Thursday, May 29, 2008

About K.P.

Since so many of you can identify with my funky skin troubles, I'll share a few more details about my K.P. experience. K.P. stands for keratosis pilaris. I have had it my entire life, but I don't remember being bothered by it until junior high. I played volleyball and my sweaty knee pads made my already unlovely skin even more unsightly. There was a mean girl on our team and she loved to point it out and say "Ewwww!" Thankfully she moved away and I never had to see her face again after junior high.

I went to the dermatologist at that time but nothing really worked for me. This may have been due to my lack of consistency, but mostly I think it's because K.P. is extremely hard to deal with. The doctor swabbed my arms and legs with lactic acid and within an hour my skin was peeling like crazy. That was nuts. I was told to only bathe once a day (to avoid over-drying my skin) and that I had to use plain old Lubriderm lotion. I needed to steer clear of all the fragrant Bath and Body Works stuff my friends were using. Freesia? Flowering Herbs, anyone? These were forbidden fruits!

Discouraged that nothing seemed to work, I just sucked it up for years until last year when a dermatologist gave me some good solutions. My K.P. had gotten really out of control by this time. I started using the treatments and was amazed by the smoothness of my skin. I had never seen it that way before and I loved it! I felt okay about wearing sleeveless shirts and shorts. Glytone and another product I used before that (can't remember the name) worked well, but after a while my skin got used to it and it wasn't as effective. I think you have to stop treatment for a while and then resume again. It's like a cycle. I made my Glytone treatments coincide with my Cancun vacation last summer and my sister's wedding in February. It's most effective in the beginning.

Even though my K.P. doesn't really make me self-conscious anymore, having it treated is really nice. It surprises me how much I actually think about it when I realize I'm NOT thinking about it. So, if you have teenagers with bad K.P., I think it would be worth it to take them to the doctor or order some Glytone Body (also called the KP Kit) and see what happens. Maybe you can give them some clear skin goals like for summer camp or prom or your family's spring break beach vacation. I hope that helps answer some questions. The good thing about K.P. and any other skin problems is that it gives you compassion for others with appearance issues that can't be helped. That is one thing I wouldn't mind passing to my kids, even though it kills me to see it on my baby's sweet legs and arms.

Tomorrow is my office day and I can't believe I'm still awake! I need to go fall in the heavenly bed now. By the way, we are going on vacation tomorrow. If we come to mind, please pray for safe travel and a fun time with Jackson. This trip was planned with him in mind and I hope it is a success. See you in a few days!

39 comments:

Nicole said...

Hi Amanda! I was headed to bed and saw your post come up. My hubby is out of town so I tend to stay up later than normal. I just hate going to bed when he is not here! My 4, 3 and 2 year old are in there to keep me company though!! :)

Thanks for your info on KP. I have tried a few lotions but nothing helped. My 10 yr old has a touch of it too. I hate that for her. I will definitely look into Glytone,

Father, I pray that Amanda and her fam will have a blast on their vacation! God cover them with your hedge of protection and your peace that passes all understanding. Lord, grant Amanda and Curtis supernatural grace and refreshing to their body, mind and spirit! And Jesus I pray that you bless little Jackson's socks off with loads of fun with his Mom and Dad! In His Name!
Be blessed!!

Nicole said...

Maybe it is just late and I am delirious but I was just reading about Glytone for KP and then read the last statement. I am TOTALLY excited about this: "Proven 24 hour chronobiological formula diminishes the appearance of CELLULITE!!?" Wow...I am so getting this for sure! :)

Heather said...

Hope you were able to get some sleep! Have a great vacation and safe travels!

Robin said...

I have passed this down to two of my daughters and the treatment you mentioned is very effective. My girls suffered some of the same drama in middle school also. Thanks for sharing.

Angela said...

Thank you for sharing further. I read the previous post and began to wonder just what KP was. I googled it and found out I have it too! On my arms and thighs just above my knees. It drives me crazy, I thought it was from pregnancy. I need to see a dermatologist anyway (moles), so maybe I will get some help with KP. Thanks for being Dr. Amanda for me. :-)
We just did the whole kid vacation thing in our own town and it was fun. Our son loved every bit of it.
Enjoy your time with him.

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

hope you have a great vacation.....

something tells me you'll have lots of great pictures. :)

Marc and Charity said...

Hi Amanada, I have KP too on my upper arms. I didn't know what it was until after I had my Bailey 2 years ago, I thought it was some hormomal, hot in Texas thing. Wrong. It does not bother me too much though and I'm out of the lotion stuff and haven't found it over here yet..but I don't think I have it too bad anyway. Just wanted to let you know that. :) Have a fun vacation.

derrickandamy said...

