Exfoliate Daily
★★★★★
Fish Oil Supplements
★★★★☆
I have had "chicken skin" since I was pre-adolescent and thought it would be a lifelong ailment. I started reading about the benefits of fish oils and omega-3 fatty acids and began incorporating omega-3 fish oil supplements into my diet for general health reasons. To my astonishment, my KP cleared up within 3 weeks! The redness and bumpiness were simply gone. I later quit taking the supplements (sheer forgetfulness) and noticed that my arms felt bumpy again, but it's still not red and inflamed and itchy like it used to be. It's a good reason/reminder to get me back taking the supplements, anyway. The softgels I used were 1000 mg cold water fish oil and I took one per day.
(Princeton, Nj Usa)
04/21/2010
I understand that there are many effective treatments and the natural lifestyle changes are the more effective ones. However, these are all treatments. I would like to officially propose what I currently believe to be the cause of/cure for keratosis pilaris. It seems to make clear sense that laundry detergents and such are the main culprits. If you think about it, just about everyone who wears clothing is constantly exposed to those harsh chemicals that are overused everyday. Why do you think kp is abated in the summer only to return returns in the winter, can appear only almost anywhere on the body, and occurs in places like Ireland and England? I have yet to read a single discussion regarding this chemical calamity of Western society that is hidden in plain sight. Would someone follow up on this?
(Usa)
02/02/2011
I agree the chemical stuff is not helping, but I think KP is one of the symptoms of overgrowth of yeast (and/or improper fat digestion, since B5 helps) and consequent mites (they like the yeast).
The reason it improves in the summer is because the mites (demodex) don't like light of any kind, especially the healing sun. Also, the sun improves our immune system. And I think a lot of our issues reflect a lack of Vitamin D. We weren't meant to be indoors all day long.
On a metaphysical level, it's almost like we have a subconscious "death wish. " We're living these lives filled with products (so many poisons) and activities that go against LIFE, a natural life. I can't help but see these mites like maggots, eating away at us, like our stress and misery are eating away at us. I believe when we aren't truly happy (consciously and subconsciously), and most of us aren't, we speak to the Universe with a desire to leave this world. And so one way many of us manifest that "wish, " is to get sick--and slowly die, maggot-like bugs eating at us all the while... We look old way before that should be.
So many things we need to change.
(Jackson Hole, Wy)
01/13/2012
In Response to Dm from Princeton's comment about laundry detergent. Over the past ten years, I've heard during visits to 3 dermatologists that laundry detergents might be a culprit in the cause of KP. For 7 or so years, I've used only the "free and clear" versions of laundry detergents & fabric softener/dryer sheets without added dyes of frangrances and have seen no relief if my KP. If KP is caused by laundry detergent, then perhaps it's a more essential ingredient of detergent that causes it that still remains in the "skin friendly" laundry detergents.
(Nuneaton, United Kingdom)
03/07/2012
★★★★★
I got the same results from using fish oil supplements. I have had KP since I was about 13 and have tried changing washing detergents, a multitude of shower gels and moisturisers. Nothing worked. Then I started taking fish oil for nothing other than its health benefits and found as an added bonus it cleared up my KP!
(Mexico, Mo)
04/18/2013
(Melbourne, AU)
09/04/2014
(Melbourne, AU)
04/20/2015
So I have tried fish oil and cod liver oil (not fermented because I couldn't find any) and omega 3,1552 mg, I tried each kind for 3 weeks and saw no change, I even took 3 capsules a day of the omega 3 for 1 month and saw no difference and then cut back to 1 capsule a day.
For those who saw results, did you have kp on other areas of your body like your legs? I ask because I hear just having bumps on your arms can be an omega 3 deficiency, it might not necessarily be a skin disorder kp, I could be wrong. I'm going to the pharmacy and I will ask for the strongest omega 3 they have and I will try to take that for longer than 3 weeks and I'll let you know how I go, I have kp on my arms and legs.
