Daily Archives: May 17, 2022

OverviewWhat is dry skin?

Dry skin is skin that doesnt have enough moisture in it to keep it feeling soft and supple. People with dry skin may have rough-feeling patches that flake off or look scaly. It may or may not be itchy (pruritis). Severe dry skin may crack and bleed.

Dry skin is a common condition that affects people of all ages.

People who live in dry climates, work outside or wash their hands frequently get dry skin. Dry skin can be related to some health issues, like allergies, hormones, and diabetes.

Older people are more prone to dry skin for many reasons:

Your healthcare provider may use the medical term for dry skin: xerosis. Dry skin is often made worse during the winter because of low humidity. However, it can occur year-round. If its severe, dry skin can cause itching and rashes called dermatitis (inflammation of skin). There are several different types of dermatitis, including:

You can develop dry skin for many reasons, including:

Signs of dry skin include:

Dry skin is fairly easy to diagnose by its appearance. Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider may order tests to check for health conditions that cause dry skin, such as:

Your healthcare provider may recommend moisturizing your skin with:

Skin thats too dry may crack open and bleed. These cracks expose the body to germs that can cause infections. Rarely, dry, itchy skin can indicate a more serious health problem, such as diabetes or kidney disease.

Applying moisturizers every day can help soften dry skin. You can also try these at-home methods:

Most people can successfully treat dry skin by using a daily moisturizer and taking proactive steps like minimizing exposure to hot water and other irritants. Its a good idea to take care of dry skin for your overall health. Rough, dry skin can feel uncomfortable and look unsightly. And if your skin gets so dry skin that it cracks open, youll be more prone to infections.

You should call your healthcare provider if your skin:

If youre concerned about skin dryness, talk to your healthcare provider. You may want to ask:

Dry skin may look unattractive, and dry, itchy, flaky skin feels uncomfortable. Fortunately, dry skin causes few long-term problems. Although it is typically a chronic condition, it is very manageable. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to prevent and soothe dry skin. If other conditions, like eczema, cause dry skin, your healthcare provider can prescribe medications and offer tips to treat the problem.

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Dry Skin: Eczema, Itchy Skin, Causes, Treatments, Relief, Types

For people with eczema, the condition is more than a painful, red, or inflamed skin condition. Its a recurringdisease that is linked to an overactiveimmune system and can be It can be triggered by stress, allergic reactions, foods or other unknown factors. Sufferers not only live withuncomfortable, unsightly, and unwanted red or scaly skin patches, but the knowledge that if can return anytime, disrupting sleep and sidetracking plans.

More than 31 million Americans have some form of eczema research estimates about 20 percent of children and 5 percent of adults. It can range in severity, from very mild to severe. For some people with eczema, food can trigger inflammation, but it can also be a way to avoid it and the resulting symptoms. Following an eczema diet of foods to avoid and foods to include is a well-knownway to help keep inflammation at bay.

Eczema is an umbrella term that includes a number of inflammatory skin conditions, says Amy Kimberlain, RDN, Academy Media Spokesperson. Eczema produces very dry, itchy skin and can even lead to rashes, scaly patches, blisters, and skin infections on different parts of the body, Kimberlain explains. There are seven different types of eczema, the most common is atopic dermatitis Flare-up is the term commonly used to describe a case of worsened symptoms. When they improve or clear up, it may be referred to as a period of remission.

Eczema is not contagious, so theres no danger of catching it from someone else. The cause is not known because, like most health conditions, its quite complex. Some research suggests genetics may play a role, but the root of the condition is the bodys inflammatory response to what is known as a trigger, which is an irritant or allergen that may come from outside the body or internally. The bodys response to the trigger shows itself as a flare-up.

Triggers can be anything like the soap or shampoo you use, to laundry detergent or perfume, any environmental factors like pollen, dust mites, and even changes in the weather, as well as stress, and what some think to be part of their issues food, says Kimberlain. For some people, eczema flare-ups are triggered by allergens in certain foods, which cause the bodys immune system to react and cause inflammation.

According to research, between 20 percent and 80 percent of people with eczema also have some sort of food allergy, so its important to be checked for any food allergies, either by blood test or skin test, says Kimberlain.Foods to Avoid

When a person with eczema eats food theyre allergic to, it prompts an immune response that causes inflammation that may trigger or worsen a flare-up. Its important to work on identifying foods that are causing allergic reactions, says Libby Mills, MS, RD, LDN, FAND, National Spokesperson for the Academy ofNutrition and Dietetics.

