Do you see patches on your skin that look like little acne bumps or the famous goose bumps? If so, you should know about keratosis pilaris or goose bumps and how to get rid of it.
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What is keratosis pilaris or goose bumps?
As you can see now, keratosis pilaris or goose bumps is a skin disease that leaves rough acne-like patches. These skin patches can generally be seen on the arms, thighs, cheeks, and buttocks. Certain rare variants of keratosis pilaris can also be seen on the eyebrows, face, and scalp, or throughout the body.
So, what do they look like other than little bumps and how do they feel? They are usually white in color, but can sometimes be red as well. While you don’t feel any discomfort, such as itching or pain, you may not like the look of these bumps on your skin that are a bit difficult to treat. In certain cases, however, keratosis pilaris can swell and leave scars, especially on the face. They may be worse in winter, when there is less humidity and the skin is prone to being drier. Most often, goose bumps go away on its own or with the help of certain prescription drugs and home remedies.
What Causes Goosebumps?
There is a hard protein called keratin in our skin that protects the skin from external substances and infections. When this keratin accumulates in an unusual way, it results in keratosis pilaris. The forms of accumulation of keratin are in the form of scaly areas on the skin that block the openings of the hair follicle. These scales on the skin look like rough uneven patches. This condition could be related to certain genetic disorders or other skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, but above all, it is related to food intolerances.
The difference between food intolerance and allergy makes many differences. Goose bumps are not the product of allergies, it is the product of food intolerances. Among which are, intolerance to dairy products, soybeans, and especially gluten, which is a protein that is present in cereals such as wheat. By eliminating these products and others, these symptoms can disappear.
How to manage keratosis pilaris or goose bumps?
As we have already mentioned, this condition is mainly caused by food intolerances. It is commonly solved when, in turn, it is sought to correct the diet that is causing it. There are also certain measures or personal care to improve the condition of the skin while eliminating the root problem, which will take time.
- Use skin care products that don’t dry out the skin. For example, instead of soaps, use a cleaner that doesn’t contain soapy chemicals. Dry skin worsens the keratosis condition.
- Keep the skin hydrated. As dry skin worsens the keratosis condition, use a moisturizer and emollient to keep the skin hydrated.
- Gently exfoliate the skin. This helps in the removal of keratin buildup. However, don’t make it too harsh. Do this carefully with the help of foam scrubs or pumice stone when taking the bath. When the skin is wet, it is easy to gently exfoliate.
- Avoid hot baths. Hot water makes your skin drier and therefore you may experience the worst form of keratosis after such a hot bath. If necessary, as in winter time, use warm water for the bath.
- Never spend too much time in the shower. The less you stay in the water, the better it is for the condition of the skin. Water always makes the skin drier.
- Use a humidifier at home to keep the air moist and prevent your skin from drying out.
What are the treatments for keratosis pilaris?
As keratosis pilaris has become too common, a variety of scrubs, creams, etc. can be found. claiming to treat keratosis pilaris. You can select some of them, albeit with caution due to the amount of chemicals they contain.
In fact, home remedies are better when it comes to dealing with keratosis pilaris. The natural ingredients are almost harmless, with no side effects (only when you don’t apply anything that doesn’t fit the skin).
Natural remedies to treat goose bumps keratosis pilaris
Here are some natural ways to treat goose bumps while working on the root problem.
Baking Soda Scrub for Goosebumps
As we have seen before, exfoliating the skin helps to correct the conditions left by keratosis. So why not use baking soda to exfoliate your skin and get rid of keratin buildup? It will remove all dead skin cells and remove clogged skin to help get rid of keratosis pilaris.
You need:
- 2 to 3 tsp. baking soda
- Enough water to make a paste
Do this:
- Add water to the baking soda for a paste of similar consistency.
- Apply this to your affected skin.
- Rub gently for a few minutes, 4-5 minutes, to be precise.
- Wash with water
- Repeat every day or 2-3 times a week, depending on the severity of your skin condition.
- Don’t forget to hydrate your skin after the baking soda scrub because this ingredient also tends to dry out the skin.
Coconut oil for keratosis pilaris
The coconut oil is one of the best remedies for keratosis pilaris. Lauric acid present in coconut oil helps break down accumulated keratin. Not only this, since coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, relief is found in redness so you get protection against any infection. Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizing agent too, and therefore keeps the skin hydrated.
You need:
- Coconut oil
- 2 to 3 tsp. of vinegar apple cider (optional)
- 1/2 cup water (only when using VSM)
Do this:
- Exfoliate the affected skin area using an exfoliating agent (you can use baking soda as mentioned in the previous remedy).
- After exfoliating the skin, pat it dry.
- Take some coconut oil and apply this to your affected skin area.
- Rub gently but thoroughly for a few minutes until absorbed into the skin.
- That’s all.
- You can apply coconut oil as many times as you want.
- If you want to make this remedy a little more effective, apple cider vinegar can be used as well.
- Take the VSM and dilute it with water.
- Wash the affected skin with this solution.
- You may also be interested in soaking a cotton ball in this solution and rubbing the skin with this cotton.
- Now apply the coconut oil and rub gently.
Coconut oil scrub with sugar for chelatosis
If applying a scrub first and then the coconut oil seems like too much work, you can reduce the steps by doing a scrub with the coconut oil and sugar. In this way, you will get all the benefits of coconut oil in the treatment of keratosis pilaris while rubbing dead skin cells.
You need:
- 1-part organic white granulated sugar
- 1-part organic brown sugar
- 2 parts extra virgin coconut oil
Do this:
- Mix all the ingredients well to get your scrub
- Apply this mixture on the affected area
- Rub gently on the area for about 2-5 minutes
- Wash with water
- If it feels too greasy and sticky, you can even use warm water to wash it off.
Aloe Vera to treat goose bumps
If you have keratosis pilaris and eczema, you may consider using aloe vera. It is seen that people with eczema are prone to other skin conditions such as goose bumps. This miraculous herb called aloe vera contains gel in its leaves that contain vitamins and minerals. These nutrients can effectively relieve eczema and psoriasis flare-ups. However, do not use aloe vera gels that are loaded with fragrances and colors. Just use pure aloe vera gel, if possible, and get it directly from the aloe leaf by scraping the inside of it.
You need:
Aloe Vera Gel
Do this:
- Wash the affected skin.
- If necessary, exfoliate the skin and wash and dry again.
- Take the aloe vera gel and apply it generously all over your skin.
- Let it sit there for about 5-10 minutes.
- Now gently rub the gel on your skin for a couple of minutes.
- Wipe off excess gel with a cotton ball or clean cloth.
- Don’t try to clean up all of the gel. Leave something to stay there on the skin.
- You can use aloe vera gel on the skin as many times as you want.
Yogurt for keratosis pilaris
The yogurt has two benefits when it comes to treatments for keratosis. It reduces inflammation and also helps break down keratin build-up thanks to the lactic acid present in plain yogurt. It is also a good moisturizing agent and therefore helps to remove excessive dryness from the skin.
You need:
Natural yogurt
Do this:
- Take plain yogurt (never use flavored or sweetened yogurt) and rub all the skin that is affected.
- Let it sit on the skin for about 10-15 minutes.
- Now, take a shower with cold or warm water (never with hot water).