Gentle Sanding
★★★★☆
Grape Seed Oil
★★★★★
I will also be doing a coffee scrub to help with my cellulite once or twice a week. I have noticed that coffee scrubs also help my kp but this time I will be mixing the ground coffee with grape seed oil. I use more oil in the mixture to help the coffee grounds stick to my skin, I rub it in for 5 minutes and I leave it on for 20 minutes to help with cellulite. If you don't have cellulite then you can just mix brown sugar with grape seed oil and use that as a scrub.
Grape seed oil has also helped lighten uneven or hyperpigmentation in skin and has also helped people with acne and dark under eye circles (remember you don't need too much of it, maybe only 3 drops for your face).
I've also noticed my kp gets worse when I drink soft drink so I've only been drinking water and tea :)
I wish you all the best of luck with finding a treatment or better yet a cure. Maybe even taking grape seed extract supplements could help but I hear it's a blood thinner so that might not be good for us women if you know what I mean.
It's only been 5 days so I will get back to you and let you know how I go. Thanks for your time. I hope I've helped :)
(California)
03/31/2015
Thanks so much for sharing. I will give it a try for 2 weeks and post back with results. I've had KP since early childhood and it might be about 50% better now (mid thirties). I've learned how to "manage" it.... But still searching for a cure. Here's what I've found that work best for me:
- Exfoliation with korean italy towel after soaking in bath (mag chloride or epsom salt added). - Clean eating. Extra veggies. - Intestinal cleansing. - Moisturize: emu oil, vitamin E oil, Goldbond Rough and Bumpy lotion, Sesame oil. Varies day to day... - Just started taking Micellized vitamin A a few weeks ago. Skin does seem better, but not sure how much it's really helping. (Take with other fat soluable vitamins - A, D, E, K - to maintain balance). Also take a good vitamin and mineral supplement to ensure no deficiencies. - Salicylic acid (crushed aspirin works), alpha hyroxu acids, and borax used as a scrub help smooth bumps and unclog pores. I plan on doing a full cleansing protocol developed by Bill Thompson (see his book on this site for more detail) which includes turpentine. I also am currently taking zeolites to rid heavy metals ans other toxins. Lastly, I plan to test for all food intolerances. If I have improvement with KP after completing those things, I will post again to share my results. And I look forward to any updates from you and others as well!
(Melbourne)
05/13/2015
Hey Indigo,
I have stopped applying grape seed oil for about 2 weeks now because I keep reading that kp is an essential fatty acid deficiency. I am now trying to take a multivitamin+fish oil + krill oil in one to see if that helps, its been 2 weeks and my skin is softer with lesser bumps, I'll get back to you in another 2 weeks. Good luck with everything you are trying. I hope we can find a treatment together, take care.
(Wisconsin)
04/20/2016
(Chicago, Il)
02/20/2018
Hydrogen Peroxide and Borax
★★★★★
I have Vitiligo & have been trying his recipe for curing it using borax and hydrogen peroxide. Since I know KP (keratosis pilaris) is more often than not a parasitic condition, and I know the mentioned chemical combo is used on dogs and cats for demodex mite infestation, Ive applied the solution to the sides of my face and backs of my arms each night before bed. I dont rinse it off. So far it has been extremely effective! Not much has happened with the Vitiligo spot, but I will keep you posted on both!
P.S I also drink 500ml of hot water and ACV every morning upon rising.
(Tyler, Tx)
08/11/2015
Keratosis Pilaris Triggers
My son has KP on his lower part of arms and upper parts of legs, he is 10 years old, he had this for a long time. I took him to dermatologist and was recommended regular out of the counter moisturizers :/ especially in winter time, when skin gets more dry. But it never went away completely.
Then this year we went on vacation overseas to Armenia, we spent 2 months there. Guess what? All his skin was nice and smooth by the time we got back to the States!
I was shocked! Now my question is maybe local water makes it worse? or the wheat? or dairy?
While on vacation he ate everything fresh and organic, drank water from the faucet which is very good there. Showered with same water. So I do not know what exactly causing this Keratosis pilaris but I am so curious to find out.