This means reading food ingredient labels. Some food allergens are called out as such, Mills explains, but many go by different names, so youve got to do your research so you know what to look for. Dont forget to ask about ingredients and how foods are prepared when youre eating out, says Mills. Some of the most common foods and food allergens associated with eczema flare-ups include:

Any food that causes inflammation should be avoided. This doesnt have to be due to an allergy or even a sensitivity, though it can be. Inflammatory foods include those made with refined grains, refined carbs, and added sugarsmore than likely ultra-processed packaged foods.

These foods have been shown to increase the likelihood of elevatedblood sugar, which spikes inflammation. These foods may prompt inflammation, which is linked to chronic disease, in one person, but not in another, Mills explains. So it makes sense to avoid, or at least limit, how much you eat.

Eating foods that fight inflammation can help avoid eczema flare-ups or improve symptoms. A plant-based eating pattern of whole or minimally processed foods makes it simple. Kimberlain suggests a few foods shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help:

When looking to fight and manage eczema, its essential that we look at skin health, says Mills. Our skin is, after all, our largest organ, made up of hundreds of millions of cells. Skin cells create a barrier between the inside and the outside world, she says.

Along with good hydration (Mills recommends about 9 cups of water for women and 12.5 for men, allowing for the 2 cups or so that come from food.), Mills suggests foods that help protect that barrier, such as those rich in:

Aim for about 1.5 cups of fruit and 2 cups of vegetables a day, though it will vary per person, this is a good start, she says. Proteinplays an important role in wound healing, and is essential in the return from cracked, broken, and blistered skin to healthy skin.

Many people think theyre getting enough protein yet theyre not. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. Multiply your weight in pounds by 0.36 for the recommended daily grams of protein per day.

They should also focus on avoiding those that trigger it to help relieve eczema symptoms. Dietitians Kimberlain and Mills agree that it really is a simple approach that goes back to the basics: aim to eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, including whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes and beans, and cook with herbs and spices.

For more expert advice, visit The Beet's Health & Nutrition category.

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Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid If You Have Eczema - The Beet

If you have eczema, you know what its like that frustrating struggle to catch some ZZZs.

The problem is at once physical and emotional. When my eczema is flared, nighttime often fills me with anxiety, says Nicola Johnston, a digital content creator who lives in Carlisle, England, near the border of Scotland. I have experienced nights in so much pain that I cannot sleep, and Ive scratched so hard that my sheets were covered in blood. This is why Ive worked to establish a good evening routine that will allow me to have a comfortable nights sleep and get the rest that my body needs.

But that rest can be elusive when youre tormented by itching, flaky skin, raised red rashes, cuts, skin tightness, the symptoms listed by Elise Loubatieres, a London-based editor and beauty influencer. In many patients, eczema is itchiest at night, sometimes due to a lack of time for self-care earlier in the day. Natalie Findley, a holistic chef from Whistler, British Columbia, has had a similar experience. Nighttime flare-ups taught me that something wasnt working, she says. Not getting enough sleep was not doing me any good.

If you want to turn down eczema flare-ups, finding out what works best for you calls for trial and error. But it also helps to get advice from people who understand firsthand what youre going through. Here, three women whove been there offer tips on how to prepare for bed, get as comfy as possible, deal with symptoms, and reset your emotions in the morning.

When it comes to preparing for bed, Findley favors consistency. I try to keep my routine the same each night, she says. Before doing anything, she sets an intention to sleep better. From there, Findley likes to cleanse and moisturize my skin, drink some herbal tea, do some journaling, read, express gratitude, and then I am in bed by 10 p.m.

An equally firm believer in the step-by-step approach, Johnston focuses first and foremost on comfort. I start my bedtime routine by having a lukewarm bath to soothe my skin, if my skin is feeling particularly flared, she says. I then apply an emollient-based product that is going to lock in moisture and be slowly absorbed through the night. I put on lightweight satin nightwear that keeps me cool. In making up my bed, I personally prefer a silk pillow, as this is gentler on my facial eczema and doesnt absorb any product I apply to my face like a cotton material would.

Loubatieres scrupulously preps her skin and takes medication to prevent symptoms later. I have been prescribed antihistamines to help with the itching, she explains. I also make sure that I apply emollients to my skin liberally and frequently in the hour leading up to bedtime.

To Findley, the choice of bedding fabric is less important than the way its washed. I dont use any particular kind of sheets to relieve my eczema, but I use natural and clean laundry detergents. she says. Even though many regular products claim to be clean, they use a lot of harmful chemicals and ingredients in detergents that aggravate eczema and your overall health. I use detergents that are hypoallergenic and without any fragrances. My favorite laundry detergent is Tru Earth. Her bedside companion is also natural and gentle: If I need some relief, I always use calendula and comfrey-based salve, with some shea butter, to calm the itchiness and dry skin.

