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Given the fact that there are several forms of rashes and skin diseases, it often becomes hard to detect what one is suffering from. It is necessary to detect your problem from the root of it. If you are witnessing small red bumps and spots all over the skin, chances are you are suffering from Keratosis Pilaris. The home remedies for Keratosis Pilaris work like magic, which is why it is necessary to opt for them.
Don’t dismiss every skin problem thinking it as something minor.
In this article, we are going to be walking ourselves through how to get rid of Keratosis Pilaris using effective natural remedies.
What is Keratosis Pilaris?
Often also known as Chicken Skin, Keratosis Pilaris, is a condition which is characterized by the presence of rough patches, dryness and red bumps all over the skin. If you witness something similar to this on your skin and keep wondering what these bumps are – they are nothing but dead skin cells clogging the hair follicles.
Sometimes these bumps appear either red or even brownish in colour. Often witnessed around the arms, limbs and the buttock region, this skin disease is not contagious and the bumps are not necessarily painful or irritating.
Although there are no set treatment for this skin condition, but there are ways in which one can actually keep the symptoms to a minimum and keep the same in check.
Home Remedies for Keratosis Pilaris
Much like any other skin condition, even this one has its fair share of home remedies that one can administer to get rid of the condition and treat it accordingly.
Check out these Remedies for Keratosis Pilaris
1. Aloe Vera for Keratosis Pilaris
Aloe Vera is known for its soothing (R) and anti-inflammatory properties which are the two properties which play a beneficial role to treat Keratosis Pilaris. The anti-inflammatory properties (R) get rid of any signs of inflammation while the soothing property gets rid of any traces of redness and possible irritation.
What To Do?
- Cut an aloe vera leaf and scoop out the pulp
- Apply a thick layer of it on the affected part of the skin
- Leave it on for 10 minutes and then massage it for a minute or so
- Wipe off the excess gel off your skin with some wet cotton wipe
How Often?
- 2-3 times a day
2. Apple Cider Vinegar for Keratosis Pilaris
Because of its exfoliating as well as mild acidic properties, apple cider vinegar is actually best treatment for Keratosis Pilaris. It is the combination of these two which helps get rid of the dead skin cells along with the keratin that’s blocking and clogging and resulting in the formation of the red bumps.
The antimicrobial properties (R) help prevent the possible induction of infection on the skin.
What To Do?
- In a bowl, mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of honey and a bit of water to dilute the vinegar
- Using cotton, apply this on the affected area and leave it on for 10-15 minutes
- Wipe away the remnants with a wet cotton wipe
How Often?
- 1-2 times daily
3. Baking Soda for Keratosis Pilaris
Baking soda is believed to get rid of the dead skin cells on the skin and also get rid of the same that’s plugging the hair follicles and thus forming the red bumps all over the skin. Not just that, it also helps boost the overall blood circulation (R) and also gets rid of any kind of inflammation (R) on the skin.
What To Do?
- Mix 1-2 tablespoon of baking soda with some water to make a smooth paste
- Apply this on the affected area and massage it in circular motions for a few minutes
- Wash the rest off with some water
How Often?
- Once before showering
4. Coconut Oil for Keratosis Pilaris
Coconut Oil is considered the best Keratosis Pilaris treatment because of the kind of results that it produces. The presence of rich medium chain fatty acids in the coconut oil helps moisturize the skin from within and actually does help with softening up the dryness and harsh texture of the skin caused because of this condition.
Apart from that, it also imposes antibacterial (R) as well as anti-inflammatory properties (R) which aid in preventing infection and any kind of inflammation that’s caused.
What To Do?
- Warm the coconut oil in the microwave and add ½ teaspoon of sugar to it to make a scrub
- Mix everything and massage the affected area with this mixture to get rid of the dead skin cells
- Do this for 2-3 minutes
- Rinse off with some water after it’s done
How Often?
