Hello everyone, another new member here.

I've been sitting here wondering whether I should post this, and I decided I should, because maybe it will help some people who have self confidence issues. If any of what I say causes problems, then please tell me and I'll try to do better next time.

I'll state up front I'm transgendered, which might explain some of what I say later.

I've suffered KP all my life. It's on my upper arms, shoulders, back and around my thighs. I've had times it's really bad and red and other times when it's "just bumpy". I always assumed it was eczema, and only three days ago did I go see a dermatologist who told me what it was. I told my mother who said that yes, she suffered too.

I used to hide myself away and hid who and what I was from myself, and others. I wore boring clothes and really, really tried to hide, and therefore hid the KP too.

Now, however, I want to wear the pretty stuff (some of which is revealing) and of course that means showing off my ugly arms, my ugly shoulders, my ugly thighs...

And I've come to a realisation that is really simple, but very hard to live by: If anyone has a problem with how I look, it can stay their problem. I refuse to deal with it.

If I want to wear a nice top that just happens to show off my arms and shoulders, then I will. And somehow my self confidence in that has deflected any criticism I might have got. (Of course, maybe meeting an amazonian style woman might shut them up too )

I still have issues with my thighs; and don't yet have the confidence to wear short skirts. It's knee length or longer for me. But I'm sure if I can keep pushing myself with this realisation and attitude, then one day I'll be confident enough to wear a skirt above the knees and not care.

And who knows? Maybe because of my confidence no-one will care, right?

Maybe because of my confidence no-one will care, right?

Yep
And if they do, well, you know where they can go
What are you using on your skin? We just started using a coconut oil on my daughters arms, and its done wonders. I am really impressed at how well her arms are looking, considering its winter.

I haven't been trying anything seriously until now; and all I'm doing now is researching.

The last few days I've been using a no fragrance, basic moisturiser (with Vitamin E) that I bought to use on a tattoo. I haven't seen any changes one way or the other; but then it's only been 3 days.

A friend of mine apparently has a sample of a new moisturiser here for me to try. I'll look up the URL when I get home if you like. It doesn't seem to be specifically for KP but more for generally dry skin conditions.

Thanks for sharing! that's a great attitude, and I know it can be hard to stick with that every day- but its awesome that you have realized it at all. Because really, in the grand scheme of things, what does it really matter if someone notices you have bumps and redness on your body? What can they possibly "think" about it that could hurt you? And if they do come up with something, do you really want to associate with that kind of person?

Keep that confidence up there, girl- you'll be making those short skirts look good soon enough!

Oh, and I hope you don't feel like you need to hold anything back here- and if you do- just remember that like you said, you could be helping someone else.