Hi,

I have KP for about 3 years. It is all over my back, shoulders, arms and butt. I think It's really harsh, I've got tons of red dots all over my back, and when you touch it it's like touching a freakin' jellyfish or something, it's really stingy and yucky, and the bumps and dots are really dense and hard. I hate it so much I can't even describe how much. It causes me deep frustration and I can't even think of taking off my shirt or something like that. I am really ashamed of it and it badly hurts my self confidence. I can't think of having a deep relationship with girls and exposing my body to the other sex, because of this gross phenomenon.
I don't know which treatment would suit me best, because there are so many, and I wouldn't know where to begin. I'm really depressed and would be really grateful for a good and comprehensive advice.I've already used some sort of cream a long time ago but It didn't help. I think I need a really intense treatment and not a simple cream or lotion.
I thought about having a serious, professional deep skin peeling, something really thorough, that might be a bit expensive but at least can help me get rid of it (or is it? you tell me ... ). Also, I have capsules called "Roaccutane", but I don't If they'd help (I've heard of people that used them and there was an improvement)
I have attached some pictures here to illustrate the situation:

Hey, see this thread, you may find some helpful tips here:
34 years later... cured - it was demodex parasite!!

Ok, i'll look at it, but why do you think it is specifically the demodex parasite? I mean, what symptom or finding in my case makes you think it's the case?

And I'd really like to hear what people around here say about a deep skin peeling .

hmmm, can anyone answer my question ? :P

Not sure about 'deep skin peeling' or if the mites are what's causing your KP to be so severe. What I do know is that I got the same problem you do, if not worse, which started like 10 years ago(about 16-17 years old) and since then has only spread all over so i know exactly how you feel!!!! I've tried other treatments(AHA/BHA lotions, Topical Ointment via perscription -Retenol...) but they really didnt' help much. Almost gave up but after doing some research and reading about these mites and also reading that other ppl have had the same symptoms as I did with this horrible KP I'm now trying the treatment. First thing you'll have to do is get tested for the mites...see a dermatologist/doctor, they'll s****e some sebum(oily substance) from your skin and examine it under a microscope, if you got mites they'll be present(I was tested positive-gross). I'm just days into the treatment and the bumps feel much smoother even though the spots are still there. Again, I'm not sure if this will be the case for you, but it seems like it is for me and I'll monitor my skin's progress as I continue the treatment. Other ppl in the forums posted earlier have had the same exact symptoms as me so I figured why not try it if it's helped them, hopefully it works!

With that said, you should see a dermatologist/doctor, get tested for mites, if present then I dont' think it would hurt to try out the treatment others have been trying that have improved their skin.

Here's more info on the mites and testing: Acne Face Solutions heals itching, acne, rosacea, swollen nose and other demodex related skin deseases

Forum for other ppl who have this problem and the treatments they have used: 34 years later... cured - it was demodex parasite!!

I live in a small town in Israel and I don't think that the doctors around here even know what's a demodex parasite, but Ill go to my dermatologist and ask him about being tested for the demodex, maybe if he wouldn't know about it and wouldnt care (which probably what will happen) i'll find some other way to do it myself, or i'll simply buy that oil that kills the demodex and use it along with some sort of diet and oil pulling, but I don't know if it will help since these treatments, from what i've seen, are for milder cases of KP and my case is actually pretty severe as you see, so I guess I need something stronger (maybe dermabrasion?)
thank you anyway, and more comments are welcome.

Oh and BTW, could one of the administrators around here please move this thread to the "Keratosis Pilaris Topics" forum, where i'd get more comments and help than here ? (cuz this subforum of men's issues is quite desolate and abandoned.

Orichamo,

just use a very good exspensive moisturizer if you can, try AVEENO® Skin Care Products
it does not go away entirely, but some tanning will help, use body soap in shower with a loofa but use natural body soap or gel not things made by axe or anything with heavy fragrances, and moisturize with cream as soon as u get dried from shower. ur lucky u dont have it on ur face, then u would really be crying. as I and alot of others here do. 60% population have KP(body), but only like 5% have KPRF(face). and the stuff about demodex mites is bull, everone has demodex mites even those without skin condtions. ask a dermatologist. demodex mites dont cause KP, its a build up of keratain which it the protein in ur body that makes hair,skin,and nails. Keratosis Pilaris. DermNet NZ.

Hi Jason,

You are absolutely correct that KP is a "build up of keratain which it the protein in ur body that makes hair,skin,and nails."

I do a have question I would like to pose to everyone. Maybe it has already been asked, but I am new to this so bear with me.

Has anyone noticed that their hair and nails grow much faster? I have to cut my hair and my fingernails about every two weeks.

If KP is a build up of keratin, which is the building blocks for our hair and nails, then it would make sense that hair and nails would grow faster.

Also, since KP is a build up of keratin, why can't they come up with a pill or something that decreases the amount of keratin in our system?

Just a thought!!

John

where is your KP ? if its KP on ur body (arms & legs) then read the reply I posted above. 60% population has that KP. any more and you will just be irritating it. I doubt there will ever be a pill like that because how can you just decrease keratin a little bit, if anything the pill would probably shut down all keratin which would be bad. and I bet there would be alot of side effects. KP is nothing to be crazy over, but KPRF is and you dont have that so consider yourself lucky.

****. i'm in a really mess then, if kp has to deal with hair and nail growth, because- my hair fell out because of my hormones & i am taking hair pills to make my hair thicker, and coincidently my kp has worsened!!!! what's more important? hair on your head and less red bumps on your arms. i don't know : /

KP does not have to do with hair and nail growth at all.

Jason - How do you feel you can say that with such certainty? Do you know something about the medication that emilyj is taking? If it increases keratin production which is the main component of both hair _and_ the epidermis, then couldn't more keratin translate into more keratosis?

"The primary component of hair fiber is keratin"

"Epidermis is divided into several layers where cells are formed through mitosis at the innermost layers. They move up the strata changing shape and composition as they differentiate and become filled with keratin. They eventually reach the top layer called stratum corneum and become sloughed off, or desquamated. This process is called keratinization and takes place within weeks. .."

just checking, perhaps you are well versed in this subject... - bd

Actually my hair and nails grow ten times faster than anyone i know, and my hair is thin, and gets greasy way to easily

Exactly. My hair and nails grow quicker than most people I know and I also have KP and some deep KP associated with my hair follicles.
Therefore, a med that increases hair growth - keratin production - might increase KP in someone who is already prone to it. No?