- 1-2 times daily
5. Epsom Salt for Keratosis Pilaris
Epsom Salt is quite beneficial in the treatment for Keratosis Pilaris, mainly because of the fact that it does not just have antimicrobial (R) and anti-inflammatory (R) properties but is a quite beneficial exfoliating agent which helps get rid of the dead skin cells causing the condition in the first place.
The magnesium sulfate in the salt is actually quite beneficial in getting rid of the excess plugged hair follicles and is actually a great cure for Keratosis Pilaris.
6. Essential Oils for Keratosis Pilaris
Essential Oils like tea tree oil, lemon oil and even lavender oil is considered as one of the best home remedies for Keratosis Pilaris. The combination of antibacterial (R), antioxidant (R), as well as skin healing properties (R) in these oils, contributes to treatment of the condition.
Because of how concentrated these oils often are, it is always best to thin them down with some form of carrier oil and use the same accordingly.
What To Do?
- To any carrier oil, add 2-3 drops of lemon oil and the same quantity of tea tree oil
- Using cotton, apply it over the affected area of the skin and leave it on
- Massage it with gentle fingers into the skin and let it naturally seep into the skin
How Often?
- 2-3 times every day
7. Argan Oil for Keratosis Pilaris
The Vitamin E content of the Argan Oil is the primary factor that helps heal the skin and gets rid of the excess roughness and dryness that is often the primary reason behind the condition. It is non-greasy which is an added bonus. It also has skin healing properties (R) which further help cure the condition of Keratosis Pilaris.
What To Do?
- Take a coin sized amount of argan oil and massage it into the skin
- Massage it into the skin and let it seep into the skin
How Often?
- 2-3 times daily
8. Oatmeal Bath for Keratosis Pilaris
Oatmeal has natural exfoliating and cleansing properties (R) which contribute in the cure for Keratosis Pilaris. Not just that, it also has beneficial soothing effects on the skin which helps get rid of any kind of itching. Not just that, it also helps by inflicting anti-inflammatory properties and gets rid of the irritation that accompanies the situation.
What To Do?
- Fill the bathtub with lukewarm water up to the brim
- Add 1-2 cups of oatmeal into it and soak yourself in it for 15 minutes
- Take a shower following that and then apply some moisturizer if required
How Often?
- 2-3 times a week
9. Glycolic Acid for Keratosis Pilaris
Glycolic is one of the best, if not the best treatment for Keratosis Pilaris. Experts state that the alpha hydroxyl acid present in the glycolic acid is actually quite beneficial in getting rid of the dead and dry skin and exfoliates the area for healthier skin and to get rid of the condition effectively.
What To Do?
- Get the 10% glycolic acid lotion from the market
- Apply some on the affected part of the skin and gently massage it into the skin
- Leave it on
How Often?
- 1-2 times every day
10. Body Scrub for Keratosis Pilaris
As mentioned before, Keratosis Pilaris doesn’t have any form of permanent remedy to cure it completely. It can either be subdued or kept under control with remedies and treatment. As the condition is caused because of the accumulation of dead skin cells along with plugged hair follicles, the best treatment for Keratosis Pilaris is exfoliation (R) to get rid of the dead skin cells.
Body scrubs are a great method to do so, especially to get rid of the dead skin cells that often aggravate the condition.
What To Do?
- Wet your body while showering
- Rub in somebody scrub on the affected part of the skin
- Make sure to not go ham on the area and be gentle because otherwise, it can cause lesions
How Often?
- 2-3 times a week during showering
11. Cod Liver Oil for Keratosis Pilaris
Yet another one of the effective home remedies for Keratosis Pilaris is with the usage of cod liver oil. The lack or deficiency of Vitamin A in one’s diet is often correlated with the excess secretion of Keratin in the body which is why it is best to supplement your diet with some cod liver oil (R) for effective results.
Make sure that you get the reliable and good sources of cod liver oil for consumption because otherwise, the results can be pretty drastic.
What To Do?
