Keratosis Pilaris.
Keratosis Pilaris Blog, KP Blog by www.helpforkp.com
Keratosis Pilaris (KP) is a very common, but relatively unknown skin condition that affects half the world's over-all population -- and most of them don't know it... Keratosis Pilaris is characterized by the appearance of small rough bumps on the skin. Primarily it appears on the back and outer sides of the upper arms, but can also occur on thighs and buttocks or any body part except for palms or soles. 'Keratosis' means that there is too much keratin – which makes up the tough horny outer layer of the skin: 'pilaris' comes from the Latin word for hair (pilus).
Welcome to the Keratosis Pilaris Awareness Blog
This blog is intended to establish awareness about keratosis pilaris here and on my site, HelpForKP.com.
Keratosis Pilaris — Millions of people are affected by this rarely mentioned but all-too-common hereditary condition also known as "KP" and "chicken skin".
I have had keratosis pilaris for as long as I can remember. I first found out about KP during my first dermatology visit back in '91.
The dermatologist knew immediately that the bumps on my arms, trunk (torso), thighs, and legs were keratosis pilaris -- (first time I'd ever even heard of "keratosis pilaris"). She said that I had the worst case she'd ever seen at the time.
She did an excellent job, explaining this chronic skin condition to me, but unfortunately the treatments that I was prescribed were just to harsh for my sensitive kp skin.(Retin-A & Lac-Hydrin to name a few.)
The bumps on my body aren't as bad now as they were back then, but they are still there, (at age 34) and they do still bother me... So, I made the decision to create helpforkp.com in the hopes that the rest of the population would learn about KP as well.
I am hoping that keratosis pilaris will be as well known as acne, eczema, and rosacea in the near future (because of the fact that nearly half the adult population has KP, and over half of all adolescence have KP; yet the majority of them have never heard of it before).
It would just be nice for keratosis pilaris to have the same type of exposure. (At least some of the beauty and fashion magazines are mentioning KP these days.)
I hope that everyone that comes across this blog finds it to be of help.
Regards,
Karen
If you have keratosis pilaris and wish to discuss this skin disorder with others, visit the Keratosis Pilaris Forum. A message board community specifically for KP sufferers.
Keratosis Pilaris Website
More information about keratosis pilaris at SkinCare4U
-- Updated: original entry - Feb. 13, 2005 (8:45 AM) --
Keratosis Pilaris links
- Keratosis Pilaris Help: Providing information on keratosis pilaris, the inherited skin condition characterized by rough, bumpy skin on the back of the arms.
- Keratosis Pilaris Forum: Support for keratosis pilaris sufferers
- Keratosis Pilaris Treatment: Note - There is no cure for keratosis pilaris, however treatments for KP can control it.
- Keratosis Pilaris Pictures: Images of what keratosis pilaris looks like.
Dermatology links
- American Academy of Dermatology: Dry Skin and Keratosis Pilaris
- American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: Keratosis pilaris is particularly common in teenagers on the upper arms. It may occur in babies where it tends to be most obvious on the cheeks.
- eMedicine - Keratosis Pilaris : Background: Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a disorder of hyperkeratosis. It is a very common benign condition that manifests as folliculocentric keratotic papules.
- Keratosis pilaris - Mayo Clinic: Keratosis pilaris is a common skin disorder. It's not serious. But it can be frustrating because it's difficult to treat. The disorder results from a buildup of keratin, a protein, in the opening of the hair follicles in the skin.
Keratosis Pilaris Blogs
- Keratosis Pilaris Blog - MSN
- Keratosis Pilaris Blog - Blogspot
Other Keratosis Pilaris links
- Answers.com: keratosis pilaris: Information From Answers.com
- Wikipedia: Keratosis pilaris from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
- Wikipedia: Goose bumps (goosebumps) from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
- DMOZ: Top: Health: Conditions and Diseases: Skin Disorders
- keratosis pilaris is mentioned in the following topics: acne, goose bumps, hyperkeratinization, hyperkeratosis, keratin, keratosis pilaris, KP, List of common diseases, List of diseases starting with K, List of skin diseases, pimple, pore, retinol, rosacea, Salicylic acid, sebaceous gland, skin, Tretinoin
Photo Album: Keratosis Pilaris
kp_skin
exfoliate
skin
keratosis_pilaris
My other websites
- SkinCare4U: More than just great skin care...
