Hi! I'm new here, and thought I'd make a new post.

I've had KP since I can remember... it was some time in elementary school. Back then it was REALLY bad. It was all over my legs and it actually itched a lot. I went to the doctor and I remember him telling us, "There's nothing you can do, but it will probably go away in a few years" and handed me some cream for the itching. It itched and I used the cream for so long my skin was getting thin and it was painful when touched.

Maybe a little less than ten years later, I still have it It doesn't itch anymore (thank goodness), but there are the very ugly bumps. And it even spread to my upper arms

I had no idea what the bumps were until recently, actually. I knew it was something, but I had no idea what it was and what it was called. I was really surprised to find that about half of the population has the same problem!

Currently, I'm a senior in high school and turning 18 this December. To be honest, before the past year or so I've always, always worn jackets. Even in the blistering heat, I would wear jackets. People would ask me if I was crazy! As for exposing my legs---it was a nono. KP has really contributed to my self-consciousness. It hasn't gotten to the point where I missed out on fun though. I still go to amusement parks, beaches, parties, dances! I still wear occasional skirts and dresses, although I'm still pretty self-conscious when I wear them.

Luckily for me, I think my KP is actually starting to clear up a little. Recently I've been dry exfoliating (getting my skin damp after a shower, and rubbing the skin until a layer of grime comes off...ew!). It seems to be a lot more effective than getting an exfoliating gel. Also, I read somewhere that rubbing a very smooth stone over your problem area helps too. That, and rubbing a shampoo with aloe in it with the stone over problem areas. I don't know how effective this really is, but it seems to be working. It may be just one thing or the other, but whatever it is, I hope it can be a solution

I don't know about you guys, but I feel much more comfortable when people straight out ASK me what is on my arms and legs. I always feel uncomfortable when people give me hugs and in the process run their hands over the back of my arms. I know they're wondering what that is, but they usually don't end up asking. I'd much rather have people ask me what it is, so I can explain, instead of having them question it silently in their heads.

Well, that was a lot, and I'll give it a rest for now

Moonstar:

Welcome aboard!

Exfoliating for some people really works! I formulated a simple pure honey and salt scrub (sea salt) with natural oatmeal for my husband. He scrubs daily in the showerwith it (Sometimes he eats it, LOL - loves the taste!).

We've noticed that his bumps have diminished a lot and his arms feel soft and appear moisturized. He has been using it for some time now (couple of months). He strongly believes that any treatment HAS to be combined with a reduced stress lifestyle and good sleep patterns, that probably accounts for most part of his improvement though.

It seems your Dr. prescribed a steroid product. Yes, Skin thinning is one of many problems associated with steroids (ask me: In the past, I used a steroid cream for my eyes (make-up allergy) and the skin around the eyes got thinner, not a good thing).

Q: Have your skin gotten thicker with time?

Thank you for the welcoming

I think exfoliating is going to be my new best friend That IS rather odd that your husband eats the concoction sometimes O_O I had this sugar oatmeal smelling exfoliating gel one time, and it smelled good enough to eat...but not enough to ACTUALLY eat. haha.

I wonder if the type of gel you exfoliate with matters? I'm using something, but I forgot the name (I'll have to go double check later, heh). Can I also ask for the number of times a week one should exfoliate? Is everyday too much?

Steroid product? I don't remember what the cream was called, but it would make sense, since my skin got really thin. Eek, I hope the skin around your eyes is better by now. Yes, my skin is normal now (well, I wouldn't consider the KP part of my skin normal, but it's not thin anymore since I stopped using the cream a long time ago after the itching stopped )

A little off topic: I also noticed you guys have a facebook group! I'll have to join it later

Hi Moonstar:

Exfoliating should be something that we all do, but I don't recommend it on a daily basis. Juan doesn't listen.

My opinion is to let your skin rest for a day and "heal" before exfoliating again. Sometimes when people exfoliate they don't do it in an appropiate way, so the skin can get very red and irritated. You should rub the area, but not in such a strong way that it hurts. When you do this, you "open" a direct way for germs to enter your skin and cause infection. To prevent this, I recommend to do it in a gently way and add honey.

Why Honey? It is known to prevent bacterial growth. Honey is very benefitial to your skin.

LOL, yes, the skin around the eye area has gotten better by the time, Thank GOD, but when I touch it, I notice that it is not the same anymore.

We'll be glad to meet you there!

I was starting to exfoliate just about every day, and I noticed it was too harsh for my skin (scars!) so you are very right. Wish I read that before I did that, haha. Hmm, how does 3x a week sound? It feels like enough time for my skin to heal, but I'm not really sure. And I will definitely go get the honey

Ah, glad to hear the skin around your eyes has gotten better at least

And this thread reminded me to join the facebook group...I'll do that right now.

Hi Moonstar!

Well, that sounds fine for me.

Please, tell us later how is it going for you.

I have had KP since i was in j.k. I cried every day because of the constant pain and itching. I have gotten used to the pain, but it hasn't changed a bit. My skin is really dry too, so I am constantly scratching a picking at everything. I have little white, black and red bumps EVERYWHERE (face, butt, legs, arms, chest, back, stomach an neck)
I plan to use some of the techniques listed above, since te 34 dermatolagists I have visited had usless advice.

34? wow!

Welcome to our community and I hope that here you can find a treament that works for you.

You still have pain? My sympathies to you... I know how troublesome it was back when it was itchy and painful. Hope some kind of technique works for you... ironically most of the people I've read about never find much helpful advice from their dermatologists.

i've had it since the elementary years also. most people were just like " oh look at the cute little boy with rosy cheeks" its always been a hassle.