“Chicken skin” is the colloquial term for keratosis pilaris. It appears as small red or light-brown bumps found on people’s upper arms, thighs, and sometimes their cheeks. Chicken skin is usually painless, but it can make people feel self-conscious about their looks. There are many causes of chicken skin, some of which may be surprising to you. This article will help you identify the common and less-common causes of chicken skin.
Not Eating Adequate Amounts Of Fatty Acids
Your skin and your body’s cells need essential fatty acids (EFAs) to function correctly; these include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. EFAs come from foods such as meat, seafood, nuts, and some vegetables. Not getting enough EFA will cause the protective layer of your skin (your lipid barrier) to become damaged. This makes it easier for irritants like bacteria, pollen, or even clothing fibers to get in through your skin and cause an outbreak of keratosis pilaris. If you want healthy skin with minimal outbreaks of chicken skin bumps, be sure to eat a diet rich in EFAs.
Utilizing Body Scrubs That Are Harsh
Keratosis pilaris is caused by skin cells that clog up your hair follicles. This leads to the formation of bumps that look like acne or chicken skin bumps. Your body needs some types of oils to keep your lipid barrier functioning properly, which will inhibit the accumulation of dead skin cells on your pores. If you are trying to get rid of keratosis pilaris bumps, avoid using harsh scrubs or even loofahs because these can damage your lipid barrier and make it easier for more dead skin cells, sebum (a type of oil), and bacteria to build up in your pores. These irritants can cause more outbreaks of pimple-like bumps on areas where chicken skin tends to pop up.
Taking Hot Showers
Hot showers and baths can lead to more outbreaks of keratosis pilaris. Your skin needs your sebaceous glands to produce oils that keep it moist and healthy. Taking hot showers removes oil from your skin that would otherwise protect it, which means you’re more susceptible to irritations that might cause pimple-like bumps. Make sure you shower in lukewarm water at the most and only take a bath if your keratosis pilaris is severe; if you soak for too long, some of the oil will be removed from your body as well.