“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.
Consuming Too Much Dairy
Individuals with dairy allergies may find that their allergy manifests itself on their skin. If you digest lactose (milk sugar) poorly, your body will form itchy bumps after absorbing some of the sugar molecules. These bumps can also appear on areas like your arms or thighs where chicken skin tends to pop up. If you suspect a dairy allergy is causing your keratosis pilaris, stop eating products made from cow’s milk for about two weeks and see if there’s any improvement in your condition. Even though there are many causes of chicken skin, most people who suffer from the condition don’t realize it has something to do with diet. For best results, be sure to avoid foods that trigger flare-ups and eat a nutritious diet that contains EFAs.
Utilizing Perfumed Soaps And Lotions
If you tend to get very itchy or red bumps on your skin after taking a shower, it might be due to the ingredients in the soap and lotion you use. Rubbing these products on your skin can make keratosis pilaris more inflamed and even cause tiny blisters. To prevent this from happening, only use hypoallergenic soaps and lotions that contain natural oils and don’t irritate your skin. If you do happen to use perfumed products, wash the area thoroughly before applying any lotions or oils which should help minimize future outbreaks of chicken skin bumps.
Wearing Tight Clothes
Tight clothes can make keratosis pilaris worse because they rub against your skin and aggravate it. If you have this condition, avoid wearing undergarments that are tight or made from spandex/lycra material until your keratosis pilaris clears up completely. Wear breathable cotton undergarments instead to prevent the skin on your thighs, arms, or buttocks from becoming inflamed. This can also help you determine if tight clothes are the cause of your outbreaks since your skin may feel better when you’re not wearing them.
Conclusion
Keratosis pilaris can be embarrassing because of its similarity to acne or chicken skin bumps. Most people don’t know that this condition is caused by a lack of fatty acids in the body, which makes it especially important for you to eat foods rich in these essential nutrients. Eating the right kinds of food and avoiding harsh scrubs and hot showers can help you treat keratosis pilaris outbreaks naturally without having to spend hundreds on prescription creams from your doctor.