Assuming it IS genetic and is the recessive gene.. The only way it can manifest itself is if the dominant gene is not present. So your mom and dad had the genotype Ss and here is a prunette square:

S s

S SS Ss

s Ss ss

Sooo you had a 25% chance of getting it when you were a diploid cell, and the other gamete stole the good gene. If only the chromosome was flipped around...

? lol

Sorry that is Punnett square

........S.........s.....
....|........|.........|
S..|..SS...|..Ss...|
....|........|.........|
s...|..Ss..|...ss...|

http://www.borg.com/~lubehawk/psquare.htm

The P-Square explains how you can have KP, when no one else in your family has it.

hi ive had kp for as long as i can remember. before last night i had no idea what
the little bumps on my skin were. finally , i went to my dermatologist and he told me
about kp. he subscribed a lotin. thats it. i guess dead skin forms around hair folicles.
BUT!! after reading so much ive come to have a cure (IM NOT A DOCTOR BUT THIS MIGHT WORK)we should get more sun. (wear sunblock though , wrinkles arent gonna help)eat more vitamin a, d , and calcium, have some fish oil everyday (IM NOT SUR WHICH OIL !!SRY)eat your veggies!a good way to eat spinach if you dont like it is to
grill some bonless , skinless, chicken breast in the forman, and the get some spinach leaves, dice em' or cut them up until small, then mix with olive oil. when chicen is done , put it on a plate and pour the olivy spinachy mix on top!! its really good!!
oh yea people should eat more dark chocoate too! it contains an antioxidants that
will protect you from cigarette smoke!! (im not saing go eat 3 bars but u no)
thanks bye!

I also have had kp for as long as I can remember. I got so tired of these little red bumps on my arms & thighs about 3 weeks ago and decided that I was going to find out what they were. I have seen several dr's and not one of them helped. Finally by searching the internet I figured out what it was & that there is no cure. Anyway over the years I have been using a pumice bar on & off especialy for special occasions and this always seemed to help for the moment. After figuring out what this was I went back to using the pumice bar and a lotion with retinol & Salicylic acid and this has seemed to help a little. I hope by the time my wedding gets here in June I will have better looking arms, If not I guess I will cover them with make up.

I live in Arkansas and I use a humidifier all the time also. I have severe allergies, and slight asthma. I also have lung problems, get pnemonia & other colds very easily. I drink 8 -24oz of Orange Juice every night for the Vitamin C since I get colds very easily. I have immune diffeciency problems which is the cause of my allergies, asthma, & lung problems. I have always had a problem with dry skin since I was born & have had KP I know since I was 21 or so, I am 29 now. It has its days when it is not bad but then there are days that my arms are covered. Now that I know what it is I will pay more attention to it and see if I can figure out what triggers it for me.

Mom No KP
Dad No KP
Brother No KP
Me KP
No one in my family has ever had it. Asked all aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents etc.

Note: This post is derived from another post in a different thread.



I have had KP as long as I can remember (I am currently 18). It is worst (the reddest and most elevated) on my upper arms and cheeks. On my lower legs it can be visible, but there really are not any "bumps" - just red marks. The same goes for my upper legs and butt.

I look at it like this (unless I am having a bad day, in which case my outlook is far more pessimistic): It’s a real drag, but it does not inhibit me from doing the things I love (unless I let it), so in that I am blessed. I do believe, however, that your outside is a strong indicator of what is playing out on your inside – that maybe focusing on this condition can lead me to a higher understanding of some of my other health problems.

Health issues I have:
- I was lactose-intolerant and very sensitive as an infant (I have heard that this is not uncommon. The issue of calcium, magnesium, and other related minerals has been floating around this forum, and really interesting. Many people with KP, it seems, were lactose intolerant when they were little, so maybe it is a related issue.)
- Allergies (This seems to be common in people with skin issues – sensitive systems seems to mean sensitive skin. It makes sense. The allergies I have are minor, but I can easily get into a cycle where I am stuffy all the time. Exercise and fresh air helps, as does relaxation and meditation. I also irrigate with a saline solution to avoid infections).
- Stretch marks (May be due to a zinc deficiency, which may also be related to KP from what I have read).
- Chronic fatigue/foggy-headedness (This is more recent – and due to a series of things).
- OCD/anxiety
- Some infrequent digestive problems (constipation, and upset stomach)

Genetics:
I can trace my KP back to my mother and grandmother, who have many of the same issues as above, so I do believe genetics are at play.



