I have been suffering for so long. This website is very comforting to me, just knowing other women have to be so restrained and hide themselves helps me cope with my own life. I want to show off and wear tank tops and shorts like other women. I exercise and have good legs, but can I show them off...NO! I have been going to a dermatologist for about a year and we have been trying to find an answer. I am 26 and have had this since I was 12. I feel like I can't do anything outside, I don't want to show my skin. People stare and ask me if it hurts, when they do this my heart plummets. I have Kp on arms, legs, and behind. I have been through Retin A (this made my skin peel, accompanied with itching that consumed me even in sleep, leaving my skin raw and sometimes bloody, however Retin A did smooth the bumps), steroid cream ( made my skin really pale, but did not erase the red dots), LacHydrin ( got smoother, found a better lotion at Costco at half the price-Amlactin 12%) Differin gel( honestly didn't do anything), clearisil ( looking at severe dryness here), Cetaphil (which by the way is the most soothing lotion on the market, and gets rid of the crow's feet on my face), lubriderm ( virtually useless), an array of St.Ives products including the skin smoothing formula (which doesn't work on KP), chemical exfoliation, loofah's and even tried biore' on my KP( which just irritated it ), the very worst thing I have tried with possibly the most potential to work were antibiotics. I was prescribed a small dosage to take twice a day that my dermatologist said would clear up any moderate acne I may have as well as the KP. She found medical articles where this had cured others of their KP. I couldn't do it. My stomach was so upset I had to call into work sick. This is the only thing I have not given a full try to. Has anyone else taken the antibiotics and got results? KP treatment is expensive. The best lotions cost about 15.00 a bottle. I have medical coverage and the dermatologist costs 20.00 per visit, and thats every six weeks, on top of perscriptions. Another thing we already know, KP is heriditary! My father has it, his is faded and he refuses to recognize mine, although he stares at it when I am not looking. Right now I am using the Amlactin 12% and getting a limited amount of sun. I am really not getting the results I had hoped for. Looks like another summer in pants and long sleeves. The only time I have noticed an improvement is when I was in high altitude sun for a few days and using the LacHydrin and steroid combo. Since then I cannot duplicate that result. Maybe it has something to do with the sun exposure. I am so fair I dont dare go in the sun, but the tanning entries here have given me some hope. I may venture to a tanning bed just to see the results, however intimidating the tanning salon may be. Thank you, sorry so long.

Hello and welcome! Have you tried the Sulfer Soap and stiff brush? I have been doing this for nearly a year and my bumps are gone. I have been tanning and feel really good about my legs and have started to wear shorts for the first time in 2 yrs. The soap has worked really well for me and it's cheap! Glad to hear you found comfort here. Kim