Kristina (Pittsburgh, Usa),
Pittsburgh is at latitude 40.4406 degrees north while Armenia is at latitude 40.0691 degrees north or very slightly closer to the equator, however, Pittsburgh is at an elevation of 738 to 1,204 feet above sea level while Armenia is at an average of over a mile high meaning that it is closer to the equator and the altitude means that you will get significantly higher UVB exposure from the suns rays and consequently higher vitamin D will be produced in the skin from this superior UVB exposure.
According to this article, vitamin D may play a role in controlling Keratosis Pilaris:
http://www.stopskinpickingcoach.com/vitamin-d/
This seems like a relatively easy thing to test to determine if vitamin D or lack of is playing a role in your son's KP.
Art
L-Lysine
★★★★★
L-Lysine
I have both these skin conditions and I was wondering if anyone has tried L-lysine and found that it made their kp better or worse? I would really like to try it for my rosacea. Please help. Thank you in advance :)
L-Lysine and Vitamin C
(Somewhere, Europe)
06/30/2014
(Melbourne)
07/13/2014
MSM
(LA, US)
07/13/2014
★★★★☆
Hello..A few weeks ago I started "washing" my face with coconut oil and a few drops of lavender and amazingly enough my rosacea is clearing up, about 50 % better! I use this mix to remove my make up. I premix about 2 Tablespoon of Coconut oil with 5 drops of lavender. I leave this mixture in the bathroom and use a small amount on my face every night. I wash it off with a hot wash clothe. Then I add a bit more of the mix to the red patches.
Multiple Remedies
★☆☆☆☆
I have had Keratosis Pilaris on my arms for the longest time and I've tried everything everyone recommends but none of it works (ACV, VCO). Do you have any ideas on what can possibly help to remove the bumps all over my arms?
Thanks and Happy Holidays,
Juan
Juan:
If I had a difficult to solve skin problems I always used a 50% DMSO with tannic acid. If a 50% dmso is prepared in a 100 cc then I would add 1/4 teaspoon of tannic acid, then apply on the skin between 5 to 10 times a day, unrinsed. It tends to deactivate a lot of proteins that caused the problem by denaturing them.
Ted
(Toronto, Canada)
12/29/2010
Hi Juan,
I've heard people say that when they clean up their diets, Keratosis Pilaris disappears. What do I mean by cleaning up your diet? Eating zero processed foods. No sodas. No fast food. No margarine/ corn oil/soybean oil. No pop-into-the-microwave meals. Make everything from scratch using the healthiest ingredients you can afford - organic fruit and vegetables, grass-fed meat, eggs from truly free range chickens, olive oil, good quality butter etc. These are dietary changes that are good for everyone, not some fad diet, so you really can't lose. If it doesn't fix your Keratosis Pilaris, it'll probably benefit in you in other ways. You can't lose. Good luck!
(Marshall, Tx)
02/11/2011
Ironically, I found the BEST remedy for this. UV light. I used to lifeguard in college, and my KP was never a problem, as long as I was sunning every day. That was about 10 years ago and I have not lifeguarded or really been in the sun much-even recreationally. I recently began going to the tanning bed (5-7 min. At a time, 3 times a week). Not to fix my KP, but to get a tan... and my KP has almost completely cleared up! It was markedly better after 2 weeks of UV exposure.
I haven't been able to shave my legs for over a year b/c the KP is so bad on my legs... Needless to say-hubby wants me to keep up the tanning sessions-if only to keep the bumps away!
This is not a treatment I have read about or anything-just something I've discovered after living a life with KP... Sun exposure or tanning bed exposure works wonders!
(Nashville, Tn)
06/13/2011
One of the biggest culprits in keratosis pilaris is actually retinol (vit. A) deficiency. Many people have defective bata carotene conversion (this is genetic) and don't convert beta carotene to retinol as a result.
Good food sources are egg yolks and liver or you can take cod liver oil or a natural vit. A supplement. Topical creams containing retinol or vitamin A are also effective.