Lotions:

It seems that some people’s KP is more stubborn than others’ in that some will be fine with a lotion here and there, and perhaps a pumice sponge, while others will do ANYTHING and not make a dent. Mine is really stubborn. I have sensitive skin on top of it, so some lotions and scrubs actually aggravate the condition. The Gold Bond lotion in the yellow bottle helped with the redness on my arms, and some lotions that my dermatologist gave me samples of helped with the bumps (maybe I should combine the two!). But the latter are strong, and I would love to find a solution via internal medicine. Even so, I moisturize with a gentle lotion (it varies) after every shower.



Environment:

Sun helps! Extreme temps and exercise aggravates my KP (but exercise helps in the long run). And mine is worse in the winter probably due to the dryness and the cold, and the fact that I do not get that sun on my arms and legs.



Vitamins/Diet:

This confuses the heck out of me. Some people see results with vitamin E, others with fish oil, and others with vitamin A… I think a vitamin A deficiency might be at work, at least in part, but I have been taking my vitamins AND eaten carrots each and everyday for years (I was teased in elementary school for bringing little baggies of carrot sticks for my snack each day), and my KP has never cleared up. I’ve also taken fish oil for a few years – nada. My KP is better on some days that on others, though I have never lived a day free of it, NOR can I find a real correlation between me eating ANYTHING in particular and this skin issue (at least, not for me personally) – drinking carrot juice may help some, but I am unsure.

* HOWEVER, when I brought up the subject with a naturopath and a woman with a Masters in natural medicine, the skin condition was immediately hailed as a vitamin A deficiency.

* I also went to see a dermatologist, who said that KP is a mild form of eczema, and is related to those of us with allergies and sensitive systems – a great insight, I thought.

* I have done further research on the subject (and some of my other issues), and a majority of the roads seem to lead back to a vitamin A deficiency and a zinc deficiency (vitamin A, by the way, is in charge of carrying zinc around the body, so the two are very much connected).

I AM SO CONFUSED! I eat so healthy (tons of organic raw and cooked fruits and veggies everyday, little or no dairy – and when I do indulge, it’s with goat’s milk – fish over all other kinds of meat, little to no red meat, very little sugar, many supplements including a mutli, fish oil, and antioxidants, etc.) I’m just not making a dent.



I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT GOING VEGAN, by the way:

- How long does it take to see the results in your skin? I am considering going vegan for a while to see the results, but if it means more than three months, I may wait a few years until I am more settled.



What I am really interested in right now:

- The calcium/magnesium/potassium/etc. issue and dairy products and KP (Magnesium helps with allergies from what I have read, and other people on this forum have seen a connection btw calcium and KP especially, and the other minerals which help with the absorption of calcium).

- Vitamin A deficiency and KP (So many roads lead back here…)

- Zinc deficiency and KP (Vitamin A and zinc are related, and zinc plays a CRUCIAL role in the immune system – it activates the T-cells that fight off “invaders.”)

- Allergies and the immune system and KP



That’s all for now! I am so glad we are compiling all this data! Cheers! Peace to all!



- Green Bean

Anonymous - I've noticed those ingrown hairs forming loops as well..just makes it more tempting to pick at it.

I've heard that KP is genetic although I don't have immediate family members that have it:
Mom-no kp
Dad-no kp
Brother-no kp
Sister-no kp
Neice-has kp
Cousins-have kp

Not sure about the correlation btwn allergies and kp, but I do suffer from allergies all year round from dust to dogs/cats...etc. I'm also allergic to shellfish.
My kp also seems to look worse during winter/colder months. I live in MA and most of you probably already know that New England is pretty cold during the winter months. My kp seems to turn more of dark red/purplish color when it's really cold. I moisturize a LOT!!! Especially right after I shower but that doesn't seem to help either. I've tried using sulfer/sulpher (spelling?) soap but that didn't help - just made me smell soooooooooo NASTY!! I've used that product by glytone a while back but that stuff was expensive & not effective. The only thing that's really helped at all was retinol cream but it can make your skin peel & feel raw......as of right now, I haven't done much about my kp. Spring is approaching & I can't wear long sleeves forever unless I want to sweat off 50 lbs. I'm Almost (almost!!) getting to the point of "i'm just so frustrated" that I don't care anymore. I've had kp since I was around 10 & I'm 24 now. It hasn't gotten any better or worse at all. And does anyone ever feel like shopping for summer clothing is like being in hell?! I feel like I'm the only girl who avoids wearing tank tops like the plague! *sigh..* oh well.....but I feel comforted knowing I'm not the only one out there that has kp. Now if we can only figure out a way to educate all the people out there that don't have kp..then we won't have to get all these curious looks from everyone.