Johnston has an unusual trick for dealing with one of eczemas side effects a trick that involves a trip to the nail salon. A great tip I have found is having acrylic gel manicures, she notes. It means that your nail itself becomes thicker and doesnt break your skin when youre scratching in the night. This has been a great help with healing my eczema.

Aware that overheating can bring on eczema, Loubatieres takes a proactive approach. I try to stay cool using a stand-alone fan, and I also use a handheld fan to pinpoint itchy areas for some relief, she says. I ensure that my sheets and sleepwear are either 100% cotton or silk to reduce irritation. I also have eczema gloves and Cosi Care [aka safe scratchers], which are itching tools that allow you to satisfy an itch without causing damage.

Whenever she begins to feel itchy, Findley does simple breathing exercises to calm her body. I close my eyes, breathe in slowly and count to five, and hold for 2 seconds, then breathe out slowly and count to seven. Or I will just breathe in slowly until my chest and belly are full with air, hold for a few seconds, and breathe out slowly all the way. I repeat this multiple times until Im relaxed. I also imagine myself sinking into my pillow as I breathe out, and it relaxes me and my muscles until I finally fall asleep.

Johnston tries to nap during the day whenever possible. That way, in the event of a nighttime flare-up, shes not completely exhausted the next day, And the extra rest is also calming. By keeping my daytime stress levels to a minimum, she says, flare-ups become less likely.

As Loubatieres sees it, youve lost the battle when you give in to the urge to itch. At night I tend to get what I call scratch attacks, where I uncontrollably and incessantly scratch despite breaking skin and causing myself pain, she says. It feels very satisfying in the moment and provides relief from that bone-deep itching sensation. But I try to get up and distract myself in some way. If I stay in bed and dont keep my hands busy, Im more likely to indulge in a scratch. Indeed, taking up a hobby drawing, knitting, playing guitar, anything that involves using your hands can be an ideal diversion between a flare-up and the welcome moment when you feel really sleepy.

In the light of day, after successfully dealing with her nighttime flare-ups, Findley developed a fresh philosophy. I made it a habit to clean up my diet and reduce stress and anxiety with meditation, journaling, and sleep hygiene. To treat the root cause of my issue, I switched to a plant-based diet. I also cut out dairy, as its pretty inflammatory. I drink a lot of water each day. Now my eczema has cleared up! I find that fueling your body with the proper nutrients will support your immune system, therefore improving your eczema.

Johnston emphasizes the importance of knowing your true self. Often, it feels like you are your eczema, like its a defining characteristic, she says. Its important to learn that your value comes from you and not your skin. I also learned to be kind to my skin. Not looking at it with hatred and resentment, but to see my eczema as a friend that was telling me there is an imbalance somewhere that I need to put right. Its really important to listen to your body and notice your triggers.

Whatever strategies you adopt, Loubatieres says, you should treat yourself with compassion. After a scratch attack, I personally get a huge amount of guilt, she admits. I think Ive caused my skin a lot ofharm. However, I have to remind myself that its a condition that I cannot control. Skin eventually heals. Her best advice for getting a good nights sleep: Dont be so hard on yourself.

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3 Women With Eczema Describe the Ways They Combat Nighttime Flare-Ups - Verve Times

A loving mother wants, above all else, good health for her child. Imagine, then, the emotional impact of discovering that your baby has eczema, of wishing more than anything to take away the itching and irritation. And imagine the worry when a woman with eczema becomes pregnant. The what-ifs are huge.

Fortunately, there is excellent information and inspiration to help a woman in either situation. Here, two moms reveal the great lengths they went to in their determination to give their children relief and good health.

Meghan Elliott, who lives in Kankakee, Illinois, is a busy mother of two: Nora, 4, and Charlie, 1. After the shock of finding that Charlie had eczema from birth, Elliott embarked on a quest to do everything she could to help him. She researched his needs, and then made sure the health system met them.

Charlie had rough, scaly, bumpy skin, says Elliott, an operations manager for the marketing company Mayhill Moon. At first, the inflammation was mostly on his cheeks and thighs, but it later began to develop on his elbows. My sons pediatrician officially diagnosed him with moderate to severe eczema and suggested we take him to a pediatric dermatologist. Not a bad idea, but she and Charlie would have to spend months on a waiting list, which Elliott found extremely frustrating.

