What Really Causes Strawberry Legs
Ah strawberry legs. Not quite as charming as the thought of strawberry fields. What exactly are they? Healthline states they are the small black dots on your legs that closely resemble the pitted appearance of seeds on a strawberry. And while the name may be a description of the dots on your legs, it is actually an umbrella term that could be caused by a variety of factors.
Having strawberry legs may make your face flush to the color of a strawberry, but luckily, it not is normally painful, shares Medical News Today. The condition occurs when enlarged pores or hair follicles trap dead skin, oil, and bacteria. And one of the main reasons a person will see it develop is because of improper shaving habits. We know — you've probably been meaning to pick up a new pack of razor blades for months at the store or you've been guilty of hastily running over the worst patches of hair without the protection of shaving cream. But Healthline tells us both of these mishaps could be the reason for the sudden appearance of those bumps on your legs.
Strawberry legs can be a result of improper shaving, folliculitis, or clogged pores
Another common skin disorder under the strawberry legs umbrella term is folliculitis. According to WebMD, folliculitis is caused by inflammation and infection in the hair follicles. There are two known types of cases. One can be a short-term, acute case, while the other is a more long-lasting, chronic case. If your strawberry legs are caused because of this disorder, then complications like recurrent infections and permanent hair loss due to follicle damage can occur.
A further cause of strawberry legs could also be clogged pores. Just like the rest of our body, the pores on our legs can become clogged with dead skin and bacteria, states Healthline. If this is the cause of your strawberry legs, then the simple task of exfoliating often can help reduce the visibility of the red or black dots on your legs.
And lastly, overly dry skin can be one of the contributors to strawberry legs, but not on its own. Overly dry skin paired with shaving is often the cause of razor bumps or developing folliculitis. If none of these conditions are the cause of your strawberry legs, then it could be worth checking in with your doctor to see if it could be a sign of an underlying condition such as a bacterial or fungal infection, claims Medical News Today. Not to worry! Both cases can be treated with the right medication, and the appearance of strawberry legs should disappear once the infection has been treated.