Keratosis Pilaris and CSP

Posted May 25th, 2009 by LongSleeves
Does anyone else have bumps on their back of their arms/ sometimes on legs (look like ingrown hairs) that they pick at?
‹ Day 3 No Picking Help w/ girlfriend's picking as result of PTSD/Meth ›
On March 2nd, 2013 wh0re0nthehill said:
im just realizing i have this. I always knew there was something weird about why i pick . when i was little i picked scabs. and now, i have keratosis pilaris, which seems like ingrown hairs or pimples to me. i hate when i have a ready pimple and i dont pop it. so seeing the bumps on my arms i pick ..a lot. there are red marks all over my upper arms. also, my thighs are starting to show some scarring... and i have always picked my face. anywhere i get keratosis pilaris, i pick. and then it scars, or leaves a red mark forever. i think that ive picked so much, that ive caused so much scar tissue, that my hairs cant grow in through the scar tissue, and i get ingrown hairs. which makes my sores take forever to heal. i also have been told by a doctor before that i have staph infection. she prescribed me something, but it was long ago , and i dont have insurance. so im sure that i could very well have staph again. im not sure. just worried. feeling a scab or pimple just bothers me, and it will eat at me until i pick of the rough scaly bump ...and i dont do out of self mutilation. im tired of wearing long sleeves in the summer
On September 8th, 2012 just.me said:
I've just turned 21 and I can't remember when I started picking, but I think it was about 11. I've been researching KP for a long time, and tried numerous things to clear it up, but basically because I haven't been addressing the picking problem I have, nothing has worked. I only found out about CSP about an hour ago, and I'm hoping this might really help me conquer this once and for all. I've always had KP on my arms, and because I'm pale it's always been quite noticeable. I remember when I was about 14 I managed to stop picking for a while, but I don't know how I managed to do it now. Then when I was 15 I started to notice little bumps on my legs as well, but only a few. I started to pick those, and once I was 16 and my adolescence was in full swing I was picking both my arms and my legs worse than ever. Then when I was 18 I managed to calm down my picking to an extent, because I was having a lot of fun and I had a tight group of friends and was generally too busy to pick. Then when I was 19 my father passed away, and because of the will and all the legal stuff I was constantly stressed and had no time to go out or see my friends. I started picking really badly then, I've calmed down a little bit now but really I just want to STOP, and heal my skin. I also started to get blemishes on my face, but not severe acne, but I do suffer from occasional cystic spots on my face that I used to pick really badly using pins and tweezers, but I think I've managed to stop that but it's very very hard still. At time the combined picking of my arms legs, face, back or just about anywhere I can find a blemish, has meant I haven't been able to leave the house for days, and have felt really down. For the last, well for as long as I can remember, I've not been able to show my legs or my arms all year, and always have to tights or hoodies to cover my arms and legs. A few times recently when my skin has started looking better I've worn skirts and it's actually felt okay, but at times I've felt really self conscious. Though I think letting the skin breathe a bit might have helped the KP. I've also been wearing my arms out but this has made me very uncomfortable, and because my arms have been bare I've been picking more. I've never written this down like this, or really told anyone. I've never been to my GP, and while my parents and friends have noticed I've never told them about the picking and just blame it on the KP. I really want some help, I want to go on holiday to the beach or go swimming, I want to wear skirts and not look in the mirror and just have this urge to pick, or sit watching TV and suddenly realise I've been picking without even noticing. Or for once to not leave an argument and instantly try and find solitude so I can pick and calm down. I've tried distracting myself with other hobbies I enjoy but it has never worked. Hopefully now when I want to pick I will post here so I can talk about it. I feel a lot better just for typing this out already. Thanks so much xx
On July 16th, 2012 DMBertaux97 said:
I started picking my KP this year... I didn't know what they were and thought they were just pimples that I could pop and then they would easily go away. I was wrong and picking at them has just made my arms look terrible. I have been picking for less than a year and i already have scars on my upper arms. I loathe my arms and just wish i could stop this terrible habit of mine but it is so hard! What's even worse is when people ask me about it and to make things worse the day after i pick i get small bruises on my arms because i bruise easily, and always have. This year my start of 8th grade, i was very stressed and had a lot of anxiety. My classes were getting harder and being a straight A student i was always worried about the upcoming test, or quiz, and how i was doing academically as well as socially. This just added to my stress and anxiety and when i had these feelings I would just pick away at the bumps on my arms that i soon got to know as Keratosis Pilaris. KP is my EVERY DAY battle and i can barely go a day without picking it. I'm hoping to drop this habit before next year but it is just SO DIFFICULT. Does anyone have any product/treatment recommendations? Also, if there are any prior pickers out there, what helped you to drop this habit, advice anyone?
