https://www.oprah.com/plugger/templa...lugId=B2100004

The more people who writes, the more she is going to come across this and i am sure that she will get sick of recieving these e-mails...remember that she has a talk show so if someone did get on, people will understand what we are going through and those people who have KP and don't know about it will realise what they have and they will sign up to our forum. I just think it's a good idea to get people to understand and maybe then dermatologists might see what we are going through.

what kind of things did you write?

Okay everyone, I just emailed Oprah again with the following letter:

Hi Oprah (and staff!)
I'm writing on behalf of some 5,000+ (on our forum) sufferers of a skin condition called Keratosis Pilaris. It affects approximatley 40-50% of the population, but most don't know what it is, or that they have it. What it is: the skin's inability to shed skin cells properly, causing tiny raised bumps on each hair follicule (sometimes referred to as gooseflesh). This is often accompanied by redness, blotchiness, white keratin plugs, and lots of frustration! Some people have it from head (even on the scalp) to toe, literally. These people often suffer deep depression and avoid going out in public. I'm a luckier KP sufferer in that I only have it on my upper arms and upper thighs (the 2 most common places), but there are many who also have it on their faces! Why I'm writing you: Recently on the KP forum (www.keratosispilaris.org) we decided that the only way to get universities, doctors, and drug companies to fund research on this condition and try to find a cure (or at least a treatment that works!) is to bring attention to it by writing you. Many countries look to the States for an answer, one fellow in Singapore wrote, "You guys over in the States could help gather more KP sufferers and launch a campaign to plead for foundations for aid." He told us he was "suffering in seclusion" So sad...
There is a petition online to try to get them to take us seriously, but to date only 2051 people have signed (like I said, many don't know what they have, as it is often confused with acne). We've been told by doctors, pediatricians, OB/GYN's and dermatologists to "get used to it" or "start wearing long sleeves", but that they don't have anything that will help us. One doctor told me, "You could try this, but it probably won't work, just give it 6 months to a year to see." !!It was expensive AND it burned!!! I've spent $1000's trying to rid myself of this condition (which I've only had since the birth of my daughter 4 yrs ago; some people have had it all their lives!) and would spend $1000's more if it meant we could find an affordable cure, or at least a successful treatment! Oprah, please help us draw attention to this condition and get companies on board with helping us. Don't they realize the number of people they could help?! 40-50% of the population in all countries around the world!!! Help us, please!

I'm posting this because I thought you might like something to copy and paste to Oprah that might get into the hands of a staffer with KP! If you don't agree with anything I've said, please feel free to write your own! I just thought this might be something we could C&P and send daily. Eventually, someone will have to take us seriously! Ooh, I almost forgot, you only get 2000 characters to use, that's why I was so brief. Okay everyone, get pasting!
http://www.keratosispilaris.org/imag...ser_online.gif

Oh yeah, here's a direct link: http://www2.oprah.com/email/reach/email_showideas.jhtml

Get mailing, people!!

Okay, here's a direct link to email Aveda: http://www.aveda.com/contactus/contactus.tmpl
I just did.

and here's one to Arbonne: http://www.arbonne.com/icOnline/contact_us.asp
I just wrote them, too.

Some of this is just laughable. Except for the very last line about humidifiers. Good idea!

Introduction

Keratosis pilaris is a harmless skin disorder that causes small, acne-like bumps. Although it isn't serious, keratosis pilaris can be frustrating because it's difficult to treat.

Keratosis pilaris results from a buildup of protein called keratin in the openings of hair follicles in the skin. This produces small, rough patches, usually on the arms and thighs. Though quite common with young children, keratosis pilaris can occur at any age.

Many people are bothered by the goose flesh appearance of keratosis pilaris, but it doesn't have long-term health implications and occurs in otherwise healthy people.

Keratosis pilaris usually resolves without treatment. But if you're concerned about the appearance of your skin, your doctor can help you determine the best course of treatment, which includes self-care measures and medicated creams.

Signs and symptoms

Keratosis pilaris causes small, acne-like bumps, which usually appear on the upper arms, legs or buttocks; they usually don't hurt or itch. The bumps create rough patches and give skin a goose flesh or sandpaper appearance. Typically, patches are skin colored, but they can, at times, be red and inflamed.

