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serenitynow , 25 Jun 2009

KP Arm pickers?

Hi there, just wanting to connect with others who pick at the kp on their arms/legs. My arms are the worst; I have such a hard time ignoring a swelling bump and need any ideas on how to resist the urge. It just feels WRONG to leave it alone! And in some lighting my arms look bumpy everywhere! Besides wearing long sleeves all the time, I'm not sure what else I can do to fix it. Any lotions or potions that actually work for kp? TIA.
51 Answers
Jesica
July 01, 2010
So now that I have fully committed to saying I am a picker and that I've gone to my doc for help....and have been told I'm OCD...I've been thinking about what I am OCD about...and could only think of only a couple things...not harmful...but of course I've been thinking abou tit the whole night....I can write awhole page about waht I do that is OCD....My special number 3...so will try to break my habits...today I told my husband we are only kissing once beforeyou go to work! LOL!...usually it's a 3 pucker kiss...he chuckled.... I put tripple antibiotic ointment on last night for 2nd night in arow..my arms look so much better...now...to not pick....my arms itch...I should take benadryl..but If I take benadryl I'll get really sleepy...goign to try cortizon 10 and see if that will help today.
Maxine
July 01, 2010

In reply to by Jesica

I went to the docs today too. I told him I pick but didn't have the guts to say "and I think I'm OCD about it" but he actually diagnosed me with mild eczema which makes my skin dry and can cause scabs and itchiness, which might make me touch and inspect my skin more often. Ive put some of the prescribed cream on and my skin feels so smooth now. Those bumps won't go of course, and theres so much scarring that the skin will always be pickable! But it's just another positive step.
Jesica
July 01, 2010

In reply to by Maxine

Maxine..it could be that he's treating it as eczema and that he's thinking maybe he can solve it that way ...but then if it doesn't will diagnose you as OCD later......I actually was a little more descriptive in my picking...which my doc picke up on as OCD...he noticed it right off before I stated I was a picker...I told him I had excema but I pick, Im a picker..and he replied "Yes, you are."...and this was a new doc too....let me tell you it was a load to get off my chest..but feel a lot better..waht really hacks me is that my dermatoligist 10 years ago diagnosed me with prurigo.nodularis....I thought that was a type of excema...but it's the diagnoses for skin picking...but all that dermatologist did was treat me for ezcema and not about why I picked and didn't confront me with it..though thinking back..I think maybe at that time...didn't classify it as OCD? who knows...but now getting treatment so hopefully i'll want to go out on spur of the moment or have people over spur of the moment and not have to worry about my arms or my house!
Slim_Pickins
July 07, 2010

In reply to by Jesica

Me too! I am taking antibiotic ointment for some scabs that got infected, but i think im going to just use it on all of my scabs, infected or not. i am seeing such fast results, and they are all healing beautifully. i deff think everybody here should talk to their doctor about anti biotic ointment
brens
July 02, 2010
Hi there. I am hoping by admitting online to someone that I have this disorder, it will help me quit. I used to do it in my late 20's and almost quit for awhile but have taken it up again at 42. I have little kp bumps on the backs of my arms that I pick. Which of course just makes a huge bump that really is noticeable. I pick at my back alot, and now have begun picking at my butt and legs a little....It is getting out of control and is controlling my life because it dictates what clothing I have to wear to cover up, and that keeps me from enjoying summer activities that require scant clothing. It also affects my sex life because I am loathe to be seen naked. I am trying to quit, but find myself picking without even knowing it--while I'm driving, while I'm at the computer, waking up at night to pick for hours. I have also begun to pick at my scalp for the last couple of days--this new way to pick is possibly stress induced as a friend just committed suicide....Why do i pick? I think I relate to almost everyone's answers. I am very satisfied at popping all the white dirty stuff out of my pores. Knowing or even thinking about there being something in my pores that causes a bump on my skin creates a crazy making urge to pick. It is self perpetuating because I then have to pick at the scabs which actually do itch as all scabs do when they are healing. Grrrrrrrr. Sorry this is long. years up pent up frustration here like many others. I did quit picking to a huge degree in my 20's when I got artificial nails, because the bluntness of the artificial nails made it difficult to pick effectively. The downside to that is upkeep and expense of the nails to look nice all the time. I have to quit for myself, but also for my daughter who has kp on her arms and I dont' want her to start picking. At least I will know how to watch out for the behavior. On occasion when I know I need to wear something skimpy i manage to stop picking temporarily--by cutting my fingernails extremely short, and forcing myself to scratch the "itchy" area through clothing rather than picking at skin.
Jesica
July 02, 2010