Thats when she set out to learn as much as possible about Charlies condition. One thing that struck her was that many children with eczema have moderate to severe food allergies. Seeing how long it took to get referred to a pediatric dermatologist, I then took it upon myself to call a pediatric allergist. Thankfully, they got him in fairly quickly, and we found out that Charlie is severely allergic to all forms of eggs and also has a lactose intolerance.

This was a watershed moment. What we do now is lather his cheeks and chin with CeraVe Healing Ointment before and after he eats so as to not irritate his skin, she says. The ointment helps act like a barrier to any food that could cause a flare-up.

Elliott carefully analyzed every aspect of Charlies routine to give him relief in a variety of ways. One thing that has helped my son is giving him a bath every night, she says. I thought this would dry him out even more, but our dermatologist said a quick 5- to 10-minute lukewarm bath after which we pat him dry and immediately lotion him up will keep all the moisture in his skin. We use CeraVe lotion, shampoo, and body wash during his bath times. We also apply CeraVe healing ointment on his cheeks throughout the day to keep moisture locked in. Charlie was also prescribed two topical ointments to use as needed as well as an oral medication to help when he gets really itchy.

To help him sleep, Elliott relies on the most gentle bedding. We use bamboo crib sheets, and they are very breathable when we use a flannel crib sheet, his cheeks are very irritated when he wakes up, she says. We also do a lot of bamboo clothing. He can wear cotton clothing, too, but we definitely stay away from any wool or polyester. Charlie is now doing well. We have a schedule of doctor follow-ups every 3 to 6 months, and he is doing so much better compared to where we were a year ago.

The emotional toll of worry and constant care is considerable, however. Parenting a child with eczema and food allergies is exhausting and frustrating, she says. Still, push for help in getting your child relief. My advice for other parents also going through this is to always be your childs advocate. They cant advocate for themselves, so it is our responsibility to do that for them.

Karen Fischer is an award-winning nutritionist and author who lives and works on Australias Gold Coast. Dedicated to helping people with eczema through her online support network, shes the owner of Skin Friend, a skin care company. Her own story and that of her daughter Ayva, now 22 is the reason she has made eczema relief her work and passion.

I have lived the pain of head-to-toe eczema, Fischer explains. I have health practitioner qualifications, but I did not truly understand eczema until I lived it.

Before becoming pregnant with Ayva, Fischer found herself dealing with the skin condition. My eczema started off as a tiny patch, she recalls. After a bout of work stress, it suddenly spread to my entire body. Every time I ate, it would spread. Some nights the itch was so bad I could not sleep. I had to constantly wash my sheets, I could not eat out with friends, I was socially isolated. No one understood, and I spent a lot of time at home crying.

Noticing the link between food and her flare-ups, Fischer took a close look at what she ate. Your skin is literally made from the foods you eat, so it made sense to change my diet, she says. Genetics play a role, but I believe that eating healthy, low-chemical foods can compensate for these genetic defects. Identifying which foods seemed to trigger her eczema and eliminating them helped Fischer get better.

Her pregnancy, fortunately, proved uneventful. I had suffered from hand dermatitis before I became pregnant, she says. With healthy eating, it soon went away, so I had a rash-free pregnancy. However, Ayva developed eczema 2 weeks after she was born. Fischer was devastated to see Ayva suffer, and the baby had difficulty sleeping, but it didnt occur to the new mom right away that she could approach her daughters skin condition the same way she had managed her own. I thought eczema was a genetic condition and there was nothing I could do, so I used topical steroids to unsuccessfully treat her eczema, she recalls.

Then, a breakthrough: A nurse caring for Ayva told me about food sensitivities, and she set me on the path that led to my daughters eczema clearing up. Nutritional biochemistry was my favorite subject at university, so I designed a diet specifically for Ayva based on the research I had read from various hospital allergy units. Ayvas skin cleared up, and we gradually expanded her diet. The right foods can make your childs body resilient.

Today both mother and daughter are happy and healthy. Eczema is a complicated skin disorder and everyone is quick to give you advice, Fischer says and then offers up some advice of her own. As she sees it, Healthy eating is the long-term, permanent solution.

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The Challenges of Parenting a Child With Eczema - Verve Times

People have flocked to honey since, like, the dawn of recorded medicine. But whats so special about manuka honey?

This honey is made from the pollen of the manuka tree found in Australia in New Zealand. The tree has a swarm of skin-nourishing properties (more on that below) that get passed along from the bee-harvested pollen to the honey.

Peep the manuka trees magical skin-nourishing properties.

Remember when everything in the beauty aisle was infused with tea tree oil? Folks stan the stuff because it fights off acne-causing bacteria. Well, manuka oil works similarly.

