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6 ways to get rid of dry skin


What is a dry skin?

Dry skin or xeroderma is a common skin condition. Epidermis – the outer layer of the skin consists of fat and protein. This fat keeps our skin hydrated. For the same reason, elderly are more prone to this condition due to lack of sufficient natural oils present in their skin.

Factors that affect xeroderma
External factors - Cold temperatures, low humidity and overuse of harsh soaps and alcohol based sanitizers and cleaning agents aggravate the dry skin condition.
Internal factors - Overall health, genetics, age, personal and family history and medical conditions such as atopic dermatitis, thyroid disease etc. contribute to this condition.

How to get rid of the dryness of the skin?
Following are 6 handy tips which will help you keep your skin soft and supple –
1.      Using gloves – Best way to keep the household irritants from touching your skin is to create a barrier between them and your skin. While cleaning or scrubbing, you can use non-latex rubber gloves.
2.      Post swim care – Chlorine dissolved in the swimming pool is another known skin irritant. Taking a quick lukewarm shower (not more than 10 minutes) with moisturizing preparations or soap-free cleansers after stepping out of the swimming pool is therefore a must.
3.      Use of petroleum jelly and moisturizing creams – The household skin irritants break down the skin’s protective barrier upon contact. When you apply normal moisturizer, the constituent chemicals lead to further irritation of the skin causing skin redness, burning and itching. Petroleum jelly is gentle to the skin as it lacks the chemicals and is safe to use even on your lips. Wash your feet thoroughly before going to bed, use a good quality moisturizer or cream and cover them with a pair of socks.
4.      Using Oats – Oats contain avenanthramides – a chemical that fights redness and inflammation. Though the exact reason has been discovered recently, oats have been used to treat dry skin from ancient times. You can sprinkle ground oatmeal into the bathtub while the water is running and soak for 15 minutes minimum.
5.      Treating mites – Dust mites when come in contact with human skin cause irritated and inflamed skin. These microscopic creatures live on the skin we shed every day. To avoid the exposure, one should weekly wash the bedding in water with temperature 130 deg F (55 deg C) or more. Also, regular vacuuming of floors and carpets help to keep dust mites at bay.
6.      Alcohol-free hand sanitizers – Nowadays, using sanitizers is a common practice for preventing diseases. However, you have to be careful while selecting the type of sanitizer. Alcohol based sanitizers are not good for your skin as they tend to dry it. You can go for dermatologist recommended hydrating sanitizers which will provide necessary moisture to your skin and keep your hands smooth.

Dryness of skin can be uncomfortable and painful. However, it can be easily prevented with a little alertness as mentioned above.

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