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Effective Tips for Soothing Dry and Itchy Skin

It’s also important to use a cleanser instead of soap, shower instead of bath, and exfoliate the heels of your feet.

Posted on 03.11.2024 at 11.44am Posted on 03.11.2024 at 11.44am Modified on 03.11.2024 at 11.47am Views 14

Soap in the form of bar soap dries out the skin by attacking the stratum corneum, the top protective layer of the skin. [사진=게티이미지뱅크]There are cases where the skin keeps getting dry and even itchy, which can be uncomfortable. How should I soothe my sensitive, dry skin to escape this suffering? Everyday Health, an American health information organisation, quoted a dermatologist from Johns Hopkins University and underlined that the quality of life of people who suffer from chronic itching is equivalent to that of people who have had a stroke and that it is advisable to use daily remedies to soothe the skin We have summarized and introduced some tips.

No to soap, to short baths in the bathtub

It’s not used much nowadays, but if there’s someone who insists on washing their face and body with soap, it’s a good idea to put the soap down. Soap in the form of bar soap dries out the skin by attacking the stratum corneum, the top protective layer of the skin. The pH of the skin is between 4 and 5, but the average pH of soap is between 9 and 10, making it highly alkaline. Strong alkaline substances attack the stratum corneum, reducing the skin’s cellular cohesion, causing moisture loss and creating an environment conducive to the invasion of bacteria. For this reason it is better to use a soft body wash or cleansing foam rather than soap.

However, when choosing a product, you need to check whether it contains sodium lauryl sulfate. Sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, is a cheap synthetic surfactant with good cleaning power and is commonly used in shampoos and body washes. However, since it is highly toxic and causes chronic dryness of the skin, it is especially recommended to avoid it for those with very dry skin, atopic dermatitis or problematic skin, patients with seborrheic dermatitis and newborns.

When you immerse yourself in a tub full of hot water, you have the sensation that the tiredness accumulated during the day melts like snow. However, if you suffer from dry and itchy skin, it is better to give up bathing in the bathtub and reduce the time spent washing your body as much as possible. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that if you have dry skin, reduce your shower time to 5-10 minutes, as long shower times can cause your skin to lose a lot of moisture.

Water temperature is also important. The hotter the water, the faster the skin dries, dead cells form and wrinkles increase. If you care about your skin, it is better to wash your body with warm water rather than hot water.

shaman“Lots of moisturizer” after work, indoor air is “humid”

After showering you need to replenish the moisture lost from your skin. Apply a generous amount of moisturizer, such as body lotion or cream. Apply moisturizer as soon as possible after showering to trap moisture in the surface skin cells and dry your wet body. If you apply moisturizer long after showering, your skin will become dry and irritated, which is not good. If your skin is extremely dry, using a cream instead of a lotion will help lock in moisture. However, if a fragrance is added, the ingredients that produce the fragrance may irritate the skin, so check the product label carefully and choose an “unscented” product.

Of course, maintaining adequate indoor humidity is also important. Purchase a hygrometer to check humidity regularly, and use a humidifier to keep the humidity in your home at 30-50%. When using a humidifier you need to pay special attention to cleaning and maintenance. The Cleveland Clinic emphasized that to prevent bacterial growth you need to change the water every day and clean and dry the filter and water tank at least once every two to three days. As the indoor temperature increases, the humidity decreases and it becomes drier, so only use heating to the extent necessary.

Soft clothes, hat for going out

The material of clothing that covers your skin and the sunlight that hits your skin when you go outside can also cause dry skin. It is best to wear soft cotton clothes, which absorb sweat well and are less irritating to the skin. Some fabrics, such as wool, can cause severe itching and increase skin irritation, so careful care is required. Since detergent or fabric softener can remain on clothes, it is beneficial for skin health to use fragrance-free products that cause as little irritation as possible and to rinse several times.

Sunlight produces vitamin D and improves mood, but it is quite irritating to the skin. In particular, skin frequently exposed to sunlight may have a weakened stratum corneum, causing dry skin and severe itching. As a result, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that if you frequently expose yourself to sunlight, you seek shade as much as possible and protect your skin with a hat, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, or protective clothing. UV, sunglasses and sunscreen. . In particular, avoid going out during the central hours of the day (between 10am and 4pm), when ultraviolet rays are strongest, choose a sunscreen with SF30 or higher and be careful to reapply it according to the instructions on the label.

Nutritious plant-based diet, smoking cessation and good sleep

Vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds and nuts which are said to be good for your health, are also good for your skin. According to the Cleveland Clinic, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables not only protect your skin from sun damage, but also boost immunity and reduce inflammation. Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids also helps improve itching, dry skin and inflammation.

It is also important to stop smoking. Nicotine can cause dry skin by narrowing blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the skin. It also accelerates skin aging, causing problems such as premature wrinkles, puffiness under the eyes and uneven skin color.

Getting enough sleep is also a way to maintain skin health. If you don’t sleep, cortisol, called the stress hormone, is secreted, causing skin inflammation and recurrences of acne, psoriasis and eczema. Some say sweating is not good for eczema patients, but experts say exercise improves immunity and allows for a good night’s sleep, which is actually good for the skin.

If you leave dead skin cells on your heels unattended, the risk of infection increases, so it’s best to keep your skin hydrated with a moisturizer. [사진=게티이미지뱅크]Take care of dead skin cells on your feet. If symptoms are severe, go to the hospital.

It’s a good idea to make an effort to take care of the dead skin cells on your feet, which are one of the areas that dry out easily, especially on your heels. According to the Mayo Clinic, if skin cracks caused by dry heels are left untreated, the cracks will worsen and eventually increase the chance of infection. Removing dead skin cells by soaking them in water and applying a generous amount of moisturizer twice a day to keep your feet moist will help improve symptoms.

Dry skin and itching can be symptoms of severe eczema or psoriasis, so if you do not notice improvements with daily care and effort, you should visit a dermatologist and receive treatment from a specialist. If you have difficulty sleeping at night due to dryness and itching, if you get a sore or infection from scratching, or if you have a large area of ​​skin with dead cells or abnormalities, it is a good idea to visit a hospital .

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