If you're prone to keratosis pilaris, certain circumstances can make it worse. “The bumps often appear in cold weather, when skin is especially dry,” said Dr. McNamara. “Lack of hydration can exacerbate keratosis pilaris, and some people find that stress can also cause it to flare up.”
Keratosis pilaris bumps happen when keratin clogs (blocks) your pores instead of flaking off. Your pores are openings in your skin where hairs come through your skin (hair follicles). Healthcare providers don't know why keratosis pilaris affects some people and not others.
We don't know exactly why these growths occur, but we can look at the circumstances that often go along with it. The first is age: seborrheic keratoses are especially common in adults over 50, and they tend to multiply as people get older. Some studies suggest that sun exposure may increase their occurrence.
Keratosis Pilaris Causes
It's usually worse in the winter months when there's less moisture in the air and then may clear up in the summer. It often affects people with certain skin conditions, including eczema (also called atopic dermatitis). Some evidence suggests it's linked to a vitamin A deficiency.
Although diet is not a cause of keratosis pilaris, intake of foods contributing to inflammation, may lead to or worsen the symptoms, so it is advisable to avoid foods causing inflammation. Those with keratosis pilaris should avoid the consumption of dairy products, soy, peanuts, trans fats, sugar and processed foods.
If you're prone to keratosis pilaris, certain circumstances can make it worse. “The bumps often appear in cold weather, when skin is especially dry,” said Dr. McNamara. “Lack of hydration can exacerbate keratosis pilaris, and some people find that stress can also cause it to flare up.”
The exact cause of keratosis pilaris is not known, but heredity often plays a role. Also, people with atopic dermatitis and seasonal allergies are more likely to have keratosis pilaris. However, keratosis pilaris does not seem to be a hypersensitivity or immune system disorder.
With keratosis pilaris, there is a build-up of keratin in the skin. This is a hard protein that is perfectly normal within the skin. But too much can block the hair follicles, leading to keratosis pilaris. We do know that it tends to be worse when the weather is drier and there is less humidity.
Hormones, however, may cause another flare-up around puberty. When keratosis pilaris develops in the teenage years, it often clears by one's mid-20s. Keratosis pilaris can also continue into one's adult years. Women are a bit more likely to have keratosis pilaris.
Because you cannot cure keratosis pilaris, you'll need to follow a maintenance plan. This often involves treating your skin a few times a week. You'll also need to take some precautions to prevent flare-ups.
They are common, especially as a person ages, and don't cause any harm. Skin tags tend to develop when the skin rubs together, such as armpits, anus, thighs, eyelids and neck, and are more common in people living with overweight and obesity who have folds of skin.
Doctors aren't sure what causes seborrheic keratosis, but there is very likely a genetic component—certain genetic mutations have been linked to the condition. Sun exposure and changes in estrogen levels have also been linked to seborrheic keratosis.
Stress rashes often appear as raised red bumps called hives. They can affect any part of the body, but often a stress rash is on the face, neck, chest or arms. Hives may range from tiny dots to large welts and may form in clusters. They may be itchy or cause a burning or tingling sensation.
The growths should not be scratched off. This does not remove the growths and can lead to bleeding and possible secondary infection.
There is no universal diet for keratosis pilaris. However, some anecdotal evidence supports eliminating gluten and dairy to improve the condition, but no research has established a link between diet and keratosis pilaris.
Keratosis pilaris isn't preventable, but there are steps you can take at home to manage it. Take quick showers. Try to limit them to 5 to 10 minutes and use lukewarm water, not hot. Long, hot showers dry out the skin and can cause keratosis pilaris to flare.
Causes of keratosis pilaris
Keratosis pilaris happens when your hair follicles become blocked with a build-up of keratin, a substance found in skin, hair and nails. Nobody knows exactly why keratin builds up, but the condition is thought to run in families. So if your parents have it, you may get it too.
Keratosis Pilaris And Gluten
There are no studies indicating a direct correlation between gluten and keratosis pilaris ( chicken skin).
Psoriasis can start as small red bumps, too. But unlike psoriasis, keratosis pilaris isn't considered a disease. It's more of an annoyance. It's not clear why some people get this keratin buildup, but it's a condition that's tied to your genes.
Pemphigus is a rare group of autoimmune diseases. It causes blisters on the skin and mucous membranes in the body. It can affect the mouth, nose, throat, eyes, and genitals. Pemphigus vulgaris is the most common type of pemphigus.
Stress can also affect the skin barrier function, impair wound healing, and promote the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby exacerbating existing skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, and urticaria.
The keratin blocks the opening of hair follicles, causing patches of rough, bumpy skin. It's not clear why keratin builds up in people with keratosis pilaris. It might happen along with a genetic disease or skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis. Dry skin tends to make keratosis pilaris worse.
Is keratosis pilaris caused by a vitamin deficiency? No, KP isn't caused by a vitamin deficiency, so taking extra vitamins won't help. Keep in mind that taking too many vitamins or supplements can be harmful, so it's a good idea to talk to your healthcare professional before starting any.