- Beauty-Forums.com: Message Board Community
- Upstate Style Magazine: Blog
Published Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2005 19:33:36 GMT
See the full version here:
"I have had keratosis pilaris since I was about 4 or 5. (I am 22 now). I always just called it my "bumpy skin" and when i went to the dr. about it a long time ago, he didn't really have anything to recommend me. My husband has it as well, but mine is a lot worse. It covers my entire upper arms, and my lower jaw.
I am so happy I found some other people like me, and hopefully there are some good tips here that can make it go away."
"I have lots of red dots on the tops of my legs (thighs). It's so embarrassing to wear a swimsuit."
"I have had keratosis pilaris on my face, arms, thighs, and legs ever since I was a child. I just wish KP could be cured!!"
"I'm glad I found this site. I have had KP ever since I can remember, and I find it very annoying. I have it bad on my upper and lower arms and just the splotches on my legs."
"omg. i have that. i get it from my dad too! though i am naturally tanned so you can't see them that bad."
"i have had kp since i was a child. like many, i didn't know what it was. my mother is from a different country and has beautiful, perfect olive skin. as a kid, she thought the bumps, (the thai words for zits are "sels") were because i didn't bathe well enough. and as a result, i was forever in the tub. from what i have read so far, over bathing with drying soaps is the worst thing to do.
i am interested in any information i can find right now. i am 30 this year and have just discovered that there is something i can do to help my "sel" issue."
"After all these years of not knowing what these bumps were on my arms, I finally know what they are now thanks to your site!"
"Hi, I'm 30-something and just found out that I have kp. I have had it for years but didn't know what it was. Nice to know I'm not alone."
"I have always hated showing my arms because of my "chicken skin". People would always ask me if I was cold and had goose bumps..."
"Keratosis pilaris can be controlled with alpha hydroxy acid gel but no known cures. This condition is a disorder of the skin that is hereditary, and commonly found in people with very dry skin and/or a vitamin A deficiency.
So many finding out if you have a vitamin A deficiency may help. I get it and lose it. Then it comes back once in awhile..."
"I just found this site & am so thankful! I'm 20, and just learned what KP was, although I've had it as far back as I can remember no one ever knew what it was."
"I am a mom of 3 beautiful children. One with severe KP (or so i think that is what it is) another just starting to show small patches.
I am hoping to find some valuable info on this site and meet new people as I learn."
"I just found out what this was, I had no idea there was a technical name for it!"
"I knew these bumps on my arms weren't acne, it's good to know what they are finally!"
"I'm a 40-year old mom to 2 wonderful boys, ages 10 and 12. I've had KP my whole life, but never really thought much about it. I have just never worn tank tops. Mine is noticeable on my upper arms and thighs.
Our pediatrician has noticed it on my older son's face, arms and legs, and then pointed out that I had it, too. It was never really an issue for me since it was never severe and it has faded considerably - I do remember it being much more noticeable when I was in college.
My 12-year old's face has gotten extremely flushed recently, which I attribute to his hitting puberty. He had gotten reddest when he was exercising or out either either extreme temperature. Now, however, he is always red.
Tonight while having dinner with friends, they commented on my son's face since they hadn't seen him in a while, so I decided to go online and hence, I have learned quite a bit and can relate to many of your stories."
"I have had KP since I was a baby, but the lotions have never really helped me. I have permanently flushed cheeks with two matching white patches on each side, plus the dots all up and down my legs and arms. As a kid, other kids would always point and ask and tell me I had pimples and I'd just say, "No, I have a skin condition." ... THAT went well. Now I am 19 and really seeking treatment. Friends are always asking me if I have sensitive skin because I have such bad "razor burn". They don't believe me when I say it's not razor burn, so I have to show them my arms and say "Look, it's all over my arms, too. Does it look like I shave my arms?" I wish it would all just go away!"
"My toddler and my newborn baby both have keratosis pilaris. They have the red cheeks and rough bumps all over their arms."
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