- Purchase the best quality cod liver oil from the medical store or even online
- Consume 1 capsule every single day
How Often?
- Once daily
12. Witch Hazel for Keratosis Pilaris
Witch hazel, especially the leaves have very beneficial impacts in getting rid of problems associated with the skin. Not just that, it is also believed that this helps heal the dry skin and the plugged hair that could be the result of hair removal.
Not just that, it is also considered as an amazing cure for Keratosis Pilaris because of its antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory (R) properties.
What To Do?
- Wash a few witch hazel leaves in the mortar and pestle with some water to make a smooth paste
- Apply the paste on the affected area of the skin
- Let it fry for 10-15 minutes
- Rinse off with some water
How Often?
- Once daily
13. Lactic Acid for Keratosis Pilaris
Much like glycolic acid, even lactic acid is an alpha hydroxyl acid (R) which helps get rid of the dry and flaky skin and also contributes to the process of exfoliation to get rid of the dead skin cells that cause the redness and irritation. Lotions with 10% lactic acid (R) are quite often very beneficial in hydration of the skin as well.
What To Do?
- Apply a lotion that consists of 10% lactic acid in it
How Often?
- Multiple times throughout the day
14. Exfoliation for Keratosis Pilaris
As mentioned in almost all of the remedies above, exfoliation is the primal factor that plays the most crucial role to get rid of Keratosis Pilaris. The condition is caused because of the accumulation of dead skin cells which can only be effectively treated with the method of exfoliation.
Once you get rid of the superficial layer of dead skin cells, then it becomes a lot easier to then prevent it from recurring if you maintain the skin health accordingly and ensure to keep the skin healthy and fresh.
What To Do?
- Make a scrub by mixing 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of coarse sugar
- Mix everything well and ensure that the sugar doesn’t dissolve completely
- Rub this over the skin and gently scrub the area using the coarseness of the sugar
- Do this for a few minutes and then rinse the remnant under the water
How Often?
- 3-4 times every week
15. Warm Bath for Keratosis Pilaris
Warm baths are yet another amazing treatment for Keratosis Pilaris. The water helps soften the rough and dry skin and makes it easier to exfoliate and get rid of. Make sure to add in some bubble or even some soothing body cleanser to take a step higher.
What To Do?
- Fill your bath tub with warm water and soak in it for 15-20 minutes
- Once done, using an exfoliator, scrub off the dead skin cells and add some moisturizer to the area
How Often?
- 3-4 times in a week
Diet for Keratosis Pilaris
Given the fact that skin diseases can easily be caused because of the irregularity in one’s diet which is why it is quite important to ensure that you align your diet accordingly. In this section, we are going to be discussing about the common and effective diet habits that one needs to adhere to treat Keratosis Pilaris.
What To Eat?
When it comes to what one should eat, it is quite important to have some standard foods in your diet if you have been diagnosed with the condition. Irrespective of what the conditions be, sticking to a list of standard foods can actually be very contributing in either preventing or keeping the condition in check.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is one of those compounds that not just impose effective antioxidant but anti-inflammatory properties too. It is important for skin repair as well as cell growth which is quite beneficial when it comes to the condition of Keratosis Pilaris.
Some of the food sources rich in Vitamin A include spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes etc.
Vitamin C
A diet rich in Vitamin C is not just beneficial for skin repair and rejuvenation but is also quite beneficial to fight off any remnants of excess free radicals in the body which often ends up being the reason behind dead skin cells in the body.
Some of the food sources rich in Vitamin C include lemons, oranges, berries etc.
Vitamin D
Yet one of the beneficial vitamins that is not paid much heed but is equally important Vitamin D which is quite important in fighting off skin diseases like eczema and other conditions like psoriasis. One of the best modes of gaining Vitamin D is via the exposure to sunlight but if you are sensitive to the same, there are food alternatives too.
Some of the food sources rich in Vitamin D include salmon, beef liver, cheese, fish etc.
