I know what you are going through, I went through the same exact thing when I was in high school too. I look back now and really regret not participating in sports because I was so self-conscious about my arms. It's just a choice you have to make, you can either suck it up and say, "I don't care what other people say, they aren't perfect either and they have no right to say anything to me" and walk around with your head held high until people get over it, or just go through high school like you are now, hiding it. And please don't think I am talking down to you, I did exactly what you are doing now, but as I look back, I wish I was strong enough back then to tell the kid who made a comment on my arms that he isn't perfect either and should go look in the mirror before judging other people. I wanted to join the lacrosse team and the cheerleading squad, but I was too self-conscious about a few bumps to do it. And in the grand scheme of things you will look back on high school and realize that these things aren't such a big deal in real life, and those little bumps are exactly that, just little bumps and you shouldn't let them get in the way of your dreams.
Hope this helps, let me know if you want to talk about anything!
Kat

Well from my experience with KP the only way to get rid of is it to tan. I use to have it really bad and I started using a tanning bed, the darker you get the more it goes away. You should also gently scrub your skin, I recomend getting the spinspa. As for it going away as you get older, yes in some people it does, but I know someone who is 50 who still has it pretty bad. People will tell you tanning is bad for you, but if you do your research the benifits out weigh the negatives... Besides not only will your skin look better, your appearence will too! Everyone looks better with a tan!

Thanks for the replies I just don't think I have the courage though..
And I'll try tanning to see if it helps ;]

Resiliency,

I am 22, so not that far out of high school. When I first went to the derm he told me I had the second worst case he had ever seen. Please dont let kp stop you from doing anything in high school. I played sports, went swimming with friends, dated, went to parties in cute tank tops and had a blast. I know that most high school students believe that looks are the most important things, but really confidence is. I was in love with this super hot popular guy in high school that all kinds of girls wanted to date (many of probally didnt have kp) and guess what I sucked it up and asked him out and he said yes and we were together for 3 years. Think that you are beautiful and others will see you that way. You only get to go though high school once so make the most of it. I have been with my fiance for 4 years now and he has never once commented on my skin. I am sure that he has noticed but just doesnt care. It is just a part of you, no different than having blue or brown eyes.
I dont think that people without kp notice it as much as people with it

I know exactly what you feel. I'm 15 too and yeah I'm gonna be a sophomore. I also live in SoCal and I live along the beach and right now EVERYONE I kno is at the beach in tiny little bikini's baring all and i feel embarrassed to join them because of my KP. I almost always wear some type of long sleeve or sweater to school and am barely getting to be comfortable with myself. I went to a dermatologist who also told me that my kp would be gone before I turned 30!!! as if that actually reassures me... anyway since it is hot why dont you try a 3 quarter sleeve shirt that is light and airy or try tanning. i have darker skin and when i tan my kp is a little less recongizable. sorry if this isnt much help. do u know of any creams to try? I play volleyball too and i suggest just wearing a t shirt that covers most of your upper arms don't really worry about it though most of the time people don't pay attention to it

hey resiliency, i'm 27 but i totally remember what it felt like to have kp in high school. i went to a very nice private all-girls' school and it seemed like no one ever even had a single pimple. if i could do it all over again, of course i would just wear shorts and sleeveless tops and not let it bother me, but i do understand how brutal and ruthless and gossipy other girls can be in the real world.

for exercising/playing sports, 3/4 sleeve or longish short sleeve 'tissue' tees are always good (i like them when they're tunic-length and boatneck) - depending on your body type, you could just wear a little spaghetti-strap camisole or sports bra underneath and have a cute little layered look, and it's really not so sweat-inducing (this is what i've been wearing for ballet and pilates here in 100+ degrees in portland just north of you). and capri workout pants. i swear no one will think you have too many layers/too much stuff on.

also, for hanging out, there are tons of those longish short-sleeved shirts where the sleeves are slightly puffed and the bottom of the sleeve is capped - so it hugs closer to your arms and doesn't ride up; i've found these in a tissue-y fabric too.

check out americanapparel.com especially and jcrew.com.

even if you have some on your forearms, don't worry too much about it. people really are not inspecting you as closely as you inspect yourself. plus tons of people, when they exercise, get heat rash and stuff.

Guys - PLEASE DON'T LET YOUR KP STOP YOUR LIFE .. it's just skin. There's a million people out there with much more debilitating problems. There's always someone worse off than you. I'm 37 and still have it - and it's taken me this long to say - to hell with everyone, it's hot and my arms are coming out, like it or lump it. And do you know what, no-one bats an eyelid.

I posted on another thread about a girl on the train this morning who had very bad acne on her shoulders, and she quite plainly didn't give a monkey's. She was beautiful and was not going to let spots stop her doing her thing.

Please , please, please, please, please take heart, get your arms out. If someone comments, take courage and turn around and say "and your point is?".

I know it's easier said than done .. but if you can try it just once. I also think, the more you bare your skin to the fresh air and sunshine, the better it gets anyway.
And, just think, if you get your arms out, some other KPer may do as well, and then another one, and another one ..

