If you have red, tiny bumps or rough patches on your skin, and it is on the back of the upper arms, buttocks, and or thighs, you may have something called Keratosis Pilaris (KP) also known as chicken skin.
Before you panic, KP is a common skin condition that happens to many people at some stage in life.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information, a branch of the National Institutes of Health which is approved and funded by the government of the United States, said “Keratosis pilaris is a common dermatologic condition. The most common patient population is adolescents with 50 to 80 percent affected.
The disorder is also frequently seen in adults, with 40 percent of the adult population affected. However, because keratosis pilaris is an underreported condition, the prevalence of the condition may be higher”.
If you have or know someone who has KP and are seeking remedies to treat the condition, you are at the right place.
Stephanie Gerber, the founder of Hello Glow shared 10 natural remedies that could help with Keratosis Pilaris.
She said apple cider vinegar (with a 1:1 ratio of water and apple cider vinegar), coconut oil (with a ratio of white granulated sugar or brown sugar and coconut oil), baking soda (2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda and water to form a paste), olive oil (to apply directly or to apply with sugar to exfoliate) and sour cream (alone or with a little brown sugar) to apply on affected areas.
Stephanie also said vitamin A scrubs with strawberries, mangoes and papayas, as well as ingredients from the fridge that contain lactic acid like yogurt or buttermilk are great ways to treat affected areas.
She mentioned a few consumable treats that could fill your tummy and help your skin (and maybe hair and nails too!). Omega-3 fatty acids from Salmon, Tuna, Sardines or organic chia seeds, hemp seeds and flax seeds for vegetarians nourishes and protects the skin.
Any vegetables that are orange or yellow like carrots, sweet potatoes and fruits like strawberries, papayas and mangoes would be a healthy add to your diet which would help provide vitamin A to your body. Alternatively, you can make smoothies to hydrate you while keeping your calories in check.
“When you run your heater to beat the winter cold, the low humidity that results is a known culprit for dry skin in general, but it’s especially problematic for those suffering from KP. I highly recommend investing in a good humidifier to treat and soothe your dry skin. If you live in an area with hard water, purchasing a home water softener can do wonders for your skin and hair every time you wash or bathe” said Stephanie.
Patrick Carolan, 29, lives with eczema while working as a care assistant, “I find the air-conditioning while working in hospitals dries out my skin”.
Whenever his skin is highly agitated, he said “one of my hobbies is sea swimming, as the cold shock and salt water seems to calm my body for the day which helps immensely with ‘angry skin’”.
He swapped steroid ointments with over the counter moisturisers and cooling balms because, according to him they are of a “higher standard.”
You may wonder why eczema is important in a KP article. That’s because KP is most commonly seen in families with a history of eczema, allergies and asthma. Knowing the source of KP could help in figuring the best way to treat the skin. What helps eczema could help KP.
Stay safe and stay healthy.