Coconut Oil

I just wanted to comment on the amazing results we have had using Coconut Oil for Keratosis Pilaris. My 10 year old daughter has had the bumps on her upper arms and just a small amount on her cheeks for as long as I can remember but as it was not too noticeable we have just always moisturised it but otherwise left it alone. Just recently seemingly overnight her whole face became covered with it. She was becoming quite anxious about it so we tried a few different things which only seemed to inflame it. After reading some other posts on this website I decided to give the Coconut Oil a try as we already had some that I use in cooking so I thought it couldn't do too much harm. I have to say this stuff is amazing for your skin. After just one application overnight there was over 50% improvement. We have been applying it twice a day now for just over a week and I would say about 95% of the bumps have gone. Her skin is glowing and smoother than it has ever been. Thanks to those who suggested it.
Coconut Oil

Hi everyone, I have suffered from KP since the age of 4 that's as far as I can remember, I had it all over my legs and for the past year I got it on my arms. I have now been applying organic extra virgin coconut oil cold pressed on my arms and legs everyday for the past 3 months and I have noticed a big difference. The red dots have gone especially on my arms I would say about 90% gone but I still have the bumps both on my arms and legs, there is an improvement but maybe I need to keep using it or maybe even ingesting it might help me more but I thought I would put it out there and I will write back in a couple of months and let you know if it's gone completely or not. I also use goat's milk soap and apply the coconut oil after my shower before bed.
Thank you earth clinic for all your help and good luck to everyone.
Coconut Oil

I don't know if it is the antibacterial or the moisturizing qualities of coconut oil but applying a small amount of it daily to my KP has made it completely disappear! In less than a week, even. I have also had the same success with Jojoba oil, which is why I think it may have to do with moisturizing. However, no lotion has ever given me one drop of relief.
Coconut Oil

Better But With Side Effects
Hi everyone. I've been ingesting and using 100% pure organic coconut oil since October 2007. I have excema and keratosis pilaris. I've found that my keratosis has gotten better, practicaly non existent, but my excema has worsened. I find that it is drying on my skin and I would need to keep moisturizing constantly throughout the day which is no good. Not sure if that is just because of the cleansing properties of the coconut oil and the toxins are just making their way out of my system or not .. but my excema has definitely not improved. in fact, i've developed a whole new kind of rash. kind of a blistery raised looking rash. I had to switch back to using Aveeno on my skin and just ingesting the coconut oil. Has this happened to anyone else?? Should I be drinking more water? I only take a teaspoon of the oil a day and drink aloe vera juice as well, twice a day. should I just continue to' take the oil and put it on my skin?
(Stroudsburg, Pa)
01/26/2009
FYI... All skin conditions stem from the GUT. You could be allergic to something you are eating. Finding out "WHAT" and eliminating it is helpful. Then "HEALING" the stomach lining is important. BEETS and OKRA are healing to the lining.
(Champaign, IL.)
07/03/2009
Kay from Toronto: Your new rash sounds like yeast. Coconut oil has antifungal properties, as does the raw apple cider vinegar! You are most likely killing off yeast and experiencing "die-off". As frustrating as it is, continue on with the ACV and CO! Try rubbing the ACV on the new rash (dilute it or it might burn...I've used 1-2 tbsp ACV per 1 cup of water). It will help kill the yeast, as will the coconut oil. I've also heard taking biotin and Grapefruit seed extract helps minimize the die off reactions.
On a side note, I am so encouraged by all of your stories! I have battled KP my whole life. I feel so unattractive when my husband rubs my arms or back. He doesn't care but it is always something that makes me want to shy away. I am going to try it in the shower and in a mix. I will let you know how it turns out! Thanks!
(Las Vegas, Nv)
09/21/2009
I have used coconut oil on my skin for years. I have eczema and C.O. helps moisturize and prevents infection because of it's antibacterial/antifungal properties.
My best cure for eczema is to avoid allergy foods and take Evening Primrose Oil, 3000-6000mg a day. Plus, I expose the rash to 15-30 minutes of direct sunlight each day. The sunlight must be in the morning between 7:30-10:30 am. The healing rays are strongest at that time and the harmful UV rays are minimal. (tanning booths work too.) This may sound like an odd treatment, but the sunlight prescription was the best advise a natural doctor ever gave to me. The sunlight will heal my eczema in two days with the E.P.O.!
The sunlight will also help with yeast/fungus/tinitus rashes too, because yeast is a fungus that grows in the dark and hates sunlight. If the rash diminishes but still persists you are probably dealing with yeast. Start using Lotramin AF daily. If it starts to go away, you ARE dealing with yeast/fungus for sure. You must use the Lotramin AF consistantly without a break until the stubborn fungus is gone - it might take two weeks. (Be careful not to cross contaminate your other oils/creams after you touch a yeast infection. Wash your hands thouroughly.)
happy healing!
(Barrie, Ont Canada)
06/01/2011
Dr Hulda Clarke in her books, notes that most skin afflications are parasite based. Im wondering if Black walnut tincture would help, it can be bought or made, if you would like Dr Clarkes amazing book I will email freely to anyone. Another good rememdy for skin afflictions is Ozonated Olive Oil. Best of Health and Luck to all who reside here!!!!!!!
Brian
Cod Liver Oil