Hey Amanda, what doctor did you use? Amy

The Schmidt Family said...

Great to know - Beau has KP too! Thanks for sharing

connorcolesmom said...

Praying for safe travels and a wonderful trip :)
Kim

Kelly @ Love Well said...

Have fun! Jackson is at such a fun age. I bet you'll have a great time.

Safe travels. Can't wait to hear the final report.

Anonymous said...

Have fun on vacation... one positive on our trip to TC was the down time... It's rare and lovely.

Unfortunately I have passed my KP onto Maddie and like you I struggled with being aware of it more in Jr. High where kids are mean. I'll have to keep hers under watchful eye and try the Glytone when she gets a little older if necessary... thanks for the tip. (Maybe, i'll enjoy a spotless leg vacation one day too :O)

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for the info on glytone. My d-i-l suffers from KP and our precious 1-year-old grandson was diagnosed with it a few months ago. Our daughter had her first baby 3 weeks ago. Could you recommend any books for her as she and her husband adjust to this little person? She is confused as to scheduling vs. non- scheduling, naptimes, etc.

Have a grand time on your vacation!

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your vacation... downtime is rare and lovely! If nothing else, TC was a chance for some rest and family time.

Unfortunately, I pass on my KP to Maddie, bummer. I'll definitely have to look into the Glytone come Jr. High... that's when I was most self conscience about it (I have it on my jaw line, upper arms and legs.) and when kids are mean about it. Who knows, maybe I'll have a spotfree leg vacation one day, too.

Tabaitha said...

Amanda! Oh my gosh, girl you have opened my eyes. I appreciate you writing about KP. I have suffered from this all my life and had no idea what it was called. I just thought that I had horrible dry skin and I was this weird freak in the midst of people with beautiful skin. Now I have a name for it and I plan on making an appointment with my dermatologist. Thank you girl!

~Tabaitha

Holly said...

I think our Kylie may have that...when our insurance kicks back in in July, I will take her in and have them check her.

Praying, praying for a marvelous, restful, peace-driven, hilarious, 'bounding in love time for you all!
holly

Marla Taviano said...

Thanks for all the helpful info. I'll be trying the KP Cure for Sure!

Praying for a refreshing, fun vacation!

Don't forget to blog about that great book you read...

Patty said...

Praying you have a great vacation!!

Love,
Patty

The Ugly Beautiful said...

Hope you have a fun trip! And here's a tip on the self tanning nivea lotion...at the central market HEB's they sell little bottles of oils in the organics isle. You can get jasmine, lavendar, rosewater, what have you. Mix some of that with your lotion and it doesn't smell as bad! And by the way, you are beautiful! :)

Kelly said...

Have so much fun on your trip!!!!! I hope Jackson does well and that ya'll just have a relaxing time whatever you are doing!!!!!

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

Have so, so much fun on your trip! Float for me on the lazy river, and eat some good food! I know Jackson will love it!

Superchikk said...

I totally understand about weird skin issues. I've had something similar to that on my legs since Junior High and while it comes and goes, it seems to come at the most inopportune times. And yes, there were horrible JH girls here too.

Strangely enough, my skin cleared up TREMENDOUSLY while I was pregnant. I loved it. And now that my baby boy is about to crawl, the bumps and stuff are back full-force. Along with terrible acne caused by who knows what, aggravated by the same sunscreen problem you're having!

I have, however, found that I can use Aveeno sunscreen and it doesn't seem to make things worse. Neutrogena (which is what my Dermo recommended) always makes me break out like CRAZY.

Tara said...

Amanda,

I just found your blog and have loved "backreading" from the beginning. I have loved seeing Jackson grow up all over again...with pictures! (and not just you or your mom's stories!) What a handsome little man he is- I pray that you all have a wonderful vacation with him!!!

Funny that I landed on your blog on a day that you would post about KP. I was just diagnosed with it about 2 months ago... As someone else commented, I thought it came from pregnancy, but my dermatologist explained that it is hereditary. I have no idea where I got it though! I don't have it on my legs but just the backs of my upper arms, and like you, I am very self-conscious about wearing sleeveless stuff. I tried Glytone bodywash for a while and saw no results, so my dermatologist has now put me on Retinae (sp?) lotion. How long did it take for yours to work? I am trying to be consistent and I so want it to be gone by summertime:)

Anyway, thanks for all that you do for LPM and for us siestas. I've enjoyed getting to know you through blogland! I can't wait to meet you in August.

With love and appreciation,
Tara

Kelly said...

