Are you bothered by rough, uneven patches of skin on your arms or legs? Small white or reddish bumps on your skin that persist stubbornly and won't go away? Then it could be a condition called Keratosis Pilaris, also known as "chicken skin" or "strawberry skin".
In this article, we explain the causes and symptoms of Keratosis Pilaris and what possible treatment options might look like.
Contents:
1. What exactly is Keratosis Pilaris?
2. What are the causes of Keratosis Pilaris?
4. What can be done about Keratosis Pilaris? – 4 Tips for You
5. Why does the sun help with Keratosis Pilaris?
What exactly is Keratosis Pilaris?
Keratosis pilaris is a common, harmless skin condition that can manifest as rough patches and tiny white or reddish skin changes, known as papules. Due to the inflamed skin barrier, bacteria can easily penetrate and cause further skin irritations, usually in the form of tiny pimples.
What are the causes of Keratosis Pilaris?
The cause of Keratosis Pilaris is an excess of keratin, also known as skin protein. The hair follicle can become clogged by this excess keratin, leading to the formation of hyperkeratosis, which is an increased keratinization of skin cells. The result: small white, sebum-filled or reddish bumps on the skin.
First symptoms can appear as early as childhood and intensify during adolescence, so that mainly teenagers are affected by keratosis pilaris (50-80%). Girls are more frequently affected by this condition.
Good to know: There is a higher incidence in people suffering from neurodermatitis/atopic dermatitis. Like neurodermatitis, the disease can improve on its own over the course of a lifetime.
What symptoms occur?
Typical signs of so-called chicken skin can be hardened skin changes (papules). Itching occurs rarely and usually in combination with dry skin.
The following areas can be affected by keratosis pilaris:
- frequently upper arms, especially the extensor sides
- outer thighs
- buttocks
- rarely face and neck area
In the face, it is referred to as a special form of Keratosis Pilaris. In rare cases, the disease can spread to the adjacent scalp, ears, or forehead, which can lead to hair loss. However, the condition is usually limited to the extensor sides of the upper arms.
What can be done about Keratosis Pilaris? – 4 Tips for You
First, a keyword: continuous skincare routines. What sounds simple is sometimes difficult to implement in reality. But only those who continuously do something about Keratosis Pilaris can achieve a real improvement in their skin's appearance. Or it might go away on its own over time. :)
We have four tips for you that can improve your skin's appearance:
Tip No. 1: Do not use hot water for washing!
Hot water can dry out your skin and thus worsen Keratosis Pilaris. Therefore, use lukewarm water instead. We recommend our med Washing Gel. This mild, fragrance-free washing gel has a slight anti-inflammatory effect, is suitable for sensitive skin, and can provide moisture for redness and skin irritations.
Tip No. 2: Exfoliate your skin!
A gentle exfoliation can remove clogged pores of Keratosis Pilaris and reduce keratinization. We recommend our mild Shower Scrub with sea salt, which also provides moisture. Alternatively, you can use chemical peels with salicylic acid. These are more effective against keratinization but often dry out the skin further. Here it helps to look for good peel formulations!
Tip No. 3: Moisturize!
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 and problem skin, such as Keratosis Pilaris, and provides plenty 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 No. 4: Avoid scratching!
Scratching and squeezing the small papules can lead to inflammation and leave scars. It is best to consistently follow the above 3 tips and otherwise leave your skin alone. :)
Why does the sun help with Keratosis Pilaris?
In addition to proper and continuous care, Keratosis Pilaris can also improve in summer due to sun exposure. 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. This is actually a good thing - if it weren't for the negative effects of UV radiation. Therefore, please do not forget to protect yourself from the sun's UV rays. Our Sun Cream Sensitive SPF 50 helps you with this for your face and our Sun Cream Sensitive SPF 30 or the Sun Cream Family SPF 30 for your body.
O U R E X P E R T
Dr. med Michaela Hagemann I boep-Founder, Doctor & Mother of 3
