Strawberry skin aka keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition found in every 5 out of 10 people. Now the skin condition is not a major skin disease because its not problematic and does not have any trouble causing effects on skin. However the appearance of the skin bothers most people and builds minor insecurities in some. Here’s why you need to understand what you have is not something odd and it can be taken care of in simple ways. Read our article by Neeharika Awasthi to know more!

There’s Nothing Odd About Keratosis Pilaris!

Now because Indians suffer with this mild skin condition and the cases per year are 10 million, it’s a very common skin condition almost seen everywhere. Don’t be too harsh on yourself and take it as a part of yourself because most people have slight keratosis pilaris somewhere on their body. People of any age are found to have keratosis pilaris, however it’s been observed that keratosis pilaris increases around the puberty period and often disappears by the age of 30. Keratosis pilaris is self treatable and doesn’t need a major skin treatment under a professional.

What Is Strawberry Skin?

Strawberry skin or also known as chicken skin has rough patches and small bumps around hair follicles that leads to the appearance of bumpy skin. The bumps are light coloured or often get redness around them, the bumps on skin feels like sand paper. They are mostly found near thighs, cheeks, buttocks, arms and legs, people with dry skin and atopic dermatitis

How Is It Caused ?

Keratosis pilaris results from the excessive build-up of keratin which is a hard protein that protects skin barriers from outer harmful bacteria, substances and infection. The keratin forms a scaly plug that often seems like extra skin or bump around hair follicle that blocks the opening of the hair follicle. Usually many plugs caused around hair follicles leads to the appearance of bumpy skin. There is no scientific reasoning behind why keratosis pilaris is formed in certain people, anyone from any age group to any physically healthy person can have this.

Is It Curable?

The skin condition keratosis pilaris is not curable but its often observed that keratosis pilaris automatically disappears by the age of 30. But there are simple measures one can take to control the amount of keratosis pilaris.

How To Control Keratosis Pilaris?

• opt for waxing – waxing is recommended instead of shaving, not only waxing will pluck the hair from roots but the keratin formed around hair follicle often leads to ingrown hair so it will avoid bumps and open up the hair follicles

• Hydrate – Keratosis pillaris is often formed due to dry skin. Try to keep your skin as hydrated as possible. Good shea butter, thick moisturiser, body milk and body butter helps a lot to restore moisture in hair follicles.

• Choose Luke Warm Water – luke warm water is going to open up your pores and it’ll be easier to cleanse skin well.

• Exfoliate regularly – skin with Keratosis pilaris condition needs more exfoliation than regular skin. The keratin around hair follicle can be gently removed with a period of exfoliating, but make sure you don’t exfoliate vigorously or don’t pick the on bumps because that can spread the infection more.