Research actually shows that oil from manuka trees might be more antibacterial than tea tree oil. A manuka honey mask or wash could give your skin the clean sweep of your life. Just imagine the bacteria being sucked into the honeys sticky, deadly embrace.

Bottom line: Manuka honey might be your new BFF in the fight against zits.

People with eczema will tell you just how irritating it can be to have dry, itchy skin that you must not scratch . But its tempting. So tempting.

Manuka honey to the rescue! This sweet stuff is a humectant, meaning that it moisturizes so that your skin can catch a break.

A tiny study of people with eczema found that applying manuka honey to inflamed areas led to symptom improvement. Even better? They still showed improvements a year later. We need more research to prove these findings, but its a start.

Red, swollen skin is no match for manuka! This honey has inflammatory properties to help fight inflammation from acne, eczema, and more.

In the midst of a breakout? Cash in on this sweet benefit by slapping on a manuka honey mask, turning on your favorite show, and saying goodbye to unsightly, irritated skin.

Manuka honey contains antioxidants, which squash pesky free radicals.

Free radicals arent those scary people you saw on the news, BTW. Theyre unstable atoms that can lead to premature aging and lack of elasticity.

Using manuka honey to slow free radicals could keep your skin looking fresher and younger for longer. Fewer wrinkles and age spots? Oh honey, youre just too good to us!

Manuka honey sounding wondrous enough yet? Theres more!

Aside from helping to clean fresh wounds (remember those antibac properties?), burns, or even areas affected by psoriasis, manuka honey has been known to help fade scars.

More research is needed to confirm this manuka honey benefit for skin. Keep your fingers crossed!

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Manuka Honey Benefits for Skin: Benefits, Masks, and More - Greatist

Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement that affects thousands of Irish people.

Its symptoms usually start gradually, often starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand.

Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.

READ MORE:Parkinson's disease symptoms as study identifies two early signs of condition

While there are few treatments and no cure for Parkinson's disease, several signals could indicate whether someone has the condition.

Although lack of movement and stiffness are often indicators of the illness, scientists have said that the skin can also provide signs.

The American Parkinson's Disease Association (APDA) says Seborrheic Dermatitis is "commonly found in people" with Parkinson's disease.

The condition causes "patches of scaly, red skin, and dandruff, primarily on the scalp and on the oily parts of the face such as the sides of the nose".

However, it is important to note this form of dermatitis is particularly prevalent among the general population.

The APDA says in Parkinson's patients, the condition is "thought to be caused by over-secretion of oils from the sebaceous glands in the skin.

"In much the same way that dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system cause non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's such as blood pressure dysregulation and urinary abnormalities, autonomic dysfunction of the nerves that control the oil glands of the face can cause seborrheic dermatitis".

Furthermore, a recent study found this form of dermatitis was associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's.

The HSE describes dermatitis as "a type of eczema caused by contact with something that irritates your skin or something you are allergic to."

Eczema is the name for a group of conditions that cause skin to become dry and irritated.

The HSE says: "Contact dermatitis usually improves if you avoid what is causing the problem. Treatments are also available to help ease the symptoms."

It adds: "If you can avoid the irritants or allergens that cause your symptoms, your skin will clear up."

While dermatitis is a common skin condition, for many, it can be chronic and, as a result, cause deterioration in mental health due to lowered self-esteem.

In recent years, studies have begun to look at whether this forms part of a snowballing effect and whether poor mental health can be linked to worsening dermatitis.

A review of studies related to dermatitis, eczema, and mental health has found eczema increases the risk of anxiety or depression.

Published in the journal PLOS ONE, the research was conducted by the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University in China.

Researchers discovered eczema was associated with a 64 per cent increased risk of depression and a 68 per cent increased risk of anxiety.

As to why eczema causes this increased risk of anxiety, Beth Goldstein said: "Social isolation and stigmatisation can certainly occur as many patients experience their dermatitis on areas of their bodies that are public such as the face, neck, and hands."

Goldstein added this could make "intimate relationships very difficult to navigate" given the aesthetic nature of eczema and dermatitis.

Meanwhile, Dermatologist Vivian Shi added: "It is extremely important to address the mental health component of eczema because the stress can cause flare-ups or worsen existing symptoms."

Shi said treating the mental health side of eczema was "crucial to maximise treatment benefits".

As a result, this research provides a new avenue for understanding the relationship between skin conditions and mental health.

Despite this study review, further research is required in order to identify a link between dermatitis and mental health.

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Common skin condition that could be early sign of Parkinson's disease - Irish Mirror