Keratosis pilaris can also appear on the face, where it closely resembles acne. The small size of the bumps and its association with dry, chapped skin distinguish keratosis pilaris from pustular acne. Unlike elsewhere on the body, keratosis pilaris on the face may leave small scars.

Though quite common with young children, keratosis pilaris can occur at any age. It may improve, especially during the summer months, only to later worsen. Gradually, keratosis pilaris resolves on its own.



Causes

Keratosis pilaris results from the buildup of keratin — a hard protein that protects your skin from harmful substances and infection. The keratin forms a horny plug that blocks the opening of the hair follicle. Usually many plugs form, causing patches of rough, bumpy skin.

Why keratin builds up is unknown. But it may occur in association with genetic diseases or with other skin conditions, such as ichthyosis vulgaris or atopic dermatitis. Keratosis pilaris also occurs in otherwise healthy people. Dry skin tends to worsen the condition.

When to seek medical advice

Keratosis pilaris isn't a serious medical condition, and treatment usually isn't necessary. However, if you're concerned about the appearance of your skin, consult your family doctor or a dermatologist. He or she can often make a diagnosis by examining your skin and the characteristic horny plugs.

Treatment

No single treatment universally improves keratosis pilaris. But most options, including self-care measures and medicated creams, focus on softening the keratin deposits in the skin.

Prescription medications used to treat keratosis pilaris include:

• Ammonium lactate (Lac-Hydrin). Available in a cream or lotion, 12 percent ammonium lactate reduces roughness and softens the keratin plugs. It won't, however, lessen the redness caused by the condition.
• Urea (Carmol, Keralac). Urea moisturizes and softens dry, rough skin. It also helps loosen and remove the dead skin cells. Side effects include redness, stinging and skin irritations.
• Topical corticosteroids. These anti-inflammatory drugs help decrease cell turnover by suppressing the immune system. Low-potency corticosteroid ointments are usually recommended for sensitive areas such as your face and for treating widespread patches. Doctors usually prescribe corticosteroids for short-term treatment or for temporary relief of symptoms. They aren't used as long-term treatments because of potential side effects.
• Topical retinoids. Derived from vitamin A, retinoids work by promoting cell turnover and preventing the plugging of the hair follicle. Retinoids may be an effective treatment, but they can cause bothersome skin irritations, such as severe dryness, redness and peeling. Tretinoin (Retin-A Micro, Avita) and tazarotene (Tazorac) are examples of topical retinoids.

Using a medication regularly may improve the appearance of your skin. But if you stop, the condition returns. And even with medical treatment, keratosis pilaris tends to persist for years.

Self-care

Although self-help measures won't cure keratosis pilaris, they may help improve the appearance of your skin. You may find these measures beneficial:

• Be gentle when washing your skin. Vigorous scrubbing or removal of the plugs may only irritate your skin and aggravate the condition.
• After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on the skin.
• Apply the moisturizing lotion or lubricating cream while your skin is still moist from bathing. Choose a moisturizer that contains urea or propylene glycol, chemicals that soften dry, rough skin.
• Apply an over-the-counter product that contains lactic acid twice daily. Lactic acid helps remove extra keratin from the surface of the skin.
• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air inside your home. Low humidity dries out your skin.

Just thought you guys would get a laugh from what the doctors know (or don't)! Also, tell me if the humidifier thing worked for anybody!

know one has a clue but us sufferers...mine is certainly not painless, both physically and mentally. I am 18yrs old and i have to adapt to the pain which gets worse every time.
If KPRF gets mis-diagnosed as Rosacea then the pain must be just the same.

You know what I always considered writing to Oprah about KP... Same goes with Tyra, the woman covers a significant amount of beauty issues/concerns on her show, why not KP though?

It would be wonderful if everyone could take a little time to send a note to one of these women. Just to get the message across out to more people sounds good to me.
It's worth a try?

Wow, I have actually been thinking about writing to Dr. Oz who goes on Oprah. We should all write to the both of them. Then hopefully more doctors will take this seriously and come up with a cure!

Actually we are close to 16,835+ members!!

Wrote to Oprah. I think it's worth a shot!