Got Itchy, Dry Skin?
Got irritated, flaky patches that won't go away? You may suffer from eczema—along with 15 million other Americans. Calm your skin with tips from New York dermatologist Debra Jaliman, M.D.
By Mary Rose Almasi
The Basic Facts
The outermost layer of skin (the stratum corneