Top 3 things I’m so sick of I could puke:
1. Being asked “Aren’t you hot in those jeans?”
2. Being asked “Are you cold? Because you have huge goosebumps!”
3. Girls with gorgeous arms and legs. Extra puke if that girl is actually asking one of the above questions.
Boy, this K.P. thing really gives new meaning to “learning to be comfortable in your own
skin,” doesn’t it? You can look like a freak for being all covered up in the summer, or worry you’ll look like one when they see your skin. Great choices!

I’m 35, and was born with K.P. Got it from my dad, who got it from his mother. Like many of you, I never knew what it was until pretty recently. This means I grew up – all through those adolescent years that are hard enough without adding bad skin to the mix – wondering where all the dang bumps were coming from, why was I covered with acne? Zits were the best explanation anyone seemed to have at the time.

Growing up with this condition really sucks. I suffered the loss of self esteem, the confusion, the jealousy…when I was a kid, those who noticed the bumps were at best curious and nosy, and at worst were cruel. And once when I complained to my mother about my awful legs, she showed no support but instead heaped a huge guilt trip on me by saying that my paralyzed cousin would be glad to have my legs. Over the years some have suggested it’s pure vanity for me to care what my skin looks like. And none of these people had any idea what it’s like to live with an ugly skin condition. I felt reptilian.

There’s only one thing I’ve ever tried that has totally gotten the job done, and that was the summer in college when I tanned compulsively, and scrubbed like a madwoman, I think it was twice a day, with a loofah. A few weeks of this gave me skin that looked and felt totally normal, and I was wearing tank tops, which was like a dream. Unfortunately, I did not find this method to be maintainable, because I’m concerned about sun damage, especially now that I’m over 30.

Everything else I’ve ever tried – all the scrubs, exfoliating sponges, and creams – most have made no difference, some have seemed to exacerbate the problem, and the best of them have given me soft bumps. Nothing since the over-tanning phase has gotten RID of the problem. Eucerin Intensive Repair Body Cream: they make this stuff specifically for K.P. and it gets rave reviews, but I tried it last summer and found it very hard to rub in, plus it made my skin too sticky to touch on anything for a while. (One thing I will say for Eucerin is they gave me a refund. I called and told them I didn’t like it, and they sent me a pre-paid mailer to return it – and the tube was empty!) K.P. Duty: wanted to love this stuff, but again, only soft bumps. I may have not given this one long enough to work – I have a tough case, on most major surfaces of my body – but I found it too pricey to keep going, at least for now.

So here’s where I am now: I am bumpy as ever, but I don’t hate myself for my skin anymore – being over 30 has its advantages. I have a full, rich life and don’t believe my truest value comes from anything on the outside. YES, what a cliché – but it’s a classic because it’s true.

Now that I’ve said that, I am on the WARPATH to find my cure, which is what has brought me to this site. When I have to do battle for something I want so much, I simply don’t give up. The only thing more stubborn than these bumps is my personality. So I will continue to try this and that, because something, somewhere, is going to solve this for me. And if I die covered in bumps and clutching some bizarre folk remedy – hey, at least I died trying. What I am presently doing is working with a naturopathic practitioner to identify and eliminate food allergies (inspired by “baronster” on this site.). I’m resisting the urge to try more than one thing at a time, because I want to know what works.

The last thing about me: I can be long-winded. If you are still reading, you truly are a cyber-friend.

Welcome aboard newday!

Wow, I'm impressed with your post. You could almost read my mind- When I thought that I knew what to suggest, you came up saying it didn't work for you

At the end, you came up with the best suggestion I can make...try to clean your body from the inside out. Change your diet. try Omega-3 supplements, also sweat a lot (exercises and/or sauna), drink lots of water. Follow Baronster's diet for some months and also try oil pulling. Those are some alternatives that you haven't tried and maybe they'll work for you.

Please, keep us posted and visit us regurarly so we can see your progress. Maybe more people in our friendly community can help you.


Good Luck and please, keep on being so positive! That's the way to go!

Take care;
Elsa

Oh boy! I so related to your post! And what is it about mothers! I have told my mother so many times over the years (usually when she asks me why I am wearing long pants on a hot day)that people DO comment on the bumps..... and she simply WON'T believe me. She thinks people don't notice things like that and are more interested in themselves. Nice in theory, but back to reality hey! Or she does the same thing your mother does "...well at least you aren't paralysed..." or similar. Don't get wrong - I luuurve my mum, but she doesn't really understand.
Good luck with your search, and I will be really interested to know how you go with the food allergy strategy. Sounds good to me!

Thanks, Elsa and Huffypeg! I look forward to getting to know everyone. And as soon as I find a treatment that really impresses me, I will let everyone know. Spread the wealth!