In reply to by brens

OMG! YOu are so me!..I'm 43...did the fake nails thing....my young daughter has KP...and find myself wanting to pick at her.....and then last week saw my daughter starting to want to pick the KP...because that is what I do...horrible...that forced me to go to doctor to get help to heal up my arms..instead...he told me I was OCD..and with a simple little pill...low dosage..should free me up to not hone in on my arms. I'ts been a day and a half...last night...I picked maybe a couple of times..I was not set off to pick..now this morning I slept in..and found myself picking and not wanting to take that pill..so I could pick..silly?...finally did take pill..and don't care about picking...I see it but dont' feel urge to pick..... For my daughters I asked them to speak out and tell me not to pick..funny how I've asked my daughters to help me..and when I was a kid..hated my dad beign on my case for picking! LOL! Go to your doc...admit you are a picker and explain the years of what you have been going through and you are ready to grab a hold of this and get it under control so you don't pass on your behaviours to your daughter... I cried in my car after my appt. with my doc...I was embarrassed a little by admitting I was a picker...but was so RELIEVED...that there was someone on my side to help me. As with everyone..everyone is different..my treatment might not be right for others...so it's best for each individual to consult with thier doctor on the best coarse of action. Good luck!...get healed up so you can wear that bathing suit! I have two wonderful dress up tank tops that I have been wanting to wear for 2 years now...it's my goal to wear them sometime this summer! :-)
Jesica
July 02, 2010

In reply to by brens

OMG! YOu are so me!..I'm 43...did the fake nails thing....my young daughter has KP...and find myself wanting to pick at her.....and then last week saw my daughter starting to want to pick the KP...because that is what I do...horrible...that forced me to go to doctor to get help to heal up my arms..instead...he told me I was OCD..and with a simple little pill...low dosage..should free me up to not hone in on my arms. I'ts been a day and a half...last night...I picked maybe a couple of times..I was not set off to pick..now this morning I slept in..and found myself picking and not wanting to take that pill..so I could pick..silly?...finally did take pill..and don't care about picking...I see it but dont' feel urge to pick..... For my daughters I asked them to speak out and tell me not to pick..funny how I've asked my daughters to help me..and when I was a kid..hated my dad beign on my case for picking! LOL! Go to your doc...admit you are a picker and explain the years of what you have been going through and you are ready to grab a hold of this and get it under control so you don't pass on your behaviours to your daughter... I cried in my car after my appt. with my doc...I was embarrassed a little by admitting I was a picker...but was so RELIEVED...that there was someone on my side to help me. As with everyone..everyone is different..my treatment might not be right for others...so it's best for each individual to consult with thier doctor on the best coarse of action. Good luck!...get healed up so you can wear that bathing suit! I have two wonderful dress up tank tops that I have been wanting to wear for 2 years now...it's my goal to wear them sometime this summer! :-)
brens
July 02, 2010

In reply to by Jesica

jessica, Yes, we sound very much alike! I am glad you are getting some help and that the meds may be working for you. It is so hard to comprehend a little pill taking away this extreme urge to pick....I will be watching and hoping for you to get better along with me and so many others with this condition. who knew? Until today, I wasn't aware there were others....and still coming to terms with being OCD. I've picked less today, managed not to pick anything for half a day, went shopping with kids, and then began picking while driving home. I'm having a really tough time right at this moment because some of the 'bumps' are already beginning to heal and begging for my attention. Grrrrrr. On a positive note, I managed to leave my back and my arms alone today and did manage to stop before anything was bleeding. Good luck!
Jesica
July 03, 2010

