"Goose Skin" On The Hands

Content

• "Goose skin" (follicular keratosis): the nature and mechanisms of development.
• Symptoms and complaints.
• "Goosebumps" on the arms and legs - a connection with vitamin deficiencies.
• How to get rid of goose bumps.

Goose bumps or follicular keratosis is one of the most widespread dermatological diseases, especially among children and adolescents, caused by the accumulation of keratin in the hair follicles. Having a multifactorial and not fully understood nature, this disease can be called a cosmetic defect rather than a real health-threatening condition.

As a rule, the extensor surfaces of the shoulder, forearm, as well as the buttocks and thighs are affected (but in some cases, the appearance of "goosebumps" on the face and distal extremities - shins) is noted. Keratosis is first detected in a baby in early childhood as moderate lesions and gradually progresses, becoming more extensive during the second decade of a child's life. It is believed that the development of keratosis is based on a genetic mutation (presumably in the gene encoding the formation of filaggrin, a structural protein of the skin) and a violation of transmission in specific signaling pathways, which together leads to a violation of the barrier function of the stratum corneum of the skin. In addition, being harmless in itself, follicular keratosis is often combined with atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis vulgaris, obesity, and even diabetes.

The most widely accepted theory for the development of "goosebumps" on the hands and feet suggests an abnormal keratinization of the follicular epithelium, causing the formation of funnel-shaped keratinized plugs. Those, in turn, lead to the development of erythema (excessive redness of the skin), peeling, the formation of inflammatory papules (elevations or tubercles), which are a characteristic sign of follicular keratosis. The latter, as a rule, manifests itself in the winter months and is probably associated with a low moisture content in the air.

Symptoms and complaints

• Redness of the skin, not accompanied by pain and itching, and most often localized on the extensor surfaces of the shoulder, forearm, thighs, and buttocks (however, the face, trunk, and distal extremities, such as the hand and foot, can also be affected).
• Scars (occur secondarily, are a complication of follicular keratosis due to traumatic effects on the affected areas, for example, when patients try to remove keratinized material from papules).

"Goosebumps" on the hands and feet - a connection with a vitamin deficiency

As far back as the last century, scientists have hypothesized the role of vitamin A in maintaining healthy skin function. And although the scientific base has not yet been accumulated, a number of studies clearly demonstrate that a deficiency of this fat-soluble vitamin is involved in the development of follicular keratosis.

Vitamin A plays an important role in a wide range of physiological processes, including night vision, immune response, cell division and specialization, and cell-to-cell communication.

This vitamin enters the human body with food in the form of two forms:

• more active - with animal products (eggs and dairy products);

• as a precursor, beta-carotene, from plant foods, especially yellow and orange vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins) and fruits (mangoes, apricots, and papaya), as well as dark green leafy greens (kale and spinach).

Interestingly, the level of vitamin A in the blood of patients with follicular keratosis in most cases is normal, and this makes us pay attention to another organ, no less important in the context of metabolism: the liver. It is here that fat-soluble vitamins that come with food or supplements accumulate and it is from here that they are released into the systemic circulation if necessary. In addition, about 5% of the total amount of vitamin A is found in adipose tissue and lymph nodes, but in the skin, eyes and other epithelial structures (i.e., in those places where the metabolism of this vitamin is critical), its concentration is so small, which is difficult to determine.

Thus, not only a sufficient intake of vitamin A, but also its adequate metabolism, primarily associated with maintaining the normal function of the gastrointestinal tract, ensures the normal barrier function of the skin and prevents the development of a number of dermatological diseases.

Therefore, when “goosebumps” are detected on the arms and legs, a prerequisite for treatment tactics is laboratory and instrumental diagnostics of the state of the digestive tract organs:

• hepatic profile - ALT, AST, GGT, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, direct and indirect bilirubin (to exclude pathologies from the liver that make it impossible to accumulate vitamin A);
• coprogram (reflects the adequacy of the work of the entire gastrointestinal tract, in particular, the presence of neutral fat and soap indicates a violation of the secretion and / or formation of bile, a decrease in the enzymatic function of the pancreas, which together leads to impaired absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and the development of "goose bumps");
• pancreatic elastase in feces (a marker of the sufficiency of exocrine - enzymatic - pancreatic function).

