I have a question here...if KP is genetics why is it some of us were not born with KP or did not have it till much later in childhood/life? Also why does our KP spread, if it were only genetics I think that we would have always been the same right? Why would areas in our body which previously did not have KP stop shedding and eliminating dead cell properly if at one point they did? Are we sure this can't be "cured"? I mean as far as I know genetics can't be changed...however most of us have experienced changes in our KP some for the better others for the worst. Hmmm so why is it dermatologists generally believed KP goes away after age 30 or so, umm so does that mean doctors believe genetics simply change? Isn't that contradictory?

I know I'm not making much sense, it's just that like everyone else I don't understand where KP comes from. I'm not satisfied with the "answers" we get. It doesn't make sense to me. Perhaps others with more knowledge about genetics can help tell me where I'm wrong?

I don't know, I keep thinking KP has to do with something going on in the inside. That's why sometimes KP clears up for some people, then for others it appears and spreads.

Maybe when it clears it's because the person becomes adjusted or immune to certain allergies...maybe KP is a reaction to previous allergies just in a different way, by affecting the skin.

Thyroid ... anemia ... poor blood circulation ... allergies... stress...

Hi,

as a scientist (not specialised in genetics though, and not even in humans actually!!), I can tell you that gene expression varies greatly, genes are not always on or off, they can be more or less expressed depending on many things: expression of other genes, signals from the environment etc... I think KP is due to both genetics and environment (including things like weather, hormonal level, maybe even stress!). But if you don't have the genes for KP, you will never develop it, whatever the environment...

But I think that there should be more research about it, it is not fair...

Claire.

Ok thanks Claire that does clarify some of my questions, so the key is to find the trigger or triggers that turn that gene that causes KP "on" in hopes of reversing it if possible...I know there's an answer, there has to be . Of to do some research...THANKS AGAIN!!!

I believe KP is normally hormone-triggered, which would explain why most people start seeing it during adolesence or pregnancy. I know that I didn't start seeing KP until adolesence in conjunction with new hair growth! Fun, fun, fun for everyone!