I had the very same problem with my two toddlers as Mommy Of E (Three Rivers, Mi) 08/16/2012.
It went away when I started to give them cod liver oil.
Your daughter could have a vitamin A or K2 deficiency which becomes worsen when the vitamin D levels gets to high during summer. This since they're often used together. You could try giving her more egg yolks, fish and butter or feed her cod liver oil or other suplement. You can read more about the issue if you google Chris Cresser.
Good luck
D3 and Magnesium Malate

For a while now I've been meaning to buy a better quality magnesium and ditch my crappy magnesium oxide. I had been taking magnesium and D3 for my psoriasis (that will be a different post altogether). Recently when I finally bought some Magnesium Malate and started taking it, I noticed that my keratosis improved.
D3 can be harmful without Magnesium and Vitamin K, so I take all three.
I try to make it my daily routine, but realistically, I remember to do this about 4 times a week:
- 2 capsules 1000 iu D3 (From Trader Joe's. Capsules, not tablets.)
- 1 tablet 425 mg Magnesium Malate (I switched from Magnesium Oxide.)
- 1 tablet Vitamin K (I take Vit K only in the occasion I don't get enough from food sources.)
After a few days of taking this, I noticed that my keratosis on the back of my upper arms went away. A few days after that, my chronic hives on my forearms went away too.
The keratosis on my upper arms didn't bother me. It was more the burning hives that were a concern, but it's an added bonus to have smooth upper arms again.
If I would forget to take my supplement trio, the keratosis would return only after a day or so.
Detoxification

I'm of fair complexion with dry, sensitive skin so have suffered with keratoses pilaris, eczema, cracked skin on hands during winter and various rashes at different times in my life. I've found that when my diet is clean (free from foods and beverages high in fat, additives and preservatives) my skin tends to be clear also. I supplement my diet with a probiotic in capsule form daily, which also seems to help prevent colds and gastro-intestinal maladies by boosting the immune system through balance of the intestinal flora and keeping yeast (fungus) in check. I also use ginger, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, garlic and onion regularly in my cooking.
When I was in my twenties, I went for a series of 11 colonics over ten weeks. I was amazed that the keratosis pilaris on my buttocks had completely disappeared and my skin, as smooth as silk. It was clear that the detoxification of my system through the colonic regimen had created the desired effect. Hope this helps!
Dietary Changes

