Do you have itchy arms, legs or bottox?

Is your skin persistently itchy, especially your arms, legs, or buttocks? Then you most probably have a condition called Keratosis Pilaris (KP)! It is actually quite common, and most people experience it in one way or another, and it will often go away naturally. However, we will mention a few things you can do to help KP wear off quicker. KT happens through a build-up of Keratin in the hair follicles. Keratin is a vital protein for healthy hair, nails, and the upper layer of the skin. When the skin gets dry, it may develop bumps which can be at times very itchy. As the hair follicles are blocked, ingrown hairs are also common with KP. Now, before we look at what we can do to overcome KP, we need to determine the cause. Even though no underlying conditions have been found as such, different causes can be a trigger and aggravate the condition: ● Consumption of meat ● Consumption of ● Consumption of gluten ● Vitamin A deficiency ● Not drinking enough water ● Showering hot temperature

heavy diuretic consumption( Tea, Coffee, Fizzy drinks, Alcohol..) The triggers can vary from person to person, but often these actions are triggering KP. After determining the cause, you should start the elimination process e.g. drinking enough water (for healthy adults 50ml X bodyweight kg), cutting down on dehydrating drinks such as coffee, tea, sodas, and alcohol, changing eating habits, and adjusting the shower temperature. This will help you in overcoming KP. But there is more you can do to help your body, such as:

● Dry brushing/ exfoliating is not only stimulating circulation but also removes dry and dead skin. Start on the right side, going upward and downward on the inside of your arm or leg. You can also brush in clockwise circles. Use a medium or soft brush when dry brushing as you want to be gentle with your skin and not damage it. Dry brush daily and, if possible, before your shower. ● A hot & cold shower can help with circulation and help in cleaning your pores. I would recommend just adding this at the end of your shower routine. The hot water does not need to be too warm - just comfortable for cleansing. Use the same technique you use for dry brushing, and make sure you alternate the water temperature after a few minutes. ● Moisturizing is another way to keep your skin keep moist and feel less itchy. It is also great after showing or dry brushing. We have an amazing moisturizer recipe here, using Witch Hazel Water, Aloe Vera Gel, Lavender essential oil and Jojoba oil. You can adjust it using different essential oils or replacing the Jojoba oil with Coconut oil or Argan oil.

Witch hazel is a potent herb when it comes to treating skin problems. When the bumps on the skin are due to dry skin or hair removal, witch hazel is an excellent home remedy. It soothes the skin, reduces inflammation, and kills any bacteria that may be present. Aloe vera gel is not only soothing for the skin, but it also has healing and moisturizing effects. Lavender essential is great as it helps with healing wounds and calms skin irritation. Jojoba oil is also beneficial in healing your skin from KP as it is gentle on most skin types. It is moisturizing and also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Lemon essential oil is another oil for keeping your pores clean and reduce enlarged pores. It also helps with wound healing and infections. It can be a skin irritant, so please test it before use on a small spot and should only be used diluted.

It is also phototoxic, which means it can bleach your skin when going into the sun after application. Therefore, I recommend its use in the evening. Argan oil is a non-greasy oil that nourishes the skin. It contains vitamin E that helps in maintaining healthy and blemish-free skin. Argan oil is also effective in healing wounds and scars. Coconut oil is also a fantastic treatment for KP as it contains Lauric Acid, which can help break up Keratin, and avoid build-up and therefore reduce the appearance of bumps on your body. It is also rich in both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. We hope this article has given you some more information on what you can do when struggling with Keratosis Pilaris. Please feel free to contact us here if you are having questions or are interested in a consultation.