Resiliency,

I feel like I am (and was) in the same boat as you. I never wear nor wore tank tops in high school. But I would wear shorts sometimes and never really thought much about the marks and bumps coving my arms and legs. I was aware of them but I didn't know something was wrong, just that my skin looked bad. Then I went to college, and stupid me-- on my first day it was hot, so I put on shorts and I went outside and this huge table of boys started laughing and heckling me about my ugly legs. I was so embarrased. That was the last time I ever wore shorts outside of my home again.

Thoughout the year I noticed all the girls who had perfect skin and who wore tank tops, skirts, shorts, etc. They dressed differently than the girls from my small hometown so I guess thats why I never paid attention to what was wrong with my skin. Toward the end of that year I visited a derm to get a diagnosis and that's how I learned it was KP.

During the summer I am not burning up too much. When I am at home I wear shorts but that is a curse because it is a constant reminder evertime I llok down or over at my arms. And when I go out I wear capris which cover 3/4 of my legs which I can deal with. My KP and my self esttem are waiting for a cure or a treatment that actually works.

PS. I never really had a good self esteem anyway so I was thinking those who do shouldn't let KP beat you down because obviously before I knew something was wrong, I was quite comfortable with showing my skin.

Resiliency,

I think we all are/have been in the same boat before. I'm 19 and about to start my sophomore year of college and dealing with KP has been rough. In high school, it was worse because I was more self-conscious about it. Like you, I would wear long sleeved shirts no matter what the weather is like, and I live in Texas so I DEFINITELY know what you mean. I tried not to let it get in the way of what I wanted to do though. So I did modeling and I was on my high school's dance team. But people will stare and people will definitely make comments. But if anyone is going to hold it against you or judge you for it, they're really not worth knowing and you really shouldn't care what they think. vbmenu_register("postmenu_18993", true);

You should not be ashamed of your KP. Research has shown that from 50-80% of the population has it in some form, so really, we are the majority!
I mean what I am about to say in the nicest way (I have it too!), but it is only KP. I know kids can be cruel, too, though. But don't think differently about yourself or let your self esteem suffer from it.

My nephew had a bad motorcylce accident last summer, killing the guy in the car that pulled out in front of him. My nephew lost both his arms and a leg...but he still wears his shorts, and his short sleeves. He is out & about and doesn't care what people think...and his 'problem' is very noticable to everyone. And there are probably not as many people that notices our KP as what we think.

You teach people how to treat you. Be the person you want to be, do the things you want to do, and believe me, you will be much happier that way than if you let your body image become one with your self image. Live for yourself. Do not live for the approval of others. Good luck...

I remember being picked on at that age for all kinds of things. I was barked at in the hallway by mean boys and one even said within earshot of an entire classroom worth of kids, "nice mustache." And you know what? I didn't care then and I don't care now. People who say cruel things are idiots and will find any way to make fun of you if they want to bad enough. And as it's already been said, people who are worth caring about won't say anything bad about you. Some people may ask what it is, so you tell them. It's nothing to be ashamed about.
You have the power to mold yourself into the person you want the world to see. Do you want them to see someone who doesn't participate and is always covering themself up or do you want them to see someone who enjoys playing sports and is comfortable in their own skin...even if it is bumpy? At the end of the day it is just skin, not what makes you You.

Thank you for all the replies It really helps to know that other people are going through or have gone through what I'm having to deal with now. It's easier to just hide my arms then having to answer everyone's constant questions about my skin. I just don't know how to explain it because I start getting embarassed about it every time they question me. I appreciate all the advice but I have very low self-esteem because of my KP and I can't see myself standing up to everyone's comments if I ever do wear short sleeves again. Are there any other suggestions on ways to make it less noticeable? Thank you!

I agree with everyone here. I have had kp for over 24 years and I am 28. I never wore short sleeves, sleeveless or shorts for a long time especially in highschool. My whole life I have had people ask me what is on my arms, face, legs and the list goes on. People have asked if I shaved my arms, why am I blushing all the time, blah, blah, blah. I never really dated much and I thought guys didn't like me b/c my skin is horrible. I was wrong. True friends will look past your skin. I just got married and my husband loves me regardless of my skin. He says I shouldn't worry about it and the more I make an issue of it, the more it will become an issue with me and others. He is right. I am still fighting it, trying to find something that will make it go away. I am always reminded that there are others in this world that have greater issues than dealing with KP. I know I shouldn't complain, but it is hard. My husband says I am beautiful!!! Don't let KP run your life. Wear sleeveless shirts and dresses and don't pick. I wear sleeveless shirts all the time now and I even wear shorts. I still pick sometimes and then I regret it later b/c it looks really bad and scars. I know I am guilty of thinking everyone is looking at the bumps, sometime they have puss and I hate it, but they are probably too worried about what they look like. Seems to be the trend. Be confident!!! It has taken a long time for me to get to this point and it is a constant battle. Have fun in highschool!!