Dry skin

Skin: an organ that needs water!

The role of skin is to create a barrier to prevent outside elements to penetrate the human body. It is made of three layers. Tue superficial layer is the epidermis and allows the exchange of water and oxygen in the exterior environment. Dry skin occurs when too much water evaporates from the skin or when there is not enough water in the deeper layers of the skin that feed epidermis.

If we wish to increase the humidity of our skin, a proper hydration of the body is thus necessary. Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water daily is the most recommended method to treat dry skin also called xerosis.

How to identify dry skin?

Generally, dry skin is present in specific areas: on the back of hands, the sides of the face, neck, lips, the front of the legs and the outside surface for the forearms. Dry skin tends to be readily red and lack shine. It can cause tinglings when exposed to cold and small dry falling particles are sometimes present.

What cause dry skin?

Many factors are responsible for dry skin: 

• Family history 
• Female gender 
• Age (when aging, epidermidis is thinner and contains less water) 
• Conditioned air and heating decrease the level of humidity in air. If the outside aire contains less water, the exchange of water between skin and air will stimulate skin dryness . 
• Violent dry winds 
• Excessive sun exposure 
• Some skin diseases (e.g.: eczema) 
• Some medication

Treating dry skin

At home 

• Avoid overheating or condition rooms without using a humidifier. 
• Keep a relative humidity of 30% inside the house. 
• Use rubber gloves to wash dishes.

When bathing 

• Take tepid baths, avoid hot baths. 
• Don't take more than one bath every two days. 
• Use a mild soap or a soap presenting the mention "extra moisturizing" (and non-alcaline). 
• Don't use perfumed soap or foaming bath. Favour bath oil to add to your bath water during the last five minutes of the bath. 
• After your bath, apply compresses of bath oil. 
• When you dry your skin, pat dry with a towel. Don't rub vigorously.
• Apply a moisturizing cream twice daily, once on your humid skin after the bath of shower.

Selecting clothes

• Don't wear garments made from irritating fibre such as wool.
• Wearing cotton, linen or silk is recommended.

Lifestyle 

• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. 
• Maintain a healthy diet. 
• Avoid smoking. 
• Exercise to stimulate blood flow and thewater and oxygen levels in the skin.

Selecting the appropriate dry skin product

Several products are available and help relieve dry skin. If a large portion of the body skin is dry and must be treated, a cream will be the ideal product to use. Lotions are more adequate for large hairy surfaces, but a little less effective as moisturizer. There are several excellent creams and lotions in store et your pharmacist will be able to advise you in what is better for you.

When you have a small area of very dry skin to treat, using an ointment may be appropriate. On the other hand, it is difficult to remove an ointment that has been applied on the skin. To do so, you must avoid rubbing and irritate the skin, instead, use some mineral oil. Easier, and no pain!

Many products contain perfumes and lanolin that are trigger allergies on for sensitive skin. If you have an allergenic reaction or if you develop a rash, do not hesitate to consult your pharmacist who can advise you.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient. Links to other sites are provided as a convenience to the viewer. PROXIM accepts no responsibility for the content of linked sites.