I have had severe KP on my arms for the past 4-6 years. I have light brown, sensitive skin, which scars easily so not only do I struggle with the bumps but I also have several dark brown spots (not sure if they are scars or part of the KP).
Anyway I recently went to the dermatologist and she prescribed a foam called Kerafoam 42. I paid $120 for this and its just TERRIBLE. It leaves your skin extremely dry and streaky looking.

My mother is allergic to the sun and gets bumps on her arms too, but it is not KP. Her doctor prescribed a cream called Clobetasol Propionate Cream USP 0.05%. I borrowed some just to see what affect it would have and almost immediately the bumpiness was gone! Seriously after just one application, your skin feels 10 times smoother and more hydrated, not sticky, oily or dry like the countless other products I have tried.

Unfortunately I don’t have the money to go back and see another dermatologist and pay for another prescription so I’m going to continue to borrow this stuff from my mom. If after just one application, I can see such a huge improvement, I can only imagine how wonderful my skin will feel in a month or so.

Now my only concern is these brown spots. Does anyone else have this problem and what do you recommend? I am currently getting laser hair removal and was thinking maybe I should get microdermabrasion afterwards. Will that help the spots?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

MJ,

Welcome to the KP Forum. You can use the search function on the upper right of the page (in the green bar) to search for any posts about brown spots. Type in your key words -- brown spots -- and select "show all posts". You will then be able to view all previous discussions about this. I hope you find something helpful.

kebod

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My treatment: Oil pulling daily; candida diet (minimum of carbs, no sugars); omega-3 from canned salmon and sardines; sun exposure 10-15 minutes, 3 days a week, without sunblock; program to strengthen immune system; probiotic supplements; lots of water; moderate daily exercise; exfoliation with epsom salts and sugar several times a week. KP reduced 99%. If I go "off diet" -- grains, sugars, etc. -- or stop oil pulling, KP returns.

PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH CLOBETASOL! It is a very potent corticosteroid, and some people have reported in various online forums getting very big stretchmarks after only 3 weeks of use due to thinning of the skin. It works because it is extremely effective but it absolutely can have major, major side effects. This is not a permanent solution -- or even one I would use in the short term. I apologize if I come off strongly, but I just don't want you to be horrified in a month or two of using this stuff. Please do internet research on clebetasol and thinning skin and stretch marks. Please!

How strange. I have been using it for about 2 1/2 weeks now and the only side affect is slight peeling which is actually a good thing for me. My mom has been using it about 5 months now and she doesnt have stretch marks. Its kind of awkward that stretch marks would appear on your arms. I definitely will not use the cream anywhere other than my arms where the KP is.
Thank you for the warning.

Stretch marks (striae) can happen/appear in any part of your body where you apply the corticosteroid.
Here are some pictures I want to share with you about the side effects.



I used Clobetasol when my psoriasis was severe, just to take control of it during 2 weeks. After that I had to quit the steroid because I know how terrible the side effects can be. When I was younger (teenager), I was prescribed Hydrocortisone 1% for makeup allergies around the eyes and I ended up having skin thinning in that area some time later. My skin has never recovered at all. Skin thinning is potentially permanent.

Here is part of an interview I would like you to read.

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- Elsa Zoe: 29 years old, Female.
My treatment:
Daily scrubbing with Homemade Salicylic Acid Scrub; soap: homemade vegetable glycerin & essential oils. I always moisturize with organic oils. Omega 3 supplements from Mercury Free Fish Oil. Arms 100% clear.
As of January 2010: My KP has returned but this time on my thighs and a little bit on the sides of my body. Maybe it is stress related or the fact that I left my skin without exfoliating on December.

Also have psoriasis which Derm prescribed for short term use Clobetasol.
As of Jan 2010: I'm back on Clobetasol for a month.

Mi tratamiento: Exfoliacion diaria con acido salicilico. Jabon hecho en casa de glicerina vegetal y aceites esenciales. Siempre humecto la piel con aceites organicos. Tomo Omega 3 de Aceite de Pescado. Tambien padezco de psoriasis para la cual del dermatologo me receto Clobetasol para el uso no prolongado .
Desde enero 2010: Mi KP ha regresado en mis muslos, quizas debido a stress y ademas deje de exfoliarme durante el mes de diciembre. Mi psoriasis empeoro tambien, asi que estoy nuevamente bajo el tratamiento de clobetasol por un mes.

I use carmol 20 and it smoothes the bumps dramaticly like that too.

I suggest you buy some maderma or cocoa butter, their the best scar faders so far.

Dont use clobetasol just as any moisturizer, its not strange that steroids can harm skin, its a fact. I didnt want to post here about my experience with an ointment with esteroids, didnt want to sound like i was recommending it or make someone want to use ut but in this case is important to tell you.

Months ago i went to the derm and she gave me the prescription for an ointment with salicylic acid and an esteroid for my bodies kp with strict timing of use, since it was expensive and i couldnt afford using it all over my body i had the smart idea of using it on my face.

As you did, the first days it improved a lot, less bumps and redness, after few days my face was free of both, just like "normal" skin. Like 12 days after i was looking my face closely and i had some telangiectacea!!!. After this ofcourse i stopped but the damage was done and i dont want to think what would happen if i used it for longer. Like you i thought using it without a derms control could be an easy solution but then i realized it will bring more problems that are harder to solve. Thining your skin and making it less functional just doesnt worth it.