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Keratosis Pilaris

From: JM
Date: 28 May 2002
Time: 16:48:33 -0400
Remote Name: 138.230.48.18

Comments

Hi! I was recently diagnosed with Keratosis Pilaris. I remember having red spots on the backs of my arms, around my ankles, and front of my thighs all my life. Growing up I never really paid any attention to it and it always remain unchanged as years went by. I'm 27 and over the last 4 yrs it had slowly spread to cover my shoulders, sides of my arms as well as the backs, and my forearms. It has spread a little on the fronts of my thighs and i've also noticed a little on my hips. My arms are the worst because it's pinkish/red and literally covers the outer exterior. It was at this point I finally saw a Dermatologist. He doesn't seem to know much about it. I've read conflicting reports and information about it in on-line medical journals/articles and opinions.It never bothered me till the past couple years cause it's gotten worse. My parents and friends have noticed it too. I'm a computer programmer for a Ks. utility and everyone at work has noticed it too. They say I'm freaking out cause I'm always talking about it and am worried about it. I don't know how far it will spread. My brother has it but not near as bad as I do. Don't know anyone else with it. I understand it's genetic. No one else in the family has it. I use a soft bristle brush in the tub with DOVE Vitamin E body wash and I use St. Ives Vit A & E lotion cause I guess dry skin is what gets trapped in the follicles. I also take vitamins(multi, A, E, C, & B cmplx). My dermatologist had me use tazorac for a while and it gives me chemical burn so I quit. That treatment is worse than the condition. My question is does the condition only get worse or does it ever get better? If it doesn't get better then does it eventually affect your entire body? Not only has this started to affect my appearance, but emotionally, socially, etc, etc cause it used to be minimal. However I will find a way to deal with this somehow or another. No plans of putting my life on hold for this. I want to date & eventually marry, buy a house, see the final Star Wars movie, etc, etc. I guess a person never knows what life's gonna throw at em down the road. You just deal with things the best you can.