To those who think kp is due to diet: it is!
My research has turned up that almost every skin condition is due to low essential fatty acids. Some people have trouble processing EFAs; for others, it is a dietary problem. I am treating my kp with high ALAs from plant sources in combination with an alpha hydrox scrub in the shower and topical treatment of apple cider vinegar afterward, and my kp is almost entirely gone.
Dietary Changes

After several years of research, I have come into the agreement that keratosis pilaris is primarily the manifestation of chronic autoimmune inflammation or allergic reactions in response to various substances of certain foods. The particular set of causes can differ from person to person. I suggest doing an elimination diet that involves one or more of the following: dairy, soy, grains, wheat, protein. I recommend first reducing your total protein intake, avoiding animal proteins, and restricting the consumption of gluten grains for a good while. At the same time, eat softer foods that are easier to ingest. Do try to detoxify and cleanse a little more as well. If possible, you should definitely seek out doctors that can perform thorough testing for a multitude of sensitivities and intolerances. Finally, see what amount of local food you can obtain or grow yourself. I wish you success.
Dietary Changes

I dropped dairy and grains and tried soap without parabens, which helped somewhat, especially avoiding hard cheese. However, after dropping Soy Lecithin from my diet my Keratosis Pilaris has cleared up very well.
Dietary Changes

I have seen keratosis pilaris completely eradicated in both my husband and daughter-in-law. It has been done through dietary changes. In the case of my husband, we have eliminated all dairy, eat mostly raw and take green juices every morning. But in the case of my daughter-in-law, I recommended she stop eating dairy. That was a big request for her since she was born and raised in Paris and absolutely loved cheese and yogurt. The main reason I suggested that was because she had a lot of stomach issues.
Well, it's been about 6 mo. since she's really done that and the other day she came to me to say she's noticed many changes in herself since she did that. Her stomach no longer bothers her which is a biggie and a tremendous relief to her. Interestingly, she was told that yogurt would help her stomach, so she would eat it when it hurt. The pain would stop temporarily but then it would return within about an hour.
The second thing she noticed was all the bumps on her upper arms disappeared. The reason she was coming to me was because they have recently returned but this time with white heads on them. She wanted to see if I had an explanation and what else she could do to facilitate her changes. I explained that often, detoxing will come in stages as the body cleanses deeper and deeper, detoxifying old stuff that our body has accumulated. She is only 20 so thankfully, there aren't too many years of accumulation! I also suggested to go gluten-free and drink green juices every morning. Well, she has embraced both of these and is seeing herself rejuvenated! I have to say her facial skin glows! She is a model so that is, most definitely, a benefit to her. She also said she feels lighter and is thinking clearer. She said she has no intention of returning to eating dairy after seeing these big changes especially the absence of constant stomach pain.
I hope this information can help someone else out there. There are answers...
Peace to all of you, Lisa
DMSO and Aspirin

My Keratosis Pilaris (alba) is barely perceivable after only two applications of 70% DMSO mixed with aspirin (a beta-hydroxy acid. ) Fast results! I am so happy!
Exfoliate Daily

A better remedy to get rid of the bumps and to not deal with the smell of ACV is to exfoliate everyday. Get a natural loofah and buy an exfoliating gel or liquid soap (one that has oatmeal or walnut bits in it) and exfoliate in the shower daily. You will need to scrub well and it will be a bit rough on your skin. Apply non scented lotion afterward to soothe your skin. If you do this daily, your KR will improve. It will take at least a month to notice the difference but it really works. I've had KR for over 20 years.
Fish Oil Supplements

keratosis pilaris
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

I am going to try Apple Cider Vinegar and coconut oil on my daughters who both have bad cases of KP. We have been using a foot sander to gently exfoliate their arms and legs once a week. This very cheap method is the only thing I have found that actually gives them smooth skin. They cost about $2 at any drugstore. It does not take away the red spots. It does help them feel better about the texture of their skin. I highly recommend for those with a heavy case. I have used KP Duty and other creams from our dermatologist but gentle sanding is the only thing that has actually helped us.