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The chicken skin condition, known medically as Keratosis Pilaris, is a hereditary disorder that mostly affects women. It causes small, pimple-like eruptions to appear on the back of the neck, arms, back, buttocks or legs. Though these eruptions generally do not burn, itch or hurt, they may get inflamed and give your skin a bumpy look.
This happens when the skin fails to exfoliate itself naturally, that is, when the protein that constitutes skin cells (keratin) gets accumulated in the pores near hair follicles beneath the epidermis and cause small bumps to appear on the surface of the skin. The problem intensifies during harsh winters and in dry, cold climates, and may appear during pregnancy or after childbirth in many women. Since this is a chronic, genetic skin condition, laser treatment cannot be a permanent solution.
Though there is no cure for keratosis pilaris, there are a few natural remedies that you may follow at home to reduce the intensity of the symptoms. Mix a teaspoon of granular sugar with two tablespoons of sour cream and rub this mixture in gentle circular motions on the affected area. Take care not to apply too much pressure with your fingers, or it might increase the skin inflammation. Lactic acid, a natural compound present in milk and curd, is known to act as an exfoliating agent. Thus, you should apply some yogurt on the affected areas 15-20 minutes before taking a bath. This cleanses away the excess keratin deposit from the surface of the skin and makes your skin feel smoother. You should also always remember to be very gentle while washing your skin with soap or water. Vigorous rubbing may only irritate the hair follicles and the skin cells around them further and worsen the condition. Never use very hot water to bathe or shower for too long, as this tends to rob the skin of its natural moisture and renders it dry and rough. You should pat yourself dry after a shower with a soft cotton towel and apply a lubricating moisturizer on the affected areas while the skin still feels moist and soft. Massaging the skin with vitamin E oil immediately after a bath also helps reduce the symptoms to some extent by preventing the skin from becoming too rough and dry. You should also include sea fish in your regular diet, as they are a rich natural source of fatty acids containing omega 3, 6 and 9, which help regulate the production of keratin by the skin cells.
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