Are you annoyed by patches of skin on your arms or legs that feel rough and bumpy? Do you have small white or reddish blisters on your skin that are stubborn and won't go away? Then it could be a condition called keratosis pilaris, also known as "sandpaper skin".
In this article we explain the causes and symptoms of sandpaper skin and what a possible treatment might look like.
Contents:
1. What exactly is keratosis pilaris?
2. What are the causes of keratosis pilaris?
4. What can you do about sandpaper skin? – 4 tips for you
5. Why does the sun help with sandpaper skin?
What exactly is keratosis pilaris?
Keratosis pilaris is a common, harmless skin disease that can manifest itself in rough patches and tiny white or reddish changes in the skin, known as papules. Bacteria can penetrate the inflamed skin barrier more easily and cause further skin irritation, usually in the form of tiny pimples.
What are the causes of keratosis pilaris?
The cause of sandpaper skin is an excess of keratin, the so-called skin protein. The hair root can become clogged by the excess creatine and so-called hyperkeratosis, i.e. increased keratinization of the skin cells, can form. The result: small white, sebum-filled or reddish blisters on the skin.
The first symptoms can appear in childhood and become more severe as people grow up, meaning that keratosis pilaris mainly affects teenagers (50-80%). Girls are more likely to suffer from the condition known as sandpaper skin.
Good to know: There is an increased incidence in people who suffer from neurodermatitis/atopic dermatitis. However, like neurodermatitis, the disease can improve on its own over the course of life.
What symptoms occur?
Typical signs of so-called sandpaper skin can be hardened skin changes (papules). Itching occurs only rarely and usually in combination with dry skin.
The following areas can be affected by sandpaper skin:- often upper arms, especially the extensor sides
- Outside of the thighs
- Butt
- rarely face and neck area
In the face, this is a special form of keratosis pilaris. In rare cases, the disease can spread to the neighboring scalp, ears or forehead, which can lead to hair loss. However, the disease is usually limited to the extensor surfaces of the upper arms.
What can you do about sandpaper skin? – 4 tips for you
First of all, a keyword: continuous skin care rituals. What sounds simple is sometimes difficult to implement in reality. But only those who continuously do something against rough skin can achieve a real improvement in the skin's appearance. Or it will disappear on its own over time. :)
We have four tips for you that can improve your skin:
Tip #1: Don’t use hot water to wash!
Hot water can dry out your skin and make sandpaper skin worse. It is therefore better to use lukewarm water. We recommend our med wash gel to go with this. The mild, fragrance-free wash gel has a slight anti-inflammatory effect, is suitable for sensitive skin and can moisturize redness and irritation of the skin.
Tip No. 2: Exfoliate your skin!
A gentle peeling can remove the clogged pores of the rough skin and reduce the calluses. We recommend our mild shower peeling with sea salt, which also provides moisture. Alternatively, you can use chemical peelings with salicylic acid. These have a stronger effect on the calluses, but often dry out the skin even more. It helps to pay attention to the good formulation of the peelings!
Tip No. 3: Apply cream!
It is best to apply a rich, moisturizing cream twice a day to stabilize your skin barrier. We recommend our med basic cream , which is suitable for particularly sensitive skin and problem skin, such as sandpaper skin, and provides a lot of moisture. Creams with a higher percentage of urea can also help. As a natural cosmetics company, however, we do not offer urea products and rely on natural, plant-based alternatives: evening primrose oil and shea butter.
Tip #4: Avoid scratching!
Scratching and squeezing the small papules can cause inflammation and leave scars. It's best to stick to the three tips above and otherwise leave your skin alone. :)
Why does the sun help with rough skin?
In addition to the correct and continuous care, rough skin can also improve in the summer through exposure to the sun. This is when the body produces more skin-strengthening vitamin D. The increased humidity during the warm summer months also promotes an improvement in the skin's appearance. Actually a good thing - if it weren't for the negative effects of UV radiation. So please don't forget to protect yourself from the sun's UV rays. Our Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 50 will help you with this for your face and our Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 30 or the SPF 30 Family Sunscreen for your body.
OUR EXPERT
Dr. med Michaela Hagemann I boep founder, doctor & mother of three
