I had no idea there was a site like this out there. I feel.. enlightened. Knowing there are other women (or young women, in my case) out there that struggle with KP. It makes me want to cry. I know, a bit of a strange reaction, but I still feel wonderful.

Its nice to meet people who know how it is to not want to wear shorts, or go swimming.

Nice to know people that understand why I would be mortified to go to gym at school- I have to wear shorts.

My friends all think I'm being wimpy. Most of the time, when people see me they ask me what I am allergic to, or what kind of bugs bit me.

*sigh*

That's a load off.

*Ish happy*

We all feel your pain. My father-in-law actually said "Eww! What's wrong with your arms!?" <sigh> Some people have no tact or sensitivity... Cant' let them bring us down! Anyhoo...

You should go swimming anyway! Don't miss out on the fun because of something you can't control! If somebody says something, just say "wow, you're really the tactful, sensitive type, aren't you?" sarcastically. Turn the tables on them and make them look bad for being such a jerk.

If you're still uncomfortable wearing shorts, swimming, etc. you might try some of the products people have used on this site. They've made a HUGE difference for a lot of us. See my other posts for what works for me, or check out other user's posts to find something else to try.

Good luck, and hang in there! There are more of us (KP-er's) than there are of them (Beautiful skin-ers)!

"Good luck, and hang in there! There are more of us (KP-er's) than there are of them (Beautiful skin-ers)!"

Sorry for being ignorant, but is this actually true?

Well, in this forum that's definitely true!

Btw, happy birthday OmegaMolecule!

Well, some figures say 40-50% and some say 50-60% have KP, which leaves 50% of people without it. When you factor in the people with acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, etc., it leaves very few in the "beautiful skin" category.

Hmmmm, I've yet to spot any kp arms on the crowded commuter train. All I see are lovely smooth shiny arms. First thing I look at, especially with women, is their arms.

Mind you, I refuse to cover mine up. If someone has a problem with them, it's their problem, not mine.

Thanks Sofia, I did have a pretty decent birthday!


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I've given some thought about this whole KP being a "terrible disfiguring disease" thing.

Methinks that KP in actuality is as innocent as freckles - one of them is caused by overproduction of keratin in hair follicles, another by spots of unevenly distributed high concentrations of melanin. One is brown, one is red and/or bumpy. Both genetic, both incurable, both harmless.
It's just good freckle PR that they aren't considered as unsightly as KP! How fair is that?

That is kind of weird- freckles are considered to be just so cute. Grr.

Hi Everybody this my first post I found this site about four years ago, back then the best ideas were letting mayo sit on the afflicted spots! I am sooo excited and proud of all of you, the ideas and tips are wonderful. I'll tell you if I had a dollar for every time someone has had something to say to me about my arms I could have funded my own research team to cure kp! I am 33 and don't know what its like to not have kp. But my best advice is never ever let this stop you from doing what you want to do. Let your confidence define you not kp!!

I sat next to a girl on the train this morning who had really bad acne (deffo acne and not KP) on her upper arms and shoulders and face. She was beautiful - one of those long limbed, blonde, tanned types. She was wearing a shoestring strap black linen dress with her hair tied up and she was quite obviously defiant. To my shame I caught myself looking at her spotty shoulders and she quite plainly looked me straight in the eye. I smiled in such a way as to convey "good on you girl" and came away thinking .. if only I'd had that courage in my 20s, I'd have felt so much freer. So come on all you KPers .. is it your problem, or someone else's that they find it abnormal looking?

Well, I've always had the bumps on my upper arms and upper thighs, ever since I can remember, but my mom and sisters did too. There are so many people that have KP that I never felt insecure about it. I would see lots of people with KP and figured it was normal. I didn't even know it was a disease. Of course I would rather it not be there, and I'm always amazed at how smooth my husband's upper arms are, but I've never had anyone ever say anything to me about it. I'm not at all embarassed of it.

man i cant believe how so insecure i am... i dont let my husband touch my arms or butt, i look at other girls arms and legs to see if they have it, i get jealous that every girl can wear short SHORT shorts (mind you) and that i get lucky if i cant wear capris, people ask me all the time.. "wats up with the scars?" "wat the F*** is that?" "wat are those?" "are you sick?" and i get red and make up excusses all the time... i hate that i have this condition. my mom and dad dont have it, but my bro and sis do.. and there arms are 2x better then mine... they say god made us beautiful (which i agree but..) but i dont see how red things and scars make me FEEL beautiful. they say you have to love on self to be loved but i simply cant. i just cant...

I wish i didnt have it on my face Along with of course, having it on my legs, chest, and mildly on my arms.

So f******* unfair.

Yeah, I catch myself looking at other women's arms too...it's like...they are all so smooth and tan...depressing