On July 20th, 2012 valentine said:
xxx
On July 20th, 2012 valentine said:
Hey DMBertaux97. I had KP from my teens through my early 30s and I too couldn't leave it alone. Good news is that it is possible to get rid of the problem and, eventually, what look to be those permanent scars. I say this because my upper arms were also totally marked up but since stopping the KP and hence the picking (of that area, I still fight the picking other places on my body), my upper arm skin has returned to 100% normal and I'm figuring my case was at least as bad as you're describing. Anyway: what got rid of the KP for me was regular exfoliation (with a towel, after coming out of the shower) and a product called Glytone. My derm told me about it. The "KP Kit" consists of Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash, Glytone Retexturize Body Lotion, and a nylon shower sponge. You can get it on amazon and one "Kit" lasts for at least 6 months if I recall correctly. Anyway, I think it has a lot of alpha hydroxy acid or something in it. Point is, I noticed that just having a "system" to apply made me pick less. It's definitely worth a try! (Oh, and one note: I'd sometimes use hydrogen peroxide on the open sores til they scabbed over enough to apply the lotion as I don't think the lotion should be used on open sores.) Good luck!
On June 13th, 2009 hottsoup123 said:
Yess. And it sucks a lottt.. I just found out what KP was actually, but I'm certain I have it...I've been picking at those bumps for like 5 years. It's addictive...I hate them.
On June 13th, 2009 hottsoup123 said:
Yess. And it sucks a lottt.. I just found out what KP was actually, but I'm certain I have it...I've been picking at those bumps for like 5 years. It's addictive...I hate them.
On June 13th, 2009 serenitynow said:
So relieved to find this forum. I can so completely relate to everything you are talking about. After 20+ years of shame, I'm ready (or hope I am) to face this disorder squarely and create some compassion for myself. I have been filled with loathing for too long! Now I have two little girls, age 2 1/2 and almost a year and I so don't want to model this behavior for them. My 2 y.o. has the KP bumps (from both her dad and me) and I hate that feeling her skin is a trigger for me to pick. I can feel so "on top of it", feeling no urges at all, and then just sensing a bulge under the skin prompts me to pick, with no hesitation. Long sleeves do help me; I'm wondering if I am destined to wear long sleeves forever since botht the picking marks AND the KP are unsightly! I look at women with perfectly smooth arms and feel such longing and self hatred. It's tough. Thanks for the vent.
On May 26th, 2009 Tweezer said:
yup. suffered with KP for as long as I can remember. I manage to leave my arms mostly alone (the scars that I've already made are fading,) and I do EVERYTHING I can--including channel that energy to my shins, to leave them alone. My legs are a hideous mess. All began with ingrowns and KP. But don't ever feel alone. Something like 80% of us pickers started due to a pre-existing skin condition. stay on here and talk to people. It's kind of amazing.
On May 28th, 2009 mamma said:
I agree, it is amazing! : ) Thanks for sharing
On May 26th, 2009 LongSleeves said:
I always remembered the KP on my arms, i didn't start to pick until puberty and the anxiety that comes with this time of life. A few bumps on my legs turned into many when i started shaving. Didn't like my parents, staying in room picking legs all night long. then when I was 19 I broke my right arm and had to depend on my parents to get me around. I then developed a method with a cast from shoulder to wrist to pick at bumps on my other arm."where there is a will there is a way" Picked the heck out of my left arm all summer and the once cast came off right arm picked it. Summer time has been terrible, until I get a burn or tan and it hides the bumps and scars. OTherwise, bathing suits are terribly embarrassing when some inevitably says what is wrong with your arms??? I've had various excuses like "it's a skin condition" to all out lies of "I"m allergic to cotton and my T-shirt sleeves bother my allergic arms". one thing is always certain, when I feel out of control the picking starts almost uncontrollably. I will wear long sleeves and pants and as soon as short sleeves and shorts are on, all I have to do is run my hand along the bumpy skin and it starts... and it can't just be one. i've tried that, self-deals, "just one on this arm, and just one on that arm and just one on that leg....etc." Then the total disgust at the mess that has been created. TERRIBLE, self-loathing for doing this and having to cover it all up again!! Hormonal events such as pregnancy and nursing, just make the cycle worse, more time alone, more time picking, more time stressed about your life out of control with hormones more time picking...I hope I can stop this terrible cycle that has been going on for almost 27 years, shocking!
On May 28th, 2009 mamma said:
Keep writing and reading here! You are in the right place. I have gone six consective days now without picking. I make sure to write and read on this forum everyday. I think if we can support eachother and share our experience, strength and hope we can do it! : )
For information on the skin picking disorder (Dermatillomania), symptoms, causes and treatment methods, get the Complete Guide to Skin Picking Disorders.