Vitamin E
Last but not the least in the list of foods to eat for Keratosis Pilaris includes food rich in Vitamin E. Vitamin E is known profoundly for being an amazing compound for not just skin repair but skin development too which is very important when it comes to treating the condition of Keratosis Pilaris which is primarily caused because of dead skin cells.
Some of the food sources rich in Vitamin E include almonds, spinach, hazelnuts, etc.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The importance of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of any form of skin condition is not unknown. Because of its amazing soothing as well as repairing properties, it inflicts an amazing effect on treating the dryness and redness that is primarily witnessed in this condition.
Some of the food sources rich in Omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fishes, nuts etc.
What Not to Eat?
Now that we have more or less discussed about the common grounds of food items for Keratosis Pilaris that one needs to follow, it is now time to focus on the foods that can actually have adverse impacts on the skin and worsen the condition even further.
Sugar
While the effect of sugar on the condition of Keratosis Pilaris is not evidently proven, there have been anecdote impacts when one eliminated the sugar from their diet. This can actually be a significant proof for the fact that sugar actually does impact one’s condition of the Keratosis Pilaris. It is believed that sugar or any other form of complex carbohydrate often does end up causing acne which is the primary reason why one should strictly avoid its consumption when diagnosed with this skin condition.
Dairy
Yet another common food to avoid for Keratosis Pilaris is dairy. Dairy is often linked with indigestion, intolerance and allergies which can end up being very common reasons behind the problem. Not just that, dairy and dairy products are high in lectin which ends up contributing to a leaky gut syndrome that is often a common reason that make Keratosis Pilaris even worse. Start with cutting down the consumption for a few months and see if you notice any kind of changes in the symptoms.
Grains
Celiac disease is often times a major contributing factor to the condition of Keratosis Pilaris. Gluten can be a trigger for a number of skin disorders, this specific one being one of the few. If you have been consistently suffering from the condition of Keratosis Pilaris, it is always advised to keep the problem in check and ensure not to go overboard with the consumption and is advised to cut it off for good.
Others
Apart from these primary categories of food, there are a few other accessory food items which can often wreak havoc in relation to conditions like that of Keratosis Pilaris. Some other foods that are best to avoid include high-fructose diet or a diet rich in trans fats. Also, avoid artificial food colouring and flavouring because that ends up triggering the Keratosis Pilaris causes.
What Causes Keratosis Pilaris?
Because of the similarity of the signs and symptoms of Keratosis Pilaris with some of the common variants of skin disease, it is not very uncommon to confuse this condition with other skin problems. That being said, some of the common Keratosis Pilaris causes include:
Keratosis Pilaris is majorly common in people suffering from:
- Dry skin
- Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis
- Ichthyosis
- Melanoma
- Obesity
- Women are more prone to develop this condition
- Celtic ancestry
- Celiac disease
- Hay fever
Symptoms of Keratosis Pilaris
When it comes to the symptoms, they are pretty common and to the point to what you will commonly hear and relate to. That being said, some of the common symptoms of Keratosis Pilaris include:
Slight redness and pinkish tinge to the skin around the affected area
- Itchiness and irritation around the skin
- Predominantly dry skin
- Flaky and coarseness around the affected area of the skin
Food for Thought With Some FAQs
1. How Long Does Keratosis Pilaris Last?
A: When it comes to talking about the duration of how long this condition lasts, it can be acute as well as chronic. It depends on the kind of lifestyle one leads and the kind of diet that one adheres to. If you lead a healthy lifestyle and follow a healthy diet, there are chances that you won’t end up triggering the causes of the skin condition and can prevent it effectively.
The home remedies for Keratosis Pilaris are actually effective and can help you get rid of the condition for good. If you have been here suffering from this problem since quite long, it is time to make changes to the overall diet and health because that is what ends up affecting the condition. So, make sure to be wise while adhering to any of the remedies and think before you choose the mode of treatment.
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