Grater skin – This is how you get keratosis piralis under control

Summer is here! The sun is shining and you can finally wear T-shirts, tops and dresses again. And it is precisely in this clothing situation that the small and larger flaws of our skin become apparent again. For example, those stupid pouches on my upper arms and legs that look a bit like goosebumps. The problem has a name: Keratosis Pilaris, which means “grater skin”.

This genetic skin problem is a keratinization disorder of the skin caused by an overproduction of keratin. The body's own protein is the basic building block of our hair and nails and gives the skin tissue stability. For anyone affected by keratin, the body produces too much keratin, which then builds up in the skin's hair follicles, clogging pores and thereby thickening the outer layer of skin. This is how the typical pimples of keratosis pilaris arise.

The bad news: This skin disorder cannot be cured. The good news: On the one hand, grater skin weakens on its own with increasing age and, on the other hand, with the right care it can be treated well and improved sustainably. The basis is thorough personal hygiene. The affected skin areas should be cleansed at least once a day with a mild, soap-free washing lotion. A regular peeling, for example with sea salt, removes the top layers of skin and can thereby loosen calluses. And very important: cream, cream, cream! It's best to use a cream or lotion containing urea, because urea binds moisture in the skin and counteracts calluses.

But it's not just care alone that helps reduce annoying pustules. Now in summer, thanks to exposure to the sun, the skin improves as the body produces more skin-strengthening vitamin D. In winter you can support your skin with regular visits to the solarium. But please don't overdo it, because the positive effect is of course still offset by the risk of premature skin aging and skin cancer. Regular sauna sessions can also relieve keratosis piralis, as it can purify the skin and make subsequent peelings even more effective.

Not surprisingly, diet also has an influence on grater skin. Gluten, for example, can have negative effects, but whether you really have gluten intolerance should be clarified with a specialist. In general, a balanced diet with lots of vitamins and nutrients has a positive effect on the complexion. And drink a lot, especially now in summer. It should be at least 2 liters a day, preferably water and as little sweetened soft drinks as possible.