Dry skin presents quite a common problem, affecting many people in the world, especially during the colder parts of the year. Many factors can lead to dry skin besides climatic conditions. Nevertheless, dry skin is not a condition which cannot be treated. Therefore, if you are interested in finding out different ways of treating your dry skin problems, we have some tips for you.
Why do people develop dry skin problems?
The dry skin people suffer from can be described as unattractive and uncomfortable, manifesting through rough, scaly patches of skin appearing most commonly on areas of the body such as the arms, hands, legs and ankles. However, the abdomen, along with one's soles of the feet and thighs can also be affected by dy skin.
As far as the reasons behind these skin problems are concerned, dry skin can be caused by many different factors. Some dry skin situations are caused by genetic factors, appearing with aging, along with some other conditions such as thyroid disease and asthma.
Alternatively, some lifestyle factors are known to contribute to the appearance of dry skin. Basically, using a harsh soap or some other strong cosmetic products can give rise to dry skin. For example, certain detergents can damage the skin on your hands if you spend a lot of time doing the washing-up, while we know that frequent handwashing, while important for infection prevention, can also lead to very rough and dry skin on the hands.
All in all, many cases of dry skin are caused by external factors. Therefore, fortunately, these problems can be dealt with through external intervention and application of certain medical products. Naturally, changing your lifestyle and being careful about the products and situations you expose your skin to, all can be means of keeping yourself safe from dry skin, preserving the softness and health of this largest organ of our body.
If you fail to take adequate preventive steps against dry skin, your problem is bound to escalate and get worse and worse, evolving into a more serious condition called dermatitis.
Thus, in order to keep your skin well protected, make sure you do not take long and hot showers. Hot water deprives our skin of its natural oils, drying out the skin. So, limit short baths and showers to 5 or 10 minutes if you are suffering from extremely dry skin.
Next, opt for soft and gentle products for cleansing or maintaining personal hygiene; products designed for dry and sensitive skin are best. These products are usually unscented and soap-free. Also, do not forget to moisturize your skin. However, do this once the skin is already moist, patting it dry after taking a shower, for example.
Speaking of moisturizers, when you go out to buy these products make sure you choose the right ones. Ceramides are recommended to be on the label list since these soothe dry skin and act as a good alternative for natural substances found inside your skin. Additionally, in order to keep your skin moist and healthy, choose products with hyaluronic acid, lanolin, mineral oil and petroleum jelly. The last three ingredients mentioned are beneficial for the skin since they promote adequate water absorbtion. Dimethicone and glycerine are also substances to opt for. Finally, after keeping your skin healthy with all of these, do not forget to apply sunscreens whenever you are planning on exposing your body to the sun.
In order to promote the health of your skin through your lifestyle, purchase an air humidifier and keep it active inside your house. Dry air leads to dry skin and air humidifiers can prevent that. Furthermore, be careful about the type of clothing you are wearing, opting for natural fibers like cotton. Drink plenty of water during the day and eat food rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Ultimately, if your skin dryness does not disappear, seek medical assistance and have the problem treated before it becomes more serious and severe.
Hydrocortisone cream for dry skin
Hydrocortisone creams can clear up your dry skin very fast, to the point where they seem a bit like a miracle product. It is no surprise that many people quickly choose this cream. Even though a vast number of people use over-the-counter Hydrocortisone medications, applying them topically or injecting them in order to keep their skin healthy, not many individuals are aware of the harmful side-effects this drug can have.
Namely, steroids, such as the Hydrocortisone are absorbed differently by different parts of the body. However, the chemical break the structure of the skin, potentially triggering allergic reactions, affecting our immune system negatively, leading to infections in some cases.
Also, Hydrocortisone creams are designed to be used on specific parts of the body and using incompatible types of these products can lead to undesired effects. While our forearm area absorbs 1% of the chemicals in Hydrocortisone creams, the armpit absorbs 4% and the face absorbs 7%.
Also, genitals and eyelids are very gentle areas of our body, since they contain mucus membranes, absorbing about 30% of the chemicals. Therefore, you are advised to be very careful once you opt for using Hydrocortisone for dry skin or any other purposes. Bear in mind that, as it was proven scientifically, more than 500g of Hydrocortisone used per week is bound to lead to serious health problems.
To sum up, Hydrocortisone can help you deal with this uncomfortable and aesthetically unappealing problem called dry skin. However, you need to be very careful about the dosage and the frequency of use. Thus, seek the medical opinion of your doctor before you use any of these products on your own, even if they are available over the counter.
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