Hi jess_SA! I also took Isotretonin once which definitely cleared up the spots problem but like you probably didn't stay on it long enough the first time so my dermatologist has recommended it again. I have decided against doing that for now as i only get the occasional spot. Do you use Vaseline? I found that really helped dryness around lips and nose when I was on Isotretonin. As my skin is supersensitive I have found taking anti histamine really helps keep redness at bay re the KP and living in a warm climate has also helped but i do wonder if that's because the skin on the arms gets to breathe more as i wear t shirts and skin is not subject to central heating!

Hey Isabel,

vasaline does help, but it comes off really quickly(i think i end up eating it )

so instead i use lip gloss. It stays on much longer. I also live in a warm climate and it can become really humid sometimes. Does your KP get worse in winter?? mine does. I think its because in winter my skin get dryer and cant exfoliate its self as well. Anti-histamines are great but how long can you take them for?? cant you only use them for short periods of time??

regards,
jess

"follicular hyperkeratosis: a skin condition characterized by hyperkeratosis of hair follicles, resulting in rough, cone-shaped, elevated papules, the openings of which are often closed with a white plug of encrusted sebum." Deficiencies of vitamins A and E, B complex vitamins, and essential fatty acids have all been implicated in the etiology (cause). Called also phrynoderma and toadskin."

Exactly what I have. I am going to try taking all the vitamins mentioned. I already have scarring/bad looking arms though, from picking at the bumps for so many years, but anything is worth a shot. Thanks Rachel

Hi! It's been forever since I have written! How is everyone? Well, I hope. Well, the below is derived from a post I posted on a new thread I just started, but it is very germane to the discussion here. Hope it helps, and replies are always appreciated:



Quick backgraound on me: I have been chronically fatigued for 6 years, have baaaad allergies, OCD/anxiety/mild depression, and experience occasional digestive issues along with moderate KP (arms, butt, legs) - all of which I get from my mom who also has KP (I therefore agree with the belief that KP, like many skin disorders is genetic. However, I am more than open to the idea that it is not the SKIN that is genetic so much as what's inside us that may be causing the skin to look so red and bumpy!




***

On the more specific topic of digestion and allegies... I recently tried an elimination and challege diet to test a possible lactose intolerance or wheat intolerance in myself:
- For about two weeks, I did not consume and dairy or wheat (I cheated a BIT on the wheat, lol, but was otherwise very good).
- Then, for one week, I ate more dairy than I normally eat in the form of organic cheese, organic yogurt, and organic milk, while still avoiding wheat (and, consequently, most all grains).

- Then, after the dairy week, I consumed loads of wheat and grain products.



The results:



1. Honestly, I did not really feel any better the first two "fasting" weeks. My fatigue, KP, digestive problems, or allergies had improved any. My allergist/immunologist said that if I had any allergies or intolerances to dairy or wheat, I would fee noticeably better when off of them.



2. The dairy week was probably my best week. I may have experience a bit more mucus production, but I felt better than the fasting week, actually. I was regular, and experienced no abdominal discomfort (which I occasionally do after eating food). At the end of the week, I came down with a bug, but so did the other members of my family, so I do not think it was related to the dairy consumption.



3. My wheat week was okay. I felt no differently, and my KP was not any better. I became less regular, but experienced no abdominal discomfort.



So my food intolerance theory has little evidence supporting it right now...



***

My current theory about KP is that the cause is a nutrient imbalance. Now, whether those nutrients are vitamins like A, D, and/or E, or minerals like calcium, magnesium, and/or zinc, I know not - research indicates any number of nutrients, and people on this forum have seen benefits from changing their diets or vitamin (pill) regimen to include one or a combination of different vitamins, minerals, and/or fatty-acids.


Now the CAUSE of this possible cause of KP (the nutrient imbalance) is, in my opinion, different for everyone. Here are some causes that I think may be at play:

1. Poor diet/lifestyle - Too much junk food, not enough veggies and fruits and fiber and all that good stuff, and not enough exercise, etc.

2. Hormone imbalance - Many people on this forum have seen an improvement through a progesterone pill or cream, and hormones regulate the nutrients in our bodies.

