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ds12 , 30 Jul 2013

Keratosis pilaris

Has a link been made between the above skin condition and picking? Its a hereditary 'bumpy skin' disorder, with no real problems, other than looking like chicken skin! Follicles are clogged with keratin, apparently. Its common in Irish/scottish bloodlines. Does anyone have this and pick it?
7 Answers
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Iwillpickneveragain
July 30, 2013
Yes I have it and I'm addicted to picking it. I'm currently on day 2 of not picking.
Pearlie
August 02, 2013
Finding this forum is a godsend! I also have KP and have been picking at it since I was about ten. I also had a pretty good bout of acne as a teen, and as an adult I seem to obsess over hairs on my face (chin, upper lip and eyebrows-stray hairs that is). I've always been self-conscious of my legs and arms, as even though it's supposedly common people still ask what's wrong with me. Being in the sun definitely makes it worse. As a teen I never wanted to wear shorts because I was so embarrassed. The worst place I think, is the KP on my butt. Why? Because it's like a free pass to pick away since no one will see it. Except that I'm now 42 and only want to be intimate with the lights out so no one knows my dirty little secret. Some things that make my KP/scab picking/hair plucking worse: I have a 10x lighted magnifying mirror so I can see all my imperfections on my face. I don't overpluck, only the hair that needs to go but I will obsess over getting every one. I do this nearly every night. I have found some workarounds for damage control. First, I use almond oil when I get out of the shower and the skin is still wet. I let it sink in for a few minutes before drying off. This makes the KP not quite as bad. Also, I've found that if you spray colloidal silver on a fresh wound, it will immediately stop the bleeding and create a smooth "unpickable" barrier. Of course in a day or two it will dry and become appealing again. I don't know about anyone else, but my picking really revs up when I'm in bed trying to sleep. There is nothing to do but run my hands over my thighs, arms and butt to find any perceived flaws. It might start out as a KP plug, but it ends up being a giant blemish. Somehow the act of finding something to pick at is calming and gratifying. It's as if after I've picked it, I've rendered it powerless. It sounds ludicrous, I know. I have avoided looking at my worst picking spot - my buttocks - because I'm afraid of what all the scars look like. Geez, I feel like I"m rambling. If anyone has any neat tips and tricks to stop this behavior, I'm all ears!
Pickerchick
July 11, 2014
I have also been suffering from KP and dermatillomania since I was a young teen. It gets worse when I'm stressed, it's like the picking relieves my stress somehow. Sometimes I spend so much time in the bathroom picking that when I come out my husband says "where have you been? I thought you left the house!" It's so embarrassing. I've had counseling and even tried antidepressants at the suggestion of my doctor but it didn't help. My advice to the other women out there, as the only thing that has ever helped me, is this: Go get your nails done. I'm talking a full set of acrylic nails. It's almost impossible to pick your skin when you've got those things on!
goodgirlbadgirl
July 18, 2014
I can't believe there's a forum for this. I've been trying so hard to figure out what is wrong with me. I spend hours a day (and nite) in front of the mirror with tweezers. I always feel like there are hairs under my skin trying to get out. Sometimes it even seems like if I pluck a hair on my face I see other hairs pop out a few inches below it. I don't even kno at this point if I have some type of condition of the skin or if it's all in my head. My husband& kids get so aggravated with me you guys & its sooo embarrassing. Unlike most of you I have never had any problems/obsessions like this, never even had acne before. In fact my skin was flawless. I have totally ruined it now. I don't even know what to do. It feels like I have spikey worms moving around in there. I know that sounds ridiculous & I'm well aware that there are no worms in my face but not convinced that something isn't in there. I always feel like I need to pluck out just one more & the result is huge open places that can't heal. I have one on me that is now a scar that's the size of a nickel. It's so ugly. What triggers this? Why all of a sudden have I started this in my 30's & how do I stop? Someone please help me, I have spent so much time in the bathroom that my house is a disaster & my friends all think I hate them b/c I always cancel our plans due to the places on me. My husband & I are having terrible issues. I also have BPD. I only wonder if maybe since I no longer take the meds for that if it somehow manifests itself with this picking thing? Anyway thanks for all the posts you guys have made. Many of them told my story. This is my first post but I hope to find someone who can relate to me so I don't feel so alone & ashamed.
Lisa36
December 17, 2014