Measurement of the level of retinol (one of the active forms of vitamin A) in the blood serum is considered to be of little indicative. First, because of the wide range of reference values. Secondly, a significant decrease in the concentration of retinol, as a rule, occurs only with a pronounced violation of liver function that occurs in a number of serious diseases and infections. Finally, the indicator itself is quite variable: the concentration of circulating retinol is influenced by factors such as the acute phase of inflammation, pregnancy, and micronutrient deficiencies.

How to get rid of goosebumps on hands

Evidence-based medicine emphasizes that there is no cure for follicular keratosis (since its development is associated with the presence of a genetic mutation). However, although the scientific base is still insufficient (and therefore many mechanisms remain unknown or poorly explained), the first works on the influence of diet on the course of the disease are beginning to appear.

In particular, positive dynamics is noted in patients who exclude gluten-containing products from the diet:

• fast food;
• ready-made sauces (especially soy) and marinades;
• semi-finished products;
• dairy products;
• canned food;
• potato chips;
• cereals, muesli, granola and other breakfast cereals;
• bakery and confectionery products (depending on the type of flour used);
• sausage and ham;
• baking powder;
• breadcrumbs;
• ice cream;
• bouillon cubes;
• canned fruits and vegetables;
• minced meat (may be contaminated, have traces of gluten);
• processed cheeses;
• beer;
• ale;
• liqueurs;
• some carbonated drinks.

(Gluten, or gluten, is a group of related proteins found in a number of grains: rye, barley, wheat, bulgur, couscous, and spelt. See our article for more details.)

For similar reasons, it is recommended to limit the consumption of highly allergenic foods: milk, peanuts, and in some cases, chicken eggs. Although their use is not directly related to the development of "goosebumps", they definitely exacerbate inflammatory processes in the intestines, especially in the presence of "favorable soil": dysbacteriosis, impaired carbohydrate metabolism, and obesity. This is due to the fact that large, heavy protein molecules (which normally should not pass through the epithelial layer of the intestine), being absorbed from the intestinal lumen, enter its submucosal layer - the place where immune cells accumulate. The latter recognize genetically alien sequences and start a chain of immunological processes - systemic inflammation develops. And any inflammation in the digestive tract can sooner or later affect the skin in the form of psoriasis,

For this reason, the preparation of a diet for patients with any dermatological diseases should be carried out individually by a nutritionist or nutritionist and be sure to provide for aspects that are gentle on the digestive system (for example, with a pronounced inflammatory process and the resulting malabsorption syndrome, it is worth considering the intake of thermally processed food with minimization and / or temporary excluding raw vegetables and fruits).

In addition, in the absence of cholelithiasis, gastritis and peptic ulcer in the acute stage, it is recommended to include bitter herbs, spices and some root crops in the diet - ginger, black radish, chicory root, artichoke, sage leaves, arugula, Brussels sprouts. They perfectly stimulate the outflow of bile, thereby facilitating the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. The contraction of the gallbladder with the subsequent flow of bile into the lumen of the duodenum is directly facilitated by foods rich in fats: olives, fatty fish (salmon, sardine, herring), vegetable (olive, linseed, pumpkin, avocado oil) and animal oils (ghee ghee ).

Adequate daily fluid intake is a prerequisite for maintaining the health and functions of the skin: water in the body mainly acts as a solvent, transport carrier, maintains the volume of circulating blood and regulates body temperature. Lack of water can cause tissue dehydration and functional disorders (including inflammation), and dry skin contributes to the development of follicular keratosis.

Studies show that drinking more than two liters of water per day significantly affects the physiology of the skin and contributes to both superficial and deep hydration. To calculate the individual need for water, there is a formula: 30-35 ml per 1 kg of weight.

At the heart of the local treatment of follicular keratosis is the main rule: thorough moisturizing of the skin. Various emollients are used, many of which are sold without a prescription (but in any case, they should be prescribed by a dermatologist). Doctors often prescribe keratolytic drugs that help exfoliate dead, keratinized skin cells. So, many studies show a positive effect when using creams with 6% salicylic acid or 20% urea.

Retinoids, chemical peels with 70% glycolic acid and laser therapy are also often used topically. All procedures are carried out in specialized clinics and require a preliminary consultation with a dermatologist - any drug, whether it is a goose bumps cream or peeling, has a number of contraindications for use and side effects.

Thus, follicular keratosis, having a close relationship with inflammatory processes in the body, requires local therapy selected by a dermatologist and lifestyle changes (an integrative nutritionist will help with this). Creating an anti-inflammatory nutrition protocol, reducing stress levels, proper sleep hygiene - the combination of these factors ensures a successful and lasting remission.