3. Candida overgrowth and/or parasites in the gut/body - This can, from what I understand, lead to a "leaky gut" and poor digestive system that does not make good use of nutrients and free-radical damage to cells. Allergies and mucus production are associated with this condition. A cleansing program has helped some people on this forum...

4. Allergies - a lot of KP sufferers have allergies, and, from what I have read here, have seen an improvement in their KP by addressing them - whether it's allergies or intolerances to certain foods or pollen.


- Personally, I eat really well, exercise regularly (which has helped my fatigue and mood immensely), and am starting to get more sun - I think the sun is helping my KP, and my mom says that sun has always helped hers.


- My hormones have been out of whack the last few months and maybe the last few years, according to a resent blood test I had done, so I am currently on bioidentical progesterone. It takes a few weeks to see a difference, and I am only on my second week, so I will let you know... I WILL say this, though: I was on Provera (a synthetic version of progesterone) for 10 days to regulate my period, and saw some of my KP go away, and felt great, so I am hoping the bioidenticals help even more.



- The third "cause" is one I will address after I work with the hormones a bit. I had a doctor who specializes in Candida overgrowth recommened to me, and have been wanting to try cleansing (I just don't know which cleanse to do). Anyway, this is in the future.



- Hopefully the second or third "cause" will aid my allergy symptoms (not meds have helped!).



Peace!

- Green Bean

I don't have intolerance for any food, don't eat junk food. Much... just the occasional pizza.

My KP has been getting better recently, ever since I started taking loads of nice colorful vitamin capsules like Rachel suggested, using a loofah to give my skin a good scrub in the shower every day, moisturising properly, using sunbeds (still far away from a dark concealing tan though) and - most importantly, I think - giving up on picking. Therefore I can't attribute the improvements to anything particularly, even though I imagine UV-radiation to be the prime helper in improving the appearance of it.

Hi! I have just found this site & am very interested in trying supplements with my 2 year old.

Just a little background. My son is 2 1/2. He has had signs of KP since he was 5 months old. Every month his KP seems to spread and become more irritated. Now only his feet have been spared the bumps. Also, he's always had it on his face but now it is completely inflamed and hot to the touch. I do believe his sunscreen may have caused this reaction......maybe. I don't know what else could have caused such a dramatic change from already bad to worse. AND....I've noticed that he has started picking/scratching his face. I have tried many products....not much improvement to his severe KP. Our Pediatrician & Derm both stated KP is genetic. We haven't found anyone in the family who actually has the condition. Then again, our pedi also said not to worry because it would go away after puberty. From what I've read, that is unfortunately not true.

So, that's a little bit about my baby boy. I just want to obtain some info about the safe levels of supplements for children. Would you be able to give specifics amounts of beta carotene, b complex, vit e & Fish Oil for a toddler weighing 31 pounds? I would also like to confirm that it is not recommended to give vit a due to it's possible toxicity level, so beta carotene is a better option. Is zinc needed to absorb beta carotene?

I would appreciate any advice. I feel like I'm working my way down a long list of treatment options & not having any success.
Thanks! Amy

Hello all. I'm new here. I've been reading alot of the threads that have posted. I've started my Omega3-6-9 treatment for KP 2 days ago. I see some of you are doing it as well, but has anyone else found this to work? My doctor told me to treat the problem at the source, which is the EFA deficiency, not a skin problem. He also suggested a good skin cream to speed up the healing on the skin. What is the best cream you all have used and that works?
I also found this website which pretty much concurred with the doctor.
http://www.causeof.org/efa_d.htm#EFAsSymptomsKera

I have to 2nd this - I took Accutane in the mid 1980s for my acne and it was totally successful in one 15 week round of it. Don't recall the dosage, it was 1/2 my life ago - but the point is, it did not affect the bumps on my arms, thighs and rear end! Sad to say.

plz tell me whats the relation between kp and ingrown hair?

seeing how this post started in 2006, has this cleared peoples KP up?.

