Strawberries are the best! However, strawberry legs can be a nightmare. Strawberry legs refer to skin on the legs which have tiny black spots that look like strawberry seeds. Although these spots aren’t painful, they can make you feel conscious about your legs. These spots occur when enlarged open pores or hair follicles, also known as comedones, trap a mix of bacteria, oil, and dead skin. If you’re experiencing any pain due to them, it may be a sign of an underlying disease, and it’s best to get them checked.
What causes Strawberry Legs?
If you struggle with open pores, you’re at a higher risk of getting strawberry legs. When these open comedones are exposed to air, it mixes with the inside oil, oxidizes, and turns dark. Several skin issues can cause strawberry legs. Here are some causes of strawberry legs.
- Folliculitis
Inflammation or inflection of the hair follicles is folliculitis. It happens when open hair follicles are at the risk of exposure to the air, usually due to hair removing methods such as shaving, waxing, etc. Exposure to bacteria, fungus, and yeast can also cause folliculitis. Folliculitis may also occur due to hot baths or clothes rubbing against the skin.
Once the open pores on our legs get in touch with air and dirt, they start falling into small blisters.
- Clogged Pores
Just like your face and other body parts, your legs have pores as well. Once these pores open, the oil in them mixes with the air. It forms tiny black dots that are the main sign of strawberry legs.
- Keratosis Pilaris
Also known as chicken legs, keratosis pilaris is a non-threatening genetic condition that leads to tiny red bumps on the skin. They’re formed by dead skin cells and the protein keratin from these bumps. They can occur on your thighs or upper arms. When they are on the thighs, they can resemble strawberry legs. These dots are often rough in texture. If they become itchy or painful, consult a Dermatologist in Karachi or near you through oladoc.com at your earliest.
- Ingrown Hairs
Strawberry legs often happen due to ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs are shaved hair that grows back inside your skin inside of growing out. For women, ingrown hairs are common in the legs and bikini area. Ingrown hairs turn into tiny black bumps. They can sometimes become painful if they get infected. Changing your hair removal method may make them better.
- Dry skin
Dry skin alone isn’t a problem, but it can aggravate the symptoms of strawberry legs. Using a razor on dry skin without proper moisture can cause razor burns and excessive itching. Additionally, people with dry skin are also at a higher risk of developing folliculitis leading to dark pores. Moisturizing regularly might be a good idea if you have very dry skin.
Can you prevent strawberry legs?
Many people are not aware of this term until they develop it. However, certain things can help in the early stages to eliminate the issue. A little bit of self-care can go a long way in preventing the development of strawberry legs. Moisturizing and exfoliating skin on a daily or regular basis can help. Shaving with proper shaving cream and using new razors can help in preventing many causes of strawberry legs. Moreover, changing our hair removal method may help you as well.