My sweet little girl (9) has eczema, and the comments from other children just break my heart. I'm curious... is KP anything similar to eczema? I am always looking for new treatments for her. So sorry you have had this struggle, but your compassion for others is precious, and a blessing from such a miserable thing.

Ashton said...

You must be a night owl...Allison

Anonymous said...

Amanda,
Thank you, thank you, thank you, a thousand times! My 15 year old daughter has k.p. I thought she was literally allllll alone! It has been some time since she's been to a dermatologist. And that was only once! I cannot even recall what she was given, but I know it's not what you reccommend. She has struggled on and off with it...patches across her cheeks and on her arms mainly. And she plays volleyball, too. Lots of sweat! Don't know if that makes it worse. I will be sure to tell her of your suggestion and see about getting her back to the doc.!
Thanks a bunch!
Rena Gunther
http://insertgracehere.wordpress.com/

Anonymous said...

Have a great trip!
Thanks for the info!

Becky Kiser said...

hey amanda! i don't know if your skin reacts to skincare (lotions, soaps, makeup, etc) funny or not. but i would be happy to let you try some arbonne samples if you are looking for some all natural products. no pressure, just if you need to try something. :)

lots of people with serious skin issues have seen great results using arbonne, so i thought it might help be a supplement to what you are using. just let me know. :)

Anonymous said...

The best sunscreen for sensitive skin is MD Forte - SPF 30 - it is made for people who have had severe skin issues. I use it everyday under my makeup. Its light and you don't even know its there.

Amy T said...

Have a great trip! Can't wait to hear the details! :)

Anonymous said...

Amanda, I understand the dilemma with your skin problems. I am an Arbonne consultant. We have products that are proven to help with skin problems such as yours. And, our products are pure, safe, and beneficial. Please contact me at gayle@martinich.net.

God bless you and your family and I hope you have a wonderful vacation.

MamaCass said...

I hope ya'll have a wonderful vacation!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey try anything that doesn't have mineral oil in it. That stays on top of you skin and does not allow it to breathe. Avalon Organics, Kiss My Face, and Arbonne Baby Oil have all worked for me and my son.
I will definitely look into the Glytone.

In Christ.
Tessa Clark

Jackie said...

Thank you so much for posting this! Nothing I have tried has helped this. I have learned to just live with it, although I hate wearing sleeveless shirts. I'll definitely give it a try!

Momma-of-5 said...

Amanda,
Thanks for all the information about KP.
I know what you mean about giving your children compassion for others with "visible" issues. My daughter has a birth mark on the backside of her arm. It looks a lot like poison ivy, and most people assume that's what it is. Or, they ask her what happened. She says, "Oh that? It's my Zoe mark. It's how Mommy knew I was her baby in the hospital." Now, when she sees other people with discoloration, or scars, she just assumes it's their "mark".

3girlsmom said...

I had no idea what this was so I googled it. I SOOO HAVE THAT, TOO! I'm going to make a dermatologist appt asap to get this taken care of. I've had it my entire life but never knew what it was called. My mom took me to a dermatologist when I was a kid and he just told me to put lotion on it. Obviously that never worked. I was sitting by the pool today noticing how horrible the backs of my legs looked and then came in and read your blog. Coincidence? I think not. :)

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post.

Katie said...

Amanda! I have to tell you a story you'll love!

A few months ago I had a bad case of Strep and then came down with a rash- found out (after many doctors and appts) that it is Guttate Psoraisis. I'm 28 and this was its first appearance. Shortly after getting the news- and that it can and often is chronic- I went to hear your mom in Jacksonville. During he worship my sweet friend leaned over and said, "I just feel convicted to pray over your rash" and right after that your mom began speaking on Heaven and trading in our bodies of humiliation for bodies of glory- she actually said- "I mean, have you ever had a rash show up and you are like what in the world is THIS?" And me and my friends died laughing- it was like she'd overheard our prayer!

Anyway- it's gotten MUCH better but I am going to look up KP and see if maybe this cream can work for me, too! (Sorry for such a long comment.) :)

April said...

I also was going to suggest looking into Arbonne products. They are awesome. I have such dry skin, I love their scrubs and lotions, and they smell sooo good! It would be interesting to see if it helps your skin condition....

katiegfromtennessee said...

Hey Amanda,

I had no idea you had any kind of skin condition! You and your sister and your mother are such beautiful women inside and out:) God thinks you are georgeous, Amanda, acne and skin bumps and all:)

Also, I wanted to bless you and Curtis! That men's bible study is such a godsend to us-to the siestas:)

katiegfromtennessee