Coping with KP is so hard. I have tried so many things and nothing has worked. MSM-didnt work sulphur soap-not much of an improvement Vaseline and cold cream - didnt work I spent so much money on so many other things too and it has stressed me out so much. I am so insecure because of my kp. I nevr want to get intimate with a boy because i know they dont want to feel my bumpy skin. When I cuddle with boys they try to rub my arms and i push them away. They are like whats wrong with that girl she pushes me away and I was just touching her arm. I hate KP, it has made my personal life horrible. I know I am pretty and a lot of boys like me but my skin is so disgusting. Once they find out about my skin they dont like me, you know how high school is. Its hard worrying every second about if someone is looking at your skin. We go through sso much hassel trying to make ouyr skin look so pretty. I wore a shortsleeve shirt for the first time to shool and everyone is like what is that on ur arms, ppl makae fun you know how low ypur self esteem gets. Well I'm sorry I'm just so depressed due to this kp skin of mine. I'm sorry for such a long post but if anyone has the same feelings speak them out.
`Michelle~

I completely understand, along with lots of other people out there. I hardly ever wore tank tops to school, people always ask if you're cold (they think it's goose bumps), they ask if you're allergic to stuff. I always enjoyed dating during the winter cuz I could wear long sleeve shirts. I don't completely remember what my day to day high school life was like ( I never thought I would say that) But next year is my ten year reunion, and I don't remember any traumatizing incidents with kp and others. I did push guys away a lot, I would date for about a month and break up with them before they could break up with me, type of thing. Which was kinda dumb of me. I am now married and my husband doesn't really notice my bumps and I don't have an issue with him touching my arms or legs either, I eventually got over that. I don't think the bumps and redness are quite as bad as they were 10 yrs ago. I did date a-holes that would make fun of me any way they could and they would use kp as a vice because they knew it bothered me. If anyone does that to you, get away from them as soon as you can. I was even engaged to a guy like that, luckily not for long. But high school is the toughest part of life (from a 27 year old point of view) but if you think about it, everyone gets picked on for something in high school, I don't think anyone gets out of that torture. For some it's worse than others, but even friends kinda pick on you from time to time, they don't always mean it to be mean, but it can still hurt. Everyone is self conscious about something, for us it's easier for people to know what it is.

Hey michelle..i no exactly how you feel. i am 14 and in gr.9 and i sware i havn't worn a short sleave shirt to school all year. summer is coming and i'm getting so worried. sometimes my friends are like "o lets compare the color of our skin!" and i pull away and everyone wonders why. i would never let n e of the guys see my skin and even in gym wen we have to wear gym strips i wear a hoody over top to hide my arms(pretty pathetic). Im constantly worrying about this and trying to figure out ways to get rid of it!. It sux so much, but dont worry your not alone.

No, you're not alone at all! Check out some of the posts in the general discussion section, it might help you feel better.

I am 30 and I so understand. I have been to so many dermatologists and nothing helps. I had this great idea that possibly it was the hair follicles that were my biggest problem so I thought I would get laser hair removal. For so long I thought this would be my saving grace. It is very expensive and when I finally felt confortable enough (financially) I had a consultation and the doctor said she felt it would not work because the hair on my arms was so thin and that I would just be wasting my money. I have to tell you I sat in that parking lot sobbing for 20 minutes. Ridiculous I know but always thought this was my golden arrow and to hear it was not I was devastated.

I am currently doing Microderm Skin abbrasion. I have only been once so far and they have said it may be 6 sessions before I see results. I am going every 3 weeks and I will post how it goes. It is mildly painful, mostly afterwords because my arms are so raw and at $150 bucks a session it will get expensive. Of course I am sure like all of you, I would pay almost any amount just to wear a tanktop.

Good Luck to all...it sucks, I agree!

I posted this in the General Discussion area, but I've had KP since I was a teen (I'm now 34 and still have it!). I have tried sulphur soap, glycolic & salcylic acids, scrubbing, Amlactin, Neutrogena Body Clear Scrub and Lotion, cortisone cream (you name it, I've tried it).

Well, recently I went to a new dermatologist who prescribed Retin A Micro (.04%) - I've only been using it for three days and there is already less redness and bumps.

My biggest problem is picking - if I don't pick, my arms look SO much better. Sometimes when I want to wear short sleeves, I'll put a little bit of foundation makeup on - very lightly - it really helps disguise the redness.

Good luck.