Multiple Remedies
★★★☆☆
BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
For the KP on legs, I also use one drop of 3% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide in a squidge of aloe vera. Although the KP was still visible, the skin instantly felt smoother on the very first application. For the last week, I've been on the sea salt cleanse and this has really helped improve the texture of the skin and the red veins in my eyes. Think the mites have set up home there! Exercise definitely helps. I've had to stop jogging for a while but it did clear the skin. We eat about 60% raw, aiming for 75%. It's taken a lifetime to become ill so I suppose it will take a while to gain optimum health.
(Cerritos, Ca)
07/13/2010
(Cheshire, Uk)
07/14/2010
Hi Jean
The recipe is from Kathy's post on Curing Broken Capillaries (thanks, Kathy of Dubois! ) She gives a detailed description on how to make it so you might want to read her post. It's an acquired taste but it helps if you think of the good it's doing! I had to chop the peel into tiny pieces up with kitchen scissors just before eating and mixing into my breakfast fruit and yoghurt. I started off just eating a tsp but now I'm eating a heaped tbsp.
The recipe is:
3-4 organic oranges or a mix of oranges and lemons (this includes the peel too)
1 tablespoon of sea salt or pink salt
1/4 cup whey (from organic yoghurt with active cultures)
1/2 cup of filtered water (I used Evian)
1/4 cup organic honey
I put the sliced fruit into a clear jar (the type used for home-made jam, poured the liquids over and let it ferment for 3 days before transferring to the fridge. The first lot was okay but the second grew some mould on the peel that was above the liquid. It was very hot at that time so 2 days would have been better.
(Denver, Colorado)
07/16/2010
I think that while detergents may be a minor cause of KP, the winter/summer issue has to do with the exposure to sun. Dermatologists have long known that sun exposure helps minimize the appearance of KP. I think that KP is a result of dietary problems and also our skin care routines. We use harsh soaps which dry out the skin and increase the alkalinity making it more susceptible to bacteria. Then we use all these oil free moisturizers, and so our bodies tell us we need to produce more oil and as a result our bodies produce these little oil plugs in the hair follicles. I have recently started using a combination of 1 part extra virgin olive oil to 1/4 part cold pressed castor oil and massaging it on my upper arms for five to ten minutes before I get in the shower. The olive oil is a carrier oil and moisturizer while the castor oil helps to break up the oil plugging the hair follicles. I then wipe off as much oil as possible with a warm wet washcloth while in the shower. I have stopped using all soaps and instead just use the oil combination. After my shower I apply just a couple of drops of jojoba oil as a moisturizer. My skin all over feels softer and smoother and the feel and appearance of my KP has significantly decreased.
Niacin
★★★★★
I have had this "chicken skin" for as long as I can remember. It's hasn't been ruining my life, but it is annoying. However, I recently accidentally discovered a cure: Niacin!
I try to take it regularly because, well, I actually like the way the flush feels. It just feels like it's healthy.
Recently I just happened to notice that my chicken skin was gone. Then I went on vacation and forgot my Niacin. No biggie, but my chicken skin came back. Then when I got home and took the Niacin, it went away again.
I've actually done 3 "experiments" since then (a few months ago) and I've gotten the same results:
Niacin = smooth upper arms
No Niacin = Bumps
I'd say start low, but not too low - it seems to me that as you build up B3 in your system, you flush less. I am trying 1000mg/day, and that seems to be maintaining, but I'd say start around 100, and EMBRACE THE FLUSH!
I've always been a little envious of girls with smooth skin, but now I have it, too, and it's really nice!! I also find that sun helps with the chicken skin but it takes longer to work.
Seriously, if you have this condition, try Niacin. I'm curious to see how many other people it helps!!
Oil Pulling
★★★★★
Oil Pulling With Coconut Oil
★★★★☆
I have a very light case of KP. I tried applying various remedies right onto my skin, but they would just soften the bumps for the day. Exfoliating just made my skin more irritated. I eventually learned about oil pulling and tried with sesame oil. The strong flavor made me gag if I did it after meal (because I didn't have time to do it before the meal). After getting organic, cold-pressed coconut oil, I found that I could oil pull before and after a meal no problem. After about week of daily swishing, I noticed that the bumps in one of my patches were starting to go down. I've been doing this for about a month, if I skip oil pulling for more than two day the bumps start to rise up again.
