In the following paragraphs, the factors which
decrease the oil layer from our skin thus predisposing us to problems related
to dry skin shall be described along with the measures for prevention and care
of dry skin.
Familial/Genetically
Determined Dry Skin
The dry
skin may run in families/genes. Such
people may have problems related to dryness round the year but get worse when exposed
to the adverse environmental conditions. If you or a close relative suffer from
asthma or nasal allergy, your skin is likely to be more sensitive & dry.
Newborn babies
In a significant proportion of newborn babies, the oil
producing glands are immature and don’t produce enough oil to meet the
requirements of the body. The result is thick scales/crusts on the scalp and
red patches on face/body. The solution is regular & frequent
(many times a day) oiling of the scalp and skin till the endogenous oil production
improves with age reaching to optimum level at puberty.
Use of bubble baths
In babies bubble bath is harmful and results in dry
patches on back at a site with maximum contact with chemicals absorbed in the
foam layer of bath tub.
Old Age
Oil production in the skin decreases in old age. In
women the skin gets dry sooner, around menopause but in most men with normal
skin, significant dryness is apparent around 60 years of age.
Environment/weather
Cold, dry, windy weather conditions as during winters
and high altitudes aggravate dryness of the skin. Direct air from the air conditioners/heaters
has the same effect. Heating in the homes, absorbs moisture from the room air
and causes loss of water from the skin. A general rule is to keep the room
temperature between 68F to 75 F and maintain humidity levels between 40-50% by
using artificial humidifier. Most people show up the effects of dry skin in
winters. In summers, when the sweat dries out, it leaves behind sweat chemicals
on the skin. This has an irritating and drying effect on the skin. Sitting in
the sun for prolonged hours dries out the skin as well.
Exposed Body Parts
The hands, feet, legs and arms are the most vulnerable
parts of the body to suffer from dry skin problems because normally, the skin
on these areas has least amount of oil & is subjected to repeated washing
and adverse environmental conditions. These parts need more frequent use of
moisturizers.
Too much cleanliness is counterproductive
Frequent washing/showering or bathing, especially if you like your
showers hot and your baths long, breaks down the oil barriers in your skin. So
does frequent swimming, particularly in heavily chlorinated pools.
Skin Rubbing and Scratching
Repeatedly scratching or rubbing of a body part brings
more itching and scratching leading to never ending itch scratch cycle most of
the times at subconscious level. The area being repeatedly scratched becomes
rough, thick, fissured and may bleed. Such problems happen on easily accessible
body parts like legs, hands, arms and neck.
Use of anti Septic / anti Bacterial Soaps
The much advertised antiseptic soaps/antibacterial
soaps/anti germ soaps are most damaging to the skin & should not be used
unless prescribed by a skin specialist. In fact, normal skin does
not require any antiseptic soap. Perfumed soaps and the ones containing lauryl
sulphate are also harmful to the skin. Adding antiseptic lotions to the
bathing water or directly applying such stuff on skin should be avoided.
Use of Harsh Detergents
Harsh detergents like washing powders, surf, hard soaps
for washing clothes should not be applied on the skin. Contact of such agents
with the hands especially in housewives results in dryness, itching, chapping
and cracking of the skin of the hands. The cuticle of the nails gets
damaged and the strong chemicals of the detergents get trapped under the nail
fold resulting in pain and swelling of the nail folds. Once the cuticle is
damaged, it will take many months for repair that too if further damage from
detergents is completely avoided. In addition to above it is necessary to take safetyprecautions against skin dryness.