goodgirlbadgirl:
I felt so comforted when I read your post. I'm sure that sounds strange but I found comfort in the fact that there was someone out there that was going through the EXACT same thing that I am. I no longer feel crazy or alone.
Seriously, I am experiencing, word-for-word, everything you listed. I also feel like there are a ton of little hairs that are lying just under the surface of my skin on my face & hairline that "MUST" come out! And I've also thought that as I pluck one hair, it almost triggers the nerves under my skin to push out another hair- I not only would see the new hair pop out but felt or thought I felt - i mean, i actually physically "felt" the hair come out from under the skin on my face!
It sounds crazy, I know but have you experienced that too? I can't believe I'm actually writing "my ugly secret" to someone. Wow - I feel even more ashamed & embarrassed now that I have written(typed) just one of my "picking" issues. It makes it more real. :(
This has been so difficult to deal with & exhausting concealing it from everyone around me. I think if I ever told a friend or family they would race me to the nearest Mental Hospital & have me committed! They'd think I was hallucinating - which I've often wondered if I'm really seeing these hairs everywhere & feeling them under my skin like little threads??
I'm sorry if I'm rambling on, But your post really resonated with me. I would like to chat with you more on this. I hope your still visiting this forum b/c I feel like you'd understand.
I hope to hear back from you soon.
Oh, I'm just curious - Have you ever been diagnosed with ADHD or ADD? And do you take prescription meds for it? I have ADHD & I'm wondering if there could be a link??

*** Thank you again for having the courage to share your story; through by reading, I no longer find myself so alone. *****

Lisa36
December 17, 2014

goodgirlbadgirl:
I felt so comforted when I read your post. I'm sure that sounds strange but I found comfort in the fact that there was someone out there that was going through the EXACT same thing that I am. I no longer feel crazy or alone.
Seriously, I am experiencing, word-for-word, everything you listed. I also feel like there are a ton of little hairs that are lying just under the surface of my skin on my face & hairline that "MUST" come out! And I've also thought that as I pluck one hair, it almost triggers the nerves under my skin to push out another hair- I not only would see the new hair pop out but felt or thought I felt - i mean, i actually physically "felt" the hair come out from under the skin on my face!
It sounds crazy, I know but have you experienced that too? I can't believe I'm actually writing "my ugly secret" to someone. Wow - I feel even more ashamed & embarrassed now that I have written(typed) just one of my "picking" issues. It makes it more real. :(
This has been so difficult to deal with & exhausting concealing it from everyone around me. I think if I ever told a friend or family they would race me to the nearest Mental Hospital & have me committed! They'd think I was hallucinating - which I've often wondered if I'm really seeing these hairs everywhere & feeling them under my skin like little threads??
I'm sorry if I'm rambling on, But your post really resonated with me. I would like to chat with you more on this. I hope your still visiting this forum b/c I feel like you'd understand.
I hope to hear back from you soon.
Oh, I'm just curious - Have you ever been diagnosed with ADHD or ADD? And do you take prescription meds for it? I have ADHD & I'm wondering if there could be a link??

*** Thank you again for having the courage to share your story; through by reading, I no longer find myself so alone. *****

tracemo
November 13, 2014

For KP - Amlactin lotion works well and it works fast. In a couple of days. Also great for those rough elbows. It's at any drugstore for $14 and can also be used on your face. You can use it daily. If your skin feels sensitive, lay off it for a day or two. The bumps should diminish in a few days. After the bumps are gone, you can cut back application to 1x (maybe 2x) per week. KP could be from a vitamin deficiency…eat those veggies - 4 cups a day of all types and take a multi-vitamin.

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