In reply to by brens

I do pick just a tiny bit....I do find myself only picking those that will not bleed..basically those scabs that are flaking off. The pill I'm taking is working slightly..but I can see the difference and my pharmacists said that it may take 3-4 weeks for it to really take into effect....also...I've been waking up with headaches....not sure if it is from pill or just sinuses....but once I eat and take pill goes away pretty much in about 30 minutes. I also pick a lot in the car...and have tissues and box of bandaid if I need them....now I just feel my arms and not so much picking..but it's nice that I'm kind of let go of that need to do it..but I haven't let go all together Good luck today!
Jesica
July 07, 2010
So I bought the ProActive set and have been using it on face and arms..I have noticed that my little KP bumps are not so noticeable or not even there.....something to think about...
Lara Coimbra
July 09, 2010
well, i have this problem too my arms are awful.... :| sun light on it every day helps a bit...
Maxine
July 11, 2010
My doctor gave me steroid cream for my mild eczema, I asked if it would get rid of bumps n he said there was nothing for that (although that disagrees with what other people on this forum have said) and actually it's worked a treat. Within a week the bumps were gone, the scabs are almost gone, and the scars have flattened. For the first time since I was a kid the backs of my arms feel smooth! Ive run out already. You're not sposed to use it too much cos it thins the skin, but I want to get some more for my legs etc. The kp bumps are only on my arms but my legs are in a bad way from picking and smoothing those scars would make me feel so positive about quitting. However, I'm now using the moisturiser he gave me for when the steroid cream ran out, and there's one or two bumps back already. The point is I haven't changed my point of view, which is that getting stuff out of my skin feels clean and good. I wonder if I can ever truly change? Secondary to that though, the desire to pick is reducing. But it's early days. Without picking as a coping, numbing mechanism though, I'm finding myself feeling depressed a lot.
jo7124
September 04, 2010
Guys please google 'sea buckthorn for KP' and look on the keratosis Pilaris website for a blog by someone called Sir Duckles x
lxk
September 04, 2010
I have the exact same problem with KP bumps and I have for the past 6 years. I recently moved into an apartment by myself and started working a second job and it has gotten out of control. This is the first summer where I haven't been able to get into a bathing suit... sometimes I don't even want to leave my apartment I am so embarrassed. I'm glad that I'm not the only one with this problem. It feels good to know I'm not alone .
Chazzles
September 05, 2010
i have found that Bio Oil helps if you use it everyday and also making sure that i have something to do all the time.
MAD-am
September 05, 2010
yeah i used to use bio oil too but i find that its too expensive now, so i use castor oil with a few drops of tea tree oil mixed in, i rub it into the kp bumps on my arms and face. sometimes leave it on over night otherwise i just apply the oils leave it on for a while then wash it off. castor oil is renound for skin healing and tea tree oil has antiseptic properties which should help avoid the kp from developing into whiteheads.
jo7124
September 05, 2010

In reply to by MAD-am

Im using castor oil too,I started afew months ago doing the OCM for my face with castor oil and jojoba oil mix,read more about castor oil and was amazed,so have started using it on my arms.I also use it once a week on my scalp too for scalp problems and shedding hair.I posted a message on here afew days ago regarding sea buckthorn for KP ,Im hoping that both sea bucthorn taken orally and castor oil externally will have a positive outcome!
MAD-am
September 06, 2010

In reply to by jo7124

sounds like you have a good skin care routine there, ive just started using castor oil and already my skin look brighter and fresher, but im not sure im using it properly, can you explain what OCM is and how it works please? also where do you get sea buckthorn from? is it a tablet or do you have to drink it etc
jo7124
September 09, 2010

In reply to by MAD-am

Hi MAD-am, heres a link of a good website explaining all about OCM http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/. My face has been much better since changing to this routine,Ive been doing this since about may this year and I cant remember the last time I sat in front of the mirror and picked until I was a mess,I dont seem to get that urge anymore.Its trial and error with getting the right ratio and how often you do it.Here is the link about sea buckthorn for KP,its very interseting.SIBU.com is a retailer of sea buckthorn products,again I think its down to trial and error which you would like to try oil,soap,juice etc.I am taking tablet form and using the sibu soap,the oil is ok but its a deep colour and can be alittle messy!After reading the second link,I think table form should suit me better because I have KP on my upper arms and my scalp is driving me nuts itching etc.Hope some of this info helps you!
MAD-am
September 16, 2010

In reply to by jo7124

thanks for the ocm link jo7124 i found it very interesting im going to give it a go as it seems very simple to do and i think it should help my skin look better, i get kp on my cheeks as well as my arms and scrubbing it just makes it more obvious.

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