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ALTHOUGH many experience skin dryness, only a few go out of their
way to seek help. Some may not even be aware that they have dry skin
or what is medically known as xerosis.
Studies tell us that dry skin is more common
among those who work in low-humidity environment and therefore do
not sweat a lot (pilots, flight attendants), health care people who
wash a lot and use alcohol very often, restaurant and salon workers
whose hands are in constant contact with detergents and other strong
chemicals, infants and the elderly. Research has shown that people
with fair and light-skin complexion also tend to suffer from skin
dryness more.
Xerosis is characterized by dryness, roughness
and deepening of the regular skin lines so that the skin appears
aged. As the skin dehydrates, superficial scaling with fissuring
(linear superficial cuts) and erythema (redness) develops. In severe
cases there might even be crisscross linear patterns along with more
pronounced scaling. As dehydration progresses, the skin loses its
elasticity, becomes easily traumatized leading to epidermal
breakdown. This condition makes the patient susceptible to all kinds
of skin infection, mostly bacterial in origin. As the skin barrier
continues to break down further, exposure to microbes and
environmental factors can lead to more serious skin problems.
But dry skin is not all about external
appearance, itch or plain eczema. It can be an invasive disorder
that warrants evaluation for an underlying illness. It is a
diagnosis of exclusion as it can signify the presence of end-stage
renal disease (patients usually undergoing dialysis), obstructive
hepatobiliary disorders (those with liver and gall bladder
problems), diabetes, an existing thyroid/parathyroid
disorders/Hodgkin’s disease (cancer of the lymphatic system,
common in children).
Foremost in the approach to management of
xerosis includes a thorough evaluation of a possible systemic cause.
If present, the systemic problem should be addressed first. Then
provisions on ways to retain skin moisture plus the following can be
helpful:
• Limit showers or baths
• Use lukewarm water (not too cold or too hot
as both can trigger histamine release on the skin) when taking a
bath
• Use mild, unscented soap (perfumed soaps and
some baby soaps can irritate skin and remove the skin’s natural
protective oil)
• Cotton materials for clothing is highly
recommended
Use mild, unscented soap (perfumed soaps and
some baby soaps can irritate skin and remove the skin’s natural
protective oil)
• Cotton materials for clothing is highly
recommended
• Use mild, nonperfumed detergents for laundry
• When drying skin, pat dry only, do not rub
towel against skin
• Avoid dryer sheets and fabric softeners
• Use emollients (they replace natural skin
lipids and keeps the stratum corneum hydrated)
For comments or suggestions, call 373-1558,
(0920) 564-7635, or e-mail gc_beltran@yahoo.com. You may also log on
to www.drgracebeltran.com.
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