Keratosis pilaris is harmless and does not require treatment.
Others say their symptoms improve after eliminating gluten and dairy.
This article discusses the dietary management of keratosis pilaris.
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
Benefits
There is no universal diet for keratosis pilaris.
Certain factors may be associated with keratosis pilaris and trigger or worsen symptoms.
These factors include:
Some alternative medicine practitioners suggest following ananti-inflammatory dietto reduceinflammationand keep the condition in remission.
An anti-inflammatory diet is closely aligned with aMediterranean diet.
Many people with keratosis pilaris have other chronic health conditions.
As such, dietary management should be individualized, considering these conditions.
For example, a person with diabetes may benefit from a moderate carbohydrate intake and avoiding added sugar.
Duration
Unless otherwise recommended by your healthcare provider, an anti-inflammatory diet can follow throughout your life.
It can also help you maintain a healthy weight, fight chronic inflammation, and prevent long-term chronic disease.
While some people prefer to eat three larger meals daily, others do better with six smaller meals daily.
Pregnant people should increase their nutrient intake to promote healthy fetal development.
Considerations
Changing your eating habits can be intimidating.
When you are prepared for the potential challenges you may face, your chances of success significantly increase.
To help keep costs to a minimum, you might purchase canned tuna and frozen fruits and vegetables.
you might enjoy leftovers throughout the week.
Flexibility
A healthy eating pattern allows you to enjoy a variety of different foods.
For the most part, this diet is flexible and very easy to follow.
It does not restrict any food groups or require you to follow a strict meal plan.
Instead, it focuses on eating more foods that have health-promoting properties.
Summary
There are no specific dietary recommendations for keratosis pilaris.
Although anecdotal evidence suggests that removing gluten and dairy may be beneficial, no scientific studies support this.
In addition, because the condition is inflammatory, following an anti-inflammatory diet may be helpful.
Foods to incorporate into your daily meals include fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats.
Despite some people reporting improvements by eliminating gluten and dairy, there is no evidence to support doing so.
The good news is that the condition usually starts improving as you age.
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