Dry and Sensitive Skin Care
Dry skin isn't just rough...it can easily become inflamed, irritated & itchy, The more you scratch, the worse it gets. If you have dry skin, or eczema/atopic dermatitis, this impairs the skin's ability to heal after injury, to retain moisture, & to protect against infections.
To help maintain your skin's integrity:
- Bathe for no more than 10 minutes. Hot water dries the skin, so keep water cooler.
- Limit the lather...use only in necessary areas, such as armpits, groin, and feet. Soaps remove the skin's natural oils. Use unscented cleansers or washes. They remove dirt & body smells without stripping the skin of important surface oils. Try brands such as CeraVe, Dove, Cetaphil, Basis, Purpose, etc. Ask your pharmacist for other brands available. Don't lather all over or rub with a washcloth. Too much cleanser will make skin dryness worse & rubbing with a cloth can irritate the skin. Rinse thoroughly to remove all the cleanser.
- Pat dry...leave a bit of moisture on your skin.
- Immediately moisturize! Apply lotion or cream within 3 minutes of drying off. Reapply throughout-the day. Recommended moisturizers: CeraVe or Cetaphil. Choose one you like, so that you will use it often, Apply liberally before bedtime, too.
- To minimize the drying effects of shaving, make sure to use a lubricating shaving cream before you start. Charge blades every 1 or 2 shaves or use an electric razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows.
- Wear cotton liners under nitrile gloves when washing dishes, house cleaning that involves using cleaning solutions, etc When gardening, or doing lawn work, protect your hands with cotton work gloves. And wear an SPF #30 sunscreen!
If given a medicated steroid cream or ointment, use as directed! Apply only to affected areas. Use a moisturizer in the unaffected or mildly affected regions. Steroid side effects include: thinning of the skin, easy bruising, stretch marks, and noticeable blood vessels (telangiectasia). These are a rescue medication to be used for only a short time – emollients and proper skin care are the long term solution.
Hangnails? Keep chapstick handy & rub on cuticles several times a day.
For cracked and fissured hand and feet: before going to bed, soak hands/feet in cool to warm water for 15-20 minutes or until they are wrinkled up like a prune, which means that your skin has absorbed as much moisture as possible. Gently pat dry, leaving a bit of moisture on your skin, & rub on a thin layer of Vaseline or CeraVe Healing Ointment. Put on cotton gloves or socks to keep the emollient from getting on sheets. Do this for several weeks, or until skin is back to normal. Apply hand creams several times a day!
As soon as your skin begins to get dry again, repeat this procedure. If your hands are exposed to water frequently consider Gloves in a Bottle.