Ashley! I know just how u feel! Im 22 now & my KP still bother me a lot but i just thought i would send you a message to let u know that mine has improved a lot since i was your age. Ive read that most cases improve as you get older and a lot even disappear by the time you hit 30 so im keeping my fingers firmly crossed!! You should try exfoliating and moisturising if you havent already.

I was running a google search for kp and am really glad that it brought me to this forum. I am one of those that has low self-esteem because of kp, I think.

Its encouraging to see so many people are taking it positively. Was exceptionally depress over my skin, especially since I just got dumped (in a way) recently as well. Althought it is probably not because of KP..

BUT thanks...

i got dumped over KP to, life just doesn't go well for us does it...to think we are suffering enough and then we go through life struggling to find a partner, you know doctors say it's not life thretening...but in a way it is, a bet some people have committed suicide because of this and plus there's nothing worse than your soul dying...in my eyes thats alot worse than dying.

That sucks being dumped over KP? I'd say that's just ridiculous.

It's not like they need to look at it all day long, it's not contagious (as far as I know it doesn't

I'm a guy myself, I had one time that my exgf asked me: wth is that?? I was like I don't know, it doesn't go away no matter what I try. that was years ago, but nobody really asked me before. I only have it on my backarms, so usually it doesn't show. But still wouldn't wear no sleeve shirts

A wish there was some way of getting rid of the facial redness.

I have friends asking me all the time what are all those bumps and it's difficult to reply. Worst, there is no way to hide mine as I have it on both the upper and lower arms and thighs. Unless I wear long sleeves and jeans all the time, if not, people are bound to see it..

Furthermore, KP is less common here in my country making me looks like a weirdo. Other than my sisters, none of the people I know have anything like these... *weep* Yup, its alot worse than dying...

Hi - I am just curious. Where do you live? (since you said KP was less common in your country...)

And getting dumped over KP??? that's the most ridiculous thing I ever heard. It's like: "damn you have too much dandruff - I dump you" or "your feed are just too big", "you wear glasses" etc.
It can't be love if that's the reason.

What you can be dumped for is having too little self asteem. It's tough but true. I know that I have ended up breaking up with guys that were too insecure, because it is so exhausting having to tell your partner over and over again that he is okay. If he doesnt believe he is okay - in the end he will convince you that he's right. It is really hard staying in love if you are the 'giving' part all the time - if you are together with someone who needs compliments all the time - they won't work anyway - if he doesn't believe you... If he is sure he's not attractive.
We can all have bad days and we all need our partner to sometimes say that we are wonderful - but we have to believe them, when they do...

So my point is. KP is just something we have. Some have dandruff, some have big feet, some loose their hair, some have bad teeth etc.
What we fall in love with is personality and charm. Of course there need to be some kind of physical attraction - so you do need to take showers... but don't waste your time blaming KP for being miserable.
I know that it is very hard being 15, and yes that's an age where you are so afraid of being different - and yes I have too fealt really embarressed and hated my skin - but I live a wonderful life.
It is probably much easier being 26, but you really have to let go of the thought that KP will ruin your life, relationships and so on. I won't unless you make it. Talk to your family or whoever you trust and find a way to live with it (of course go ahead and try lotions and scubbing and better diet - but I hope you get my point).

So chear up - if anyone dumps you for having KP. He's not a good person, a good boyfriend or a good friend. But beware not to let the KP controle your life.

Hope I don't sound too rough - it is really said out of care for you guys...

I was just thinking... Maybe a way is to think of your good sides. Do you like your hair? Are you good at singing? Do you like your eyes? Are you nice to others? Have you gone through a rough time - but managed?
...Whatever you might be proud of with yourself - and focus on that...

I stay in Singapore (near Malaysia).

Its more of my self-esteem problem, that's why I said I got dumped "in a way" due to KP. I cannot totally be myself.

Girlfriends of mine are quite sympathetic about it, but its still hard for them to understand how I feel. Currently, I'm trying to live with it, just that every now and then, you do feel frustrated about it.

Its hot and humid here EVERYDAY, but I never tried sleeveless.. I'm generally a happy-go-lucky kind of person.. MOst of the time when people ask, I replied like its no big deal, but in actual fact.. I am still very bothered!

Its like, when others ask about my work capability such as efficiency, I'm so confident about it. But, when it comes to appearance... I hide...

hey baby coco i just tonite figured out what these bumps are and i've been picking at them for almost 15 years.....as a matter of fact i just broke up with a girl that had it too....she didn't know what it was either.....the bumps we share that is.....we didn't break because of bumbs but because of irreconcileable differences......you shouldn't feel self conscious about it.....i actually have found myself to be very attracted to young ladies that share this skin condition.....and in my discovery tonite i've learned that 40% of the WORLD'S population has KP.....i've waited for a long time to figure out what was on my arms, legs, stomach, back, bum......it even goes down to my wrists!.....bottom line don't be scared, self conscious, shy about it.....it goes away when you are 30!......and if someone asks what it is on your arms tell them......it's KP.......and if some guy doesn't like it remind him that 40% of the people on EARTH have it too

Hey Anthea, I just want to say that I lived for 12 years in Singapore and the hot/humid/sunny weather was actually a blessing for my KP! Because since coming back to Belgium where it's more dry and lots less sunny my skin has gone completely bonkers . So I really really know it can be hard not to be self conscious, but go for the short sleeves once in a while

To Pomme: Thanks!

It's easier for guys to hide KP because t-shirts cover the back of your arms. With girls, are style is sleeveless or SHORTER sleeve t shirts, which bare our arms.

Dumping you for KP? What the hellllll

i can totally sympathise. my very first boyfriend (at the tender age of 14) dumped me over that as well. it has kept me from instigating physical contact with the opposite sex ever since (how cruel kids are!).

i'm so sending you positive healing vibes - your youth shouldn't be wasted in worrying over FHM reading boys who think airbrushed looks are the norm. i'm sure this site will eventually lead to new discoveries to help alleviate kp. now they just need to find a cure for the creeps that keep on finding their way into our lives. but i must say, my problem has lifted a bit since i've dropped wheat and dairy - it's work in progress but bless the man who gets this booty!