Rising layers of skin inside a hair follicle are supposed to slough off. Keratin inside the hair follicle blocks up the dead skin, which then covers the hair folicle, and piles on top of itself. If this happens, the hair can become trapped under this bump of skin and keratin.

That's how I've come to understand it anyways.

Hi...my son is 11 months old and has keratosis pilaris. Its on his arms legs and cheeks and I have been searching to find a solution to this but will not use acids and the exfoliating with a face sponge seems to make it red. I am very interested in the what you are saying here as I beleive in healing from the inside out. He was said to have a milk protein sensitivity and therefore cannot have milk, hmmm. What are the recommended doses of the vitamins you have listed here to help kp in an 11 month old? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Greenbean, this is for you, myself and several other posters here.
I found this article online about parasite cleanses, and it means more things to do with KP than you might think. I'll post it down below:


Parasite Cleanse

The Natural Herbal Way

A parasite cleanse is required if your body is overburdened with other toxins. For the most part, if your body is healthy, then your immune system can deal with the parasites. If your circulation is poor, or your organs and tissues are oxygen deprived, or your pH is out of balance, tissues begin to deteriorate. This sets up an environment suitable for parasites to invade your body. They will naturally migrate to those areas of the body where your body is not functioning optimally. So they can be present in your blood, your joints, your organs, you name it! While parasites may not necessarily be the cause of a disease, they are extremely opportunistic and can make a disease worse.

• Stomach pain, indigestion, ulcers, constipation or colitis may indicate parasites in the digestive tract
• Uncontrollable movements, such as Parkinson’s disease, may indicate parasites in the nervous system
• Joint or muscle pain, such as arthritis, can be a sign that the presence of a parasite is irritating the joint or tissue and thereby causing inflammation
• Increased susceptibility to infections in lungs, sinuses, vagina, bladder or any mucous membrane may indicate the presence of a parasite
• Food and environmental allergies are often linked to parasites because as digested food is released into the intestines, it can seep through perforations caused by the parasites into the lymphatic system
• Dermatitis, itching, psoriasis, eczema, hives, swelling and rashes can indicate parasites in the skin
• Anemia, fatigue or drowsiness after meals may indicate that parasites are competing with the body for nutrients

Cleansing Sequence
I have seen conflicting information on when to undertake this cleanse – in conjunction with the colon cleanse or after the liver cleanse. However, the consensus is that if your body has a low level of toxicity (no chronic symptoms and regular bowel movements), then sequence is less important. If you are experiencing any chronic symptoms or have not been following a natural and organic food diet, then I would recommend that you do the colon cleanse and the parasite cleanse first, followed by the kidney cleanse and then the liver cleanse.

Parasite Cleanse Guide
You may have read about certain foods and herbs that kill certain parasites. Studies have shown that 4 glasses pomegranate juice daily will kill tapeworms. One-quarter cup of finely ground pumpkin seeds can eliminate many other varieties of worms. But, if you suspect that you have a parasite, but cannot rely on the common lab tests to tell you what you have, then what can you do?

• Organic apple juice
• Tincture of black walnut hull
• Bottle of Wormwood capsules (200-300mg each)
• Bottle of Clove capsules (500 mg each)
• Bottle of L-ornithine capsules (500 mg each)

Begin the parasite cleanse around the full moon, which is when parasites are most active. Take the herbal combination 30 minutes before meals or on an empty stomach. Plan on taking 1-4 L-ornithine capsules at night if you have trouble sleeping during the cleanse.

Week 1: Add 30 drops of the black walnut hull to one cup of organic apple juice. Drink with one capsule each wormwood and cloves. Take this dose of herbs 3 times per day.

Week 2: Stay at 30 drops of the black walnut hull to one cup of organic apple juice. Increase the wormwood and cloves to 2 capsules each. Take this dose of herbs 3 times per day.

Week 3: Stay at 30 drops of the black walnut hull to one cup of organic apple juice. Increase the wormwood and cloves to 3 capsules each. Take this dose of herbs 3 times per day.

Most parasites will die within a week, but continue for at least three weeks and for up to three months. If you continue longer than three weeks, simply maintain the Week 3 dosage for the remainder of the cleanse.