It is also important to use cleanser rather than soap, shower rather than bath, and exfoliate the heels of your feet.
Entered 2024.03.11 11:44 Entered 2024.03.11 11:44 Modified 2024.03.11 11:47 Views 5,787
Soap in bar form 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 and dry skin to escape this suffering? Everyday Health, an American health information media outlet, cited a Johns Hopkins University dermatologist and emphasized that the quality of life of people suffering from chronic itching is equivalent to that of people who have experienced a stroke, and that it is recommended to use daily remedies to soothe the skin. We have summarized and introduced tips.
‘No’ to soap, short baths in the bathtub
It’s not used much these days, 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 bar form dries out the skin by attacking the stratum corneum, the top protective layer of the skin. The pH of the skin is around 4 to 5, but the average pH of soap is 9 to 10, making it highly alkaline. Strong alkaline substances attack the stratum corneum, reducing skin cell cohesion, causing loss of moisture and creating an environment favorable for bacteria to invade. For this reason, it is better to use a soft body cleanser or cleansing foam rather than soap.
However, when choosing a product, you should check whether it contains sodium lauryl sulfate. Sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, is a synthetic surfactant that is inexpensive but has good cleaning power and is commonly used in shampoos and body cleansers. However, because it is highly toxic and causes chronic skin dryness, it is especially recommended to be avoided by those with very dry skin, atopic dermatitis or troubled skin, patients with seborrheic dermatitis, and infants.
When you soak in a bathtub filled with hot water, you feel like the fatigue accumulated during the day melts away like snow. However, if you suffer from dry and itchy skin, it is best to give up bathing in the bathtub and reduce the time you spend washing your body as much as possible. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that if you have dry skin, you shorten your shower time to 5 to 10 minutes, as long shower times can cause your skin to lose a lot of moisture.
The temperature of the water is also important. The hotter the water, the faster the skin dries, dead skin cells form, and wrinkles increase. If you care about your skin, it is better to wash your body with lukewarm water rather than hot water.
shaman‘Plenty of moisturizer’ after work, indoor air is ‘moist’
After showering, you need to replenish the moisture your skin has lost. 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 skin surface cells and pat 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 type rather than lotion will help retain moisture. However, if fragrance is added, the ingredients that produce the fragrance may irritate the skin, so carefully check the product label and choose a ‘unscented’ product.
Of course, maintaining appropriate indoor humidity is also important. Purchase a hygrometer to check the humidity regularly and use a humidifier to maintain the humidity in your home at 30-50%. When using a humidifier, you must pay particular attention to cleaning and maintenance. The Cleveland Clinic emphasized that to prevent bacterial growth, you should change the water every day and clean and dry the filter and water tank at least once every two to three days. As indoor temperature rises, humidity decreases and becomes drier, so use heating only to the extent necessary.
Soft clothes, hat when going out
The material of the clothes that cover the skin and the sunlight that falls on the skin when going out can also cause skin dryness. It is best to wear soft cotton clothes that 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 laundry detergent or fabric softener may remain on clothes, it is helpful for skin health to use fragrance-free products with as little irritation as possible and rinse several times.
Sunlight produces vitamin D and improves mood, but it is quite irritating to the skin. In particular, skin that is frequently exposed to sunlight may have a weakened stratum corneum, causing dry skin and severe itching. Accordingly, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that if you are frequently exposed to sunlight, seek shade as much as possible and protect your skin with a hat, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, clothing with UV protection, sunglasses, and sunscreen. In particular, avoid going out in the middle of the day (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.) when ultraviolet rays are the strongest. Choose a sunscreen with SF30 or higher and be careful to reapply it according to the label instructions.
Nutritious plant-based diet, smoking cessation and good sleep
Vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds, and nuts that 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 help improve itchy, dry skin and inflammation.
Quitting smoking is also important. Nicotine can cause skin dryness by constricting blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the skin. Additionally, it accelerates skin aging, causing problems such as premature wrinkles, puffiness under the eyes, and uneven skin color.
Sufficient sleep is also a way to maintain skin health. If you lack sleep, cortisol, called the stress hormone, is secreted, causing skin inflammation and recurrence of acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Some say that sweating is not good for eczema patients, but experts say that exercise improves immunity and allows for a good night’s sleep, which is actually helpful for the skin.
If you leave dead skin cells on your heels unattended, the risk of infection increases, so it is 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 put effort into taking care of 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 itchiness may be symptoms of severe eczema or psoriasis, so if there is no improvement with daily care and effort, you should visit a dermatologist and receive treatment from a specialist. If you have trouble sleeping at night due to dryness and itchiness, if you get a wound or infection while scratching, or if you have a large area of skin with dead skin cells or abnormalities, it is a good idea to visit a hospital.
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2024-03-12 07:46:36
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