I went to the Dermatologist and of course she knew exactly what it was. I have KP on the back of my arms and on my thighs. She prescribed (well actually gave me free samples) of Tazorac which is used to treat Psoriasis. Tazorac comes in a gel and cream form. I used it for about 2 weeks or so on my legs (make sure you use it on a small area because of the irritation)and it worked for me. Now I am using it on my arms.
For me, after using it for about 4 days my skin was really irritated and itched alot. Then the top layer of skin peeled, almost like from a sunburn. I also use "Glycolic Intensive Cream 18%" by DDF Skin Care Line. It seems to help also.

Also, Does anyone know of anything that would help with the appearance of scars left by KP? Let me know.

Thanks for your input! What Tazorac would you recommend? I mean, gel or cream? And which strenght, because it seems to come in 0.05 and 0.1%.
Does your skin stay red for a long time after you start the treatment?

Sorry for all my questions!!

Claire.

My Dermatologist gave 0.1%. I would also recommend using the cream b/c the cream doesn't dry your skin out as much. After my 2 to 3 weeks of using Tazorac, I used either the glycolic cream or Eucerin to moisturize b/c of the peeling. With me, the redness maybe lasted for a week or so when I used the gel on my thigh. But now that I am using the cream on my arms, there's not as much peeling or irritation, though my KP spots are red but I think they would be red anyway.

You can try the gel, but it seems to be more red, ichty, & irritating for about a week or so. I think it depends on how sensitive your skin is whether you use the gel or the cream.

I'm please with the results on my thigh, I just hope that it works just as well on my arms.

I hope this helped. If you have anymore questions, let me know.

Also just to make sure, you could ask your dermatologist what he or she thinks you should use.

didn't see any results from tazorac for the KP on my forearms...it helped on my thighs and the back of my arms, but the forearms are a lost cause!

Also be careful with Tazorac IF you are thinking/are possibly pregnant. It can be toxic and cause deformities...so can Retin-A.

Brr, nasty stuff... I think I'll stick to sulfur soap and Vaseline Lotion then! Thanks!

If you're planning on being pregnant go on and cancel out almost any prescriptions you could use for skin conditions or if you get sick. That's common sense. But if your not planning on having a baby and your KP is really bothering you, it's worth a shot.

Just like anything you try, it will work for some and some it won't, but it worked for me.

By the way, I also use Vaseline lotion, the Firming & Nourishing and it makes your skin so soft.

Chericewicker:
What all have you tried on your forearms?

Hi guys,

Sorry I'm a little late to this thread, but after a 9-month hiatus, I've decided to seek new treatments for KP. I went to a new dermotologist and he prescribed Tazorac 0.1%. I mix it every night with an equal amount of AmLactin. It's been nearly a month now. My bumps are getting smaller, but my skin is really sensitive now. It's also really itchy. And because of the sensitivity, when I scratch it, it literally tears my skin up. I've had to wear long-sleeved shirts to sleep so I won't scratch in the middle of the night (as I apparently have been doing).

Anyway, has anyone else had this problem? Did it ever go away? How has your success been with Tazorac? Any issues?

This has been the ONLY thing that has given me ANY results, so I'm really thrilled. I'm trying my hardest not to scratch. I hope I don't have to wear mittens to bed. =)

traceyl-
ask a pharmacist if proxomine and tazorac are okay together. if so, then try a tube of neosporin with pain relief- put some one where you itch, when you itch. you will have to wait a minute or so but t he itching will stop. It will also help you not get any infection b/c it sound slike this tazorac puts your skin in a vulnerable state. I use it for eczema (anouther 'cousin' of kp) to prevent the itching. There are other topicals which are anti-itch that you may want to look into as well.

Boosmom,

Hi! I was just wanting to know if Neosporin with pain relief contains steriod's in it? I would appreciate it if you could help me answer my question. Thanks!!

It is Polymyxin B Sulfate, Bacitracin Zinc, Neomycin Sulfate and Proximine in a base of cocoa butter, cottonseed oil, olive oil, etc. I don't see anything about a steroid in it although it says not to use it on a large area or longer than a week w/o a physician. I think this is b/c it is an antibiotic ointment. It should get you through the red peeling itchy stage if it is okay with your doctor. I use it because broken skin from eczema is highly susceptible to infection. I have it on my soles of my feet and I am a recreational ballet dancer so I need it to keep my sanity.
Gold Bond also is a topical for anti-itch. I have never used it and I don't know what is in it, but it is something to look into.
My concern is that a lot of people here use one thing after another which is also not good for your skin. Not only that but using nail brushes and other harsh abrasives leaves an opening for infection.

Skin generally should exfoliate itself every 3 days. Since that seems to be a problem of mine, I use a gentle exfoliant in the shower (Paradise Found) in the shower only every 3 days. It has small coconut shell flakes to exfoliate, Papaya and soybean flour for dryness. Plus it smells yummy! I have been using KP Duty from dermadoctor after showering. Biore wipes about every other night, if that. The bumps are minimal on my arms. I am just dealing with the dots.

Boosmom,
Thanks For replying to my post with all your helpful information, I appreciate it. The reason I was wanting to know I am using a Non- Prescribed product called Afirm, and it makes me itch but it effects my legs with the itching the worst. My arms do just fine though i am not sure why? I feel sorry for you having eczema, that must be horrible. I know I could not handle that skin condition with all the itching and then hurting where it drys out and cracks open. Along with afirm I am also using, kp duty on my off nights of afirm, and using a loofah sponge which seems to help also. I found afirm the same place where the kp duty lotion comes from. I have tried Gold Bond Medicated kind did not like the smell so i stoped using it. I also wanted to know if it contained steriods because right now, I am using cortaid which works and does not smell but it does have topical steriods in it which i know are bad. So I have been trying to find something that will help the itch, and does not contain steriods in it and does not smell like medicine. Thanks so much for your help!!!

wannabe- which afirm are you using? if you are using 2x or 3x, you may want to try the 1x on your arms- it is for really sensitive skin.
Is the itchiness from dryness or from your skin just not liking the product? I have tried sooo many different products for my KP and eczema (it seems like the skins utilization fo water is a problem for both).
I am going to try a moisturizer that contains MDI complex in it. A friend of mine sells cosmetics and their skin care line is led by 2 dermatologists/scientists who are part of the american association of anti-aging. MDI complex is a naturally occuring marine enzyme that decreases puffiness, icnreases skin elasticity, retards wrinkles and this is the part I am interested in- it alsoreduces erythema. My friend had a make up party and I was allergic to the cleanser so I put some of the moisturizer and a spray that contained MDI complex and the redness from the allergic reaction and the redness that I have on my cheeks from KP were GONE. Keep you posted. The erythema on my arms is what gets completely on my nerves at times. The older I get, the worse my KP on my arms are getting...grrrr...

wannabe- i was just on ermadoctor.com and they have a lotion called Prax which is the proximine without the antibiotics that neosporin has. You may want to check it out.

Boosmom,

I am using Afirm3x right now, I think i am going to go to 2x though after I am through with the tubes of the 3x. I also think the itchiness is from my skin not liking it, but in desperation to get rid of the kp I think more is better which it is not, it only makes it alot worse. I have only been using it for about 3 months going on 4 soon. I also give my skin a break and do not apply it everyday. Good Luck on your MDI complex moisturizer, I hope it works for you! I will check out the prax lotion. Thanks for your help!