Keratosis Pilaris: Do You Have Chicken Skin?

Keratosis Pilaris is a common skin disease affecting 40% of the population. It's characterized by small, rough bumps that give the skin a sandpaper-like texture. Sometimes it's described as looking like chicken skin.

Keratosis pilaris can occur anywhere on the body (except the palms of the hands and soles of the feet), but most generally affects the cheeks, backs of the upper arms, buttocks, and thighs. The little rough bumps are flesh-colored or slightly red. Sometimes they itch, but otherwise they don't affect one's physical health.

This skin disease is believed to be caused by plugs of dead skin cells that form at the site of a hair follicle. What causes the dead skin cells to form in the first place has been debated. Keratosis pilaris also seems to be worse in the winter. It's believed that summertime humidity keeps the skin more moist and the redness less obvious.

Keratosis pilaris affects primarily children and young adults, although it can continue later in life as well. The tendency toward this skin disease also appears to be inherited.

Treatment in the medical community involves addressing the symptoms. Because keratosis pilaris is not a physical health problem, doctors are generally treating this skin disease for cosmetic reasons. The use of creams and ointments to address skin dryness is generally the first course of treatment. Mild peeling agents that open the plugged follicles are also used, including urea preparations, lactic acid creams, and topical retinoids.

More recently, sufferers have looked to naturopathic doctors in hopes of addressing keratosis pilaris from the inside out, versus just treating symptoms. There have been some very promising reports from individuals and naturopathic clinics indicating that intolerance to certain foods may be responsible for this skin disease. Although controversial, vega tests have been used to compare the frequencies of foods to the frequency of the body. When an individual's "negative foods" are identified, they submit to a plan of avoiding those foods. Reports are that individuals who have followed a strict regime of avoiding their "negative foods" are having stunning results in terms of complete disappearance of keratosis pilaris symptoms. Although there are few, if any, naturopathic doctors who administer the vega test in the United States, Canada and other countries do have such doctors. The cost of a vega test is generally less than $100.

Although not a health-threatening skin disease, keratosis pilaris takes a heavy emotional toll for those who have severe cases. For those and other sufferers, the Keratosis Pilaris Information Center offers a community forum where sufferers exchange information and support. The forum can be accessed at: www.keratosispilaris.org.