I have KP!!! I do have a few questions though...can anyone relate?

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Originally posted by Leigh

I am 31 yrs old and have had KP since I was real little. I've tried lotions and creams, etc. Nothing has ever really worked. I live in the deep south and even when it's incredibly hot and humid outside, I wear jeans to cover my legs.

I have KP on my arms as well, but it's worse on my legs. Especially the tops of my thighs but as I've gotten older, it's on my lower legs as well.

My skin is so, so dry. Moisturizing helps some but not much. My skin gets so dry it itches and really burns. When I shave my legs, it makes the KP look awful. I've tried all types of shaving gels and lotions over the years.

I'm also very fair skinned/pale. I used to tan when I was younger and sometimes it did help the KP but not for very long.

Does anyone notice that with KP you tend to bruise easier than anyone else? Maybe that's a stupid question but seriously, I do bruise pretty easy and when I had my check up in July my CBC and platelets were okay. I just never really thought of easy bruising and KP going hand in hand but maybe it does.

On my forarms I have tiny pin ***** dots under the skin that are red. They won't fade. They sort of look like red moles in a way.

On my lower legs it's as if I have really big pores or follicles or something. Even on my feet.

Does anyone else have these things with KP? What's a good lotion to use that won't irritate my skin or cause burning?

Thanks!

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Originally posted by kim r

Hi- I have VERY sensitive skin and I use cetaphil lotion, and I also mix a pure aloe gel with burts bees baby buttermilk lotion. i have eczema also and even when there are lesions (gross i know, sorry) there isnot any burning with either so i know they are very mild but they work, esp the aloe and burts combo, not to mention it does not clog pores.
I know what you mean about the leg shaving thing. after i had my son and my hormones were all out of whack, i blew up in KP, EVERYWHERE, and so badly on my legs I could not shave (and I was in 113 degree weather and not wearing shorts). I completely relate to what you are going through and my heart goes out to you. Have you ever tried Differin (perscription)? I used that and it helped mellow out the bumps when they were insane, at least to the point where I could shave my legs again. Then after that, I stopped and did the shaving legs posting treatment below to maintain w/o having to pay for a perscription.
hang in there!

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Originally posted by Gidge

Hi Leigh! I'm also 31 & I've had KP since my early 20's. I have it on my upper arms & parts of my legs but my arms are worse. My skin isn't dry like you described yours but I have always bruised very easily & I'm also pretty fair skinned as well. You mentioned that your skin gets so dry that it itches & burns. Do you see a dermatologist? If so, I would have them prescribe Desowen .05% for you. My Dr. did this when I was using topicals for my KP that made my skin itchy & it really helped. Right now I'm trying to find something to help my KP. I tried Brynn's mom's recipe but it made my KP the worst I'd ever seen it so I quit using it. I know that it has worked well for others on this board but I don't think it was the answer for me. I just started using Sulfur soap nightly followed by Jergens Naturally Smooth Shave Minimizing Moisturizer & taking diff. vitamins recommended by others on this board & so far I've noticed a definite improvement. I'm not sure if this is because I stopped Brynn's mom's recipe or that this stuff is making the bumps better. Only time will tell I guess. If it keeps improving then I will know that the Sulfur soap, etc. is working. If not I will continue my search for the "cure". Good luck to you & I will keep you posted w/ my results.

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Originally posted by Leigh

Gidge,
I haven't seen a dermatologist since I was in my late teens and early 20's. I'm thinking of going back though.
I used a new shaving cream last night that is supposed to be for dry skin and today, my KP looks awful as it always does after shaving and my legs feel hot and burn. I think I'm allergic to it or something.
I've used self tanners before though to sort of camoflauge the KP and it does help just a little. The KP on my upper arms has improved a little as I've gotten older, but it's gotten worse on my legs! Honestly.
The last treatment I tried was exfoliating the skin and applying various topical things the dermatologist gave me to try but none of it worked. I'm not sure what it was because it's been so long since then. I just remember he told me to apply it to my legs when my skin was still damp though.
Please keep me posted on your progress!

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Originally posted by Alex

look on the message board for Brynn's moms posting with her secret recipe..

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Originally posted by Kim

Hi Leigh! If your legs are that irritated I don't think you should try the S.A./Carmol combo. I think it will make it more irritated. When my legs were that way I stopped shaving until they healed and I would start over again w/ shaving etc. I used the Jergens and still do from time to time. I use sulfer Soap and that is what really works for me but if you are irritated don't scrub w/ loofa or a stiff brush. I used the S.A. and Carmol and stopped, I did not see much improvment w/ it but I stll use the S. Soap. If you try the sulfer soap just try washing your KP area's w/ it first then move on to a loofa later.

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Originally posted by kim r again :0)

Hi Leigh...also, skip the jeans girl and go get some lighter pants! How about linen capris? They are light weight and although your legs will be peaking through on the bottom, no one will notice all the way down there, unless they are crawling on the ground. I know the heat does not do my legs any good and jeans will just suffocate them/ cause more bumps from persperation. I have been there!

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Originally posted by dana

Leigh - perhaps a follow up visit to the dermatologist is in order. Sounds like your legs are causing you real trouble. I would forego the shaving for the time being,though, since that seems to be antagonizing the situation. Is it possible that you have eczema or folliculitis in conjunction with the keratosis? Perhaps that is why your skin is dried out and super-irritated.

I have mild KP on my legs (mostly thighs & knees) and have been using the Cetaphil Moisturizer - applied after i shower in the AM and at night before bed. It doesn't sting and has been slowly but surely working for me. I foudn that the items like GLYCOL & LAC-HYDRIN would sting (especially after a shaving day).

Good luck,
Dana