I recently found out through online research that I had KP. I had talked to doctors about it, and even pharmacists in France last summer who I had hoped held the magic cure to my ugly red arms. I have had kp since I was 14 and I am now 19 and I too thought I was the only person in the world who never wanted to wear tank tops in the summer! I have been reading through this site though and I have a lot of other symptoms that people have mentioned:

- I was diagnosed with OCD/anxiety last year
- I had insomnia for 2 years linked to my anxiety
- Stretch mark prone
- Poor eye sight (perhaps a vitamin a deficiency?)
- red cheeks
- REALLY sensitive skin!
- digestive problems
- lactose intolerant (more recently and only a minor case)
- slightly overweight

After reading these posts I have decided to take Cod Liver Oil (with vitamins A and D), Fish Oil (to promote the circulation of A and D), in corrulation with the normal daily vitamin I took (which includes 100% of my daily zinc recommendation). I have also been using Neutrogenia Microdermabrasian Kit which helps with the bumps, but my skin is always really red because I don't think it's a fan of all the chemicals in the lotions and scrubs. I also use a lotion for sensitive skin right when I get out of the shower.

Maybe kp is a sign that our bodies are not properly digesting vitamins? My kp came about when I hit puberty, so maybe its hormonal? If it is the signs of a bigger problem than doctors should be doing more to help cure it!

Hopefully the vitamins will help and this summer I can actually enjoy going out in a halter top!!!

Thank you all for your support!

I've had KP since i was in grade school (I'm almost 20) and I've tried everything to get rid of it. Right now I'm drinking an Odwalla drink with a considerable amoung of vitamins A, C, and E (it's called "Mo' Betta" if you're interested). It has some other things too, like zinc. This, in combination with some vitamins which have omega three vitamins (which you need with vitamin A, i think), seem to be helping. And it's only been a week and a half. I think if you can get the vitamins you need through actual food you will get more of what you need in to your bloodstream faster, and thus get faster results.

by the way, no one in my family has KP except one male and one female cousin on my mom's side.

I think I'm the only one in my family who has KP. I've had it since i was about 7 (I'm 14 now) and I only just found out what those bumps on the back of my arms were as I went to the doctor this morning. I'm not sure what could have caused it maybe wearing rough clothes or something. I've noticed the same sorts of things as everyone else has: it's calm in the morning, worse after hot baths and vasaline kinda helps.

I have the worst case of KP! Two dermatologists have told me this. I have it everywhere except my palms and the soles of my feet. I was told I would outgrow it by my mother because she did. Not so.

KP in family -

Mother - yes until mid 30's
Father - no
Siblings - some do but not as bad as mine (we have the same mother)
My children - son has it, daughter has it but not as bad

I wish there was a cure. The bumps are worse with the drier my skin is. I can moisturize, however, the red dots remain.

Beta Carotene isn't helpful in my case. I have metabolic carotenemia. My skin has an orange hue to it and can be seen the most when comparing my palms to someone who does not have metabolic carotenemia. My eyesight is better than 20/20 - a result of the carotenemia. For the record - I do NOT eat a lot carrots. In fact, I hardly eat them at all!

Maybe I have excess KP due to the fact I don't metabolise the vitamin A and/or carotene like most people do??????

Jennifer

I didn't develop KP until I was in my mid 20's. I grew up on the beach and was ALWAYS tanned until I was about 20. I had two kids and one day, I just noticed bumps-kind of like little pimples. Then it progressed all over my upper arms. I'm white and pretty fair-skinned, but I tan real easily. Hardly ever burn. When I tan-the KP gets a lot better. Maybe the red dots are just harder to see? I don't know. But, I can say this...I am so glad I found you guys! This KP has been hard on my self-esteem.

Mom & Dad do not have it. My grandparents do not have it either. But, my eldest son does. Weird. What's the link?