Brent from the Netherlands asked me to help him out with a school project, and ended up sharing his own skin condition story too.
My name is Brent Decremer and I’m 17 years old. I’m in my last year of high school (fine arts). During the year we have an assignment called GIP. My subject for the GIP is skin structures and skin diseases. For art history we need to write a thesis about one of our inspiring artists and you are one of my inspiring artists. The reason that I emailed you is because I want to ask information about your art and your story about dealing with dermatographia. I also wanted to say that I really admire you. I think you are a noble and inspiring person. You don’t make your dermatographia your voice but the voice of so many people.
Thanks Brent! That is such a nice thing to say!
Turns out, Brent has Keratosis Pilaris, which is a pretty common condition, also known as chicken skin. I asked him to share some information about the condition and his experience with it.
Keratosis Pilaris is a condition where the hair (on your arm and legs etc.) can’t come easily through the stratum corneum (hoornlaag in Dutch) so they grow in and form little red bumps. A person with the condition, his body makes a lot of keratin. Because of the high dose of keratin, the hair is locked up in the follicle (= a bump). The condition isn’t harmful for the health, so it is also called a cosmetic condition. Mostly the condition is found on the upper arms and upper legs but it can also be on the back, butt, etc. Approximately 40 – 50% of the world-population has it. Urea, vitamin A, and glycol acid helps.
Well I first noticed it when I was 12-13 years old. I had it only on the back of my shoulders. And at first I actually didn’t care about it, I thought it would go away by itself. So my mother went with me to the dermatologist, she said it was keratosis pilaris and there was nothing I could do. A few years later it extended to the rest of my shoulders and arms, now we went to my doctor. The doctor gave me a salve. Last summer I was with my family on vacation in Granada and my mother noticed it extended again, now my whole back and shoulders and upper arms were affected. So we went to another dermatologist she gave me some special gel and salve. I also need to wear ‘clothes that breathe’ and when I sweat heavy (like in summer) I need to shower as soon as possible. It helped and it looks a lot better. My skin doesn’t feel really rough any more.
I still hate the way it looks and I actually really wish I didn’t have it. When I was younger I really liked to swim and go to the beach. Now since it got worse, I never go swimming anymore, and in school when we have swim class, I always try to find an excuse so I don’t need to participate with the class. It made me really insecure and I’m ashamed of it, however so many people have it. A positive thing about the condition is that it actually made me and my mother closer. She has it also but less than me. So sometimes we try to find remedies together or talk about it.
Thanks for sharing, Brent! I’m glad to hear something good came out of it, that it brought you and your mother closer, and you guys can share tips for taking care of your skin.
Anyone else have Keratosis Pilaris? I had never heard of it until Brent came along, so it’s great that we met!
Images courtesy of Brent Decremer
13 Comments
Lauren
on May 19, 2014 at 7:49 pmI actually found your blog and hoped someone could relate with me about my severe case of KP. Needless to say, I feel for this guy because it makes me really self conscious as well. I have it the worst on my legs and the backs of my arms. It’s so bad that when I shave my legs they often bleed a lot, making people think that I have really bad razor burn. It also just looks like I have goosebumps, but inflamed. I never wear shorts or dresses, and when I do I’m really uncomfortable. Seeing that I now live in Texas, it’s been really tough. The good thing is it’s treatable. There is an over the counter lotion called Amlactin that liquifies the keratin buildup and the bumps go away over about 3-4 days of consecutive use. Only downfall, it’s really sticky and you can’t expose your skin to the sun when using it. Also, you stop using it, it comes back of course. The only other thing that helps is by tanning, it helps the redness go down. I typically skip all this and wear leggings nearly every day and exfoliate often. I’ve learned to cope and just worry about more pressing issues 🙂 I’m happy to hear Brent’s story and I hope he can find peace in what we both share!
Ariana Page Russell
on May 20, 2014 at 10:43 pmThanks for writing Lauren! Just curious, have you ever tried the elimination diet? Someone once told me that KP could be caused by a food allergy. Also, I wonder if coconut oil would help soothe your skin like it does mine?
I’ll make sure Brent sees your comment!
Lauren
on May 21, 2014 at 9:50 amI have never heard of the elimination diet, I will have to try that! I would try Coconut oil, but am severely allergic 🙁 Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ariana Page Russell
on May 21, 2014 at 9:36 pmYou’re welcome! Let me know how it goes. Almond oil is also really great for skin, hopefully you’re not allergic to that too! ;’)
Keith Frame
on July 1, 2014 at 1:00 amKeratosis pilaris is not a dangerous or malignant medical condition, therefore, treatment is not necessary, but many seek it due to cosmetic reasons. Creams and lotions are the most common treatments, although many prefer to take pills that promote healthy skin as well, such as biotin. The creams and lotions can have a variety of ingredients, including general acne prevention ingredients such as salicylic acid as well as moisturizers such as Vitamin D and E. Steroid creams can be used to reduce redness. Remedies such as using coconut oils to treat keratosis pilaris is one of the options available for ones that looks for a cheaper way to get rid the skin condition.
Bumps are likely to return with this skin condition, until typically after 30 or when it decides, on its own, to clear up. Long baths and using a washcloth, brush or pumice stone can help open up bumps. Laser therapy is also one solution that is rather drastic, but helpful.
Ariana Page Russell
on July 2, 2014 at 3:44 pmHi Keith, thanks for all the information!
catherine zambrano
on October 25, 2014 at 12:21 amThanks for the information sir keith..
Rob
on December 9, 2014 at 12:01 pmVery useful info. I have KP too, it is a little bit hard to deal with it, but certainly it made us conscious about skin care.
Ariana Page Russell
on December 9, 2014 at 9:37 pmYes it does! Just like dermatographia has made me more conscious of my skin and skin care. Thanks for the note!
Tela
on March 5, 2015 at 1:10 amHi, I have it too ( about 10 years, since my middle school years).
Im trying to use coconut oil and omega 3
Ariana Page Russell
on March 16, 2015 at 5:32 pmHi Tela! How’s the coconut oil and omega 3 working?
Richie
on April 23, 2016 at 5:06 amI actually have both KP and dermatographia. I was never ashamed of my dermatographia, although I often scratch my face or chest and people would always ask me what happened. I thought it was pretty cool and drew on myself all the time. But when I found out that there are many people really ashamed of it, I was glad that there was at least one person who made it a beautiful thing. As an artist myself, I find your work interesting as well as meaningful.
But KP on the other hand, is something I DO feel shame about. I have many friends with KP who still flaunt their legs anyway, but I have a hard time with it myself. Knowing, however, that dermatographia is seen by some to be shameful, and yet I myself deal with it so well — no, scratch that (pun intended), I actually love it a lot, I think this will help me be happy with my KP. So, thank you.
And just in time for summer 😉
Ariana
on May 13, 2016 at 6:23 pmWow so cool! Thanks Richie! I hope you find a way to make the best of your KP this summer :+)