Keratosis Pilaris or 'chicken skin' is common. What causes it?
Chicken skin, or keratosis pilaris (KP), is a common skin condition featuring small, rough bumps on ares like the upper arms, thighs, cheeks and buttocks. It occurs when keratin and dead skin cells build up within hair follicles, causing them to become clogged and irritated.
This can be dealt with topically, but what causes and eradicates?
From a functional health viewpoint, KP is a manifestation of deeper imbalances or deficiencies in the body like...
Nutritional Deficiencies - Vitamins A, D, Zinc and Essential fatty acids (Omegas 3, 6)
Gut health - Gut microbiome imbalances or dysbiosis, intestinal permeability and food sensitivities like gluten and dairy or oxalates eg when I gave up gluten, mine disappeared
Hormonal fluctuations - During puberty, pregnancy, menopause
Chronic Inflammation - Systemic inflammation due to poor diet, stress, lack of sleep, or environmental toxins
Genetics - We may have a predisposition, but genetics are not destiny
Immune dysregulation - An overactive or underactive immune response can contribute
A KP healing plan that addresses the root causes and promotes better gut and immune health might involve...
Eating an anti-inflammatory diet of whole and well-sourced, single ingredient foods
Hydrating with clean water
Identifying and eradicating other causes of inflammation like food sensitivities and allergies
Healing the gut
Topical practices like exfoliation, dry brushing and moisturising
Improving sleep quality and managing stress