FOR JC

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Originally posted by DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START

HI JC,

I JUST LOVE WHEN YOU POST MESSAGES. YOU ARE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND HELPFUL. I HAVE HAD KP SINCE I WAS A TEENAGER AND AM NOW 31 YEARS OLD. CAN YOU GIVE ME ANY IDEA OF WHERE TO START. I KNOW YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE TIME TO BE A PRIVATE CONSULTANT BUT THIS WEBSITE ALTHOUGH GREAT CAN GET CONFUSING WITH ALL OF THE DIFFERENT IDEAS/APPLICATIONS ETC.. I UNDERSTAND THAT EVERYONE RESPONDS DIFFERENTLY TO DIFFERENT CREAMS ETC. I HAVE IT ON MY ARMS AND LEGS AND IT REALLY ALWAYS LOOKS THE SAME. DOESN'T GET INFLAMED OR EVEN IRRITATED UNLESS OF COURSE IS SCRUB TO DEATH! ANYWYAY I'M NOT AFRAID OF SOMETHING NOT WORKING JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TRY FIRST THIS SAL/UREA OR RETIN A OR??????????? THE ONLY THING I DO DO NOW IS USE 20% AHA/S THEY HELP BUT NOT THAT MUCH. I APPRECIATE ANY INFO YOU COULD GIVE ME. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

RENATA

[Archive]

Originally posted by JC

Renata.. I am so sorry that it has taken so long for me to get back to you… I had been working on the answer you your (very tough!) question and was almost done when the (brainless!!) thing froze on me and lost everything… but I’ve learned my lesson (technology is vindictive) and am going to write your answer in “installments”… this way I can address all the aspects that I feel I need to cover without sounding like I’m writing a sermon… or a last will and testament… Obviously you are now taking an active part in your treatment which is a great first step… the more you know the easier it will be to compare treatment approaches, develop a personal regimen and talk to a dermatologist if need be… you said that you have had this condition since you were a teenager… the stresses and demands (amongst other factors!) of those (awful) teenage years can serve as a trigger for a predetermined hyperkeratotic disorder (KP) and even as a factor for the appearance when there is NO predisposition. Most of the time, it is the combination of predisposition and aggravating factors (like stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, dehydration, vitamin deficiencies…) that causes hyperkeratotic disorders to “rear their ugly head”. Stress management is especially relevant for us, KP sufferers. Stress works against hyperkeratotic disorders in several ways, many of which science hasn’t been able to decipher yet. However, many of these facts are being studied by emerging branches of science like the one called psychodermatology (which
I have a passion for). And key information is being compiled which brings us closer everyday to better treatment options. But at present, the factual statement I can make is that stress virtually attacks your immune system… which might be immediately apparent in your skin. People on immune-system depressants, or those who have a history of immune suppression, or are carrying viruses that compromise this, tend to have very poor general skin tone. In these, more complicated cases a WBC count / serum IGe levels / platelet count and other blood tests might be conducted. Second, stress contributes to the poor oxygenation of your skin. When you are “stressed out” (one of the many things that occur is that) the blood vessels that run just underneath the skin’s surface constrict, therefore the blood flows through them with more difficulty (also causing high blood pressure), this brings less oxygen to your skin which, in all essence, like any other living multicelular structure, needs oxygen to be healthy. You mentioned that you have had this condition from quite a while… think back, do you remember times when your condition was particularly severe, or noticeable? Currently, how’s your sleeping patern? Is your job/marriage particulary stressful? Other aspects of your life? These questions may or may not help but the good thing about it is that YOU ARE NOT POWERLESS!! Even before commencing a skin care regimen, you can help streangthen your body’s immune system by altering your diet and life style… Drinking more water, for example, will help hydrate your skin, rid your system of “impurities” and improve the GENERAL appearance of your skin (tone, brightness, etc.) If you are aware of an existing vitamin deficiency, you will also want to work on that… like you said, different people react differently to different treatments, but these are things that you can do without harming your body… you won’t make your condition worse by drinking water, exercising, meditating or taking vitamins… but there is a chance you can make it better………… Next, of course, you should begin a daily regimen including topical treatment… which I promise to talk about in my next posting… I have a prior engamenent which won’t permit me to keep rattling on… I’ll post soon... JC