For dryness of skin, in the startup phase,
sufferers usually go for home treatment with the application of oil, butter,
cucumber, lemon, honey, aloe vera juice, peppermint, etc according to their
knowledge or ancestors advice. When complaints go out of control they will
go to physicians or cosmetologists to get prescribed of ointments / oils /
lotions. All the way, every one is most interested with external
applications than with internal medicines. With topical applications,
everyone can see the resurface of complaints in due course of time or with
the stoppage of applications. Sometimes steroidal ointments may need to be
applied in continuous manner for suppressing the dryness or skin complaints.
Whether
this approach is
correct????
Here, one need to
aware that the
disappearance of the
scaly skin / itching
doesn’t mean that
the disease is
waning or getting
cured, i.e., skin
rash can be easily
made to disappear
with steroidal
external
applications which
will usually mask
the complaint very
temporarily. This
palliative type of
treatment usually
drives the disease
inner or deeper.
Also, if suppression
type of treatment is
followed for quite a
long time, then it
is not only tough to
cure the case but
also difficult to
treat or manage its
side-effects which
may endanger life,
i.e., sufferer will
be more prone for
skin cancer. Since
external treatment
can’t cure dryness
of skin, it is
better to avoid
topical medicinal
applications other
than moisturizer to
soothe the skin.
Dry Skin
Dryness of skin
is a very common
skin problem and
everyone might have
experienced it in
one or other time.
It is medically
termed as “Xeroderma”.
This annoying dry
skin may occur
temporarily as a
reaction to
environment /
irritants or in
persistent manner
with various
systemic illness or
skin complaints.
Incidences –
it is most
common with babies
and elderly peoples.
Dry skin is usually
felt more in
extremities (legs
and hands) and face
/ head.
Symptoms
– dryness
of skin usually
leads to scaling,
itching, redness,
cracks and
infection. In course
of time, skin will
turn rough and ugly.
Causes –
are
innumerous starting
from simple
dehydration.
Climatic
variation –
winter and windy
seasons can trigger
or aggravate dry
skin. Also, extreme
temperature
variation (hot /
cold) can cause
dryness of skin.
Irritants –
soaps, shampoos,
perfumes, facial
make-ups,
chlorinated water,
diapers, woolen &
tight clothing’s,
etc.
Drugs –
diuretics (which
increases urine
output) and
antihistamines (anti
allergic)
Diseases –
Vitamin A &
D deficiencies,
liver disorders,
kidney disorders,
thyroid problems,
diabetes, skin
disorders (sun
allergy, allergic
dermatitis, eczema,
psoriasis,
seborrhoea,
scleroderma) etc can
cause dryness of
skin. In addition,
It can also be
genetic where
sebaceous glands are
less or absent
Complications –
skin will
lose luster and get
infected often with
bacteria’s or
fungus.