Keratosis pilaris is a skin condition, where the skin on the back and outer sides of the upper arms are rough and bumpy. It can also appear almost anywhere else on the body, especially on the thighs and tops of legs. It does not generally occur on palms or soles of feet.
It can be related to an allergy, including a gluten allergy.
Keratosis pilaris is also called chicken skin because it resembles goose bumps. Many people are unaware they have this condition, confusing it with acne, especially when it appears on the face.
There are several types of keratosis pilaris:
Keratosis pilaris rubra red, inflamed bumps
Keratosis pilaris alba rough, bumpy skin with no irritation
Keratosis pilaris rubra faceii reddish rash on the cheeks
The condition can become more of an irritated rash. Scratching it can make is spread.
It affects an estimated 40% of the adult population, and up to 80% of adolescents.
Keratosis pilaris is causes by an excess of keratin (a skin pigment) in the body. The excess keratin a cream coloured substance, collects in the hair follicles, blocking them and forming hard plugs. You can feel this as hard bumps.
Dry conditions make it worse, which is why it is often worse in the winter.
No medically accepted cause is known, but anecdotal evidence suggests that it can be related to diet and allergies in some cases.
Some people find that gluten may be a trigger, caused by a gluten allergy or by celiac. In this case, a gluten-free diet will clear up the keratosis pilaris problem, along with many other symptoms.
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Gluten-free diet cured my Keratosis pilaris
I have had Keratosis pilaris my whole life and have always been self consious when wearing short-sleeved & sleeveless shirts. I discovered 2 years ago that I was allergic to Wheat Gluten and since eliminating this from my diet, my Keratosis pilaris went away. I tried to add wheat back into my diet over Thanksgiving 2009 and my Keratosis pilaris came back. I have gone back to the Gluten-fee diet and my Keratosis Pilaris is almost completely cleared up- (took about 6 weeks). Hope this helps!
Gluten-free diet cured my Keratosis pilaris
Thanks Jennifer. I’m sure your story will help others with similar problems.
re: gluten-free diet
That’s so amazing! How did you discover you were allergic to Wheat Gluten? Did you have stomach problems? I am trying a dairy free and gluten free diet (week 2.5) and no improvement noticed yet. Was yours a gradual improvement over 6 weeks or did you not notice it until week 6? I am just wondering how long I need to be on this diet to see improvement. Thanks for letting me know.
How long to wait on gluten-free diet
I suggest you try a completely gluten-free and dairy free diet for at least 8 weeks.
If you slip up and accidentally eat some gluten, you have to start over.
Some people notice an improvement very quickly, for others it takes longer.
For me it was about three weeks the first time.
Now I notice three weeks of misery if I slip up, and about 8 weeks for everything to completely clear my system.
Hope that helps.
Do you think it will help to simply reduce gluten but not totally eliminate gluten from the diet? It seems impossible to attempt a totally gluten free diet for a toddler. Please share your gluten free diet and what you would eat during a typical day. thanks!
Reducing gluten won’t help much, if at all.
You really do have to eliminate all of it.
Compiling my gluten free diet will take quite a while. I might develop it into a product when I have the time.
You will find further information and recipes on this site.
I suggest you focus on the foods that can be eaten, rather than those which can’t.
gluten and KP
I def think there is a connection. My daughter is borderline gluten intolerant and has terrible KP. When she cut back on her pb and j’s on wheat it started to improve. It’s really hard for her to not eat any but we are going to try. Also have read a lot of about the carrot juice- will see if I can get her to drink it. Walnuts for omega 3 are good and I’ve also heard apple cider , coconut oil and even olive oil but you def have to treat it form the inside out as well. Also bought this aloe skin gel at henry’s it has no water added, chamomile and tons of great stuff in it. There is a tiny trial size for $2. That helps with any kind of lotion that has alpha hydroxy etc in it. I found the hand creams that are stronger work best. For her face I use a pumpkin enzyme mask and ID lotion by bare minerals. It works great but you have to do it like every other day and the ID 2x per day. Also sometimes neosporin will help and is summer with swimming and sun it has gone completely! Don’t forget to exfoliate gently in the shower too.
Good tips
Thanks for the additional tips, Gina. Good luck with the carrot juice!
My toddler’s KP is much worse during the hottest days of summer. I suspect sunscreen and chlorine in the pool water really aggravate it. Anyone else experience this?