are too polite to say anything.  But even among fellow skin sufferers when I was going through my worst flare ever, it was hardly visible.

I hope this helps you

[Neria]

I have also suffered from this skin disorder since i was about 9. everyone keeps telling that its not that bad, but they don't understand how i feel. Its like i have no control over my skin, its not like people who are over weight whom with hard work can lose the weight... there is nothing i can do for my skin. THERE IS NO CURE FOR IT, thats what fustrates me. I lived with it for a long time before i found out what it was. The doctors kept prescribing me different creams and they said that it was just dry skin. I thought not knowing what it was was bad...but now that i know it is even worse because  I know there is nothing i can do about it. All my life i felt like i had control over my body and how i look... and realizing that theres no cure for KP makes me feel helpless in every way.
My question is also why isn't there no cure? is there someting being done about it ? are researchers looking to find a cure?

[peterb]

Hi crazyinsaneraver

A big welcome to the forum.

[peterb]

Hi Neria

A big welcome to Skincell.

Peter and Rosie.

[vera]

Hey, about organzing our own little community study of what works? I bet we can find some stuff that's of use. Game, anyone?

V.

[jonas22]

im definitely up for that vera - ive tried a few things but nothing has worked very well at all..... finally got some retin-a cream today - but the tube is tiny for the price and its not going to go very far because i have kp everywhere

also - anybody know of a support group in the uk or worldwide ?
dont know about anyone else but its utterly depressing at times and it would be good to meet and chat to people in the same situation - because i dont know anyone with it.

[vera]

I know there is a good support group on yahoogroups. I will get you the address when I go there, in a day or so.

How bout we talk first about what we've tried and what has worked, or not.

Me, I tried vitamin B12 in oil, and it did not do a damn thing. :-)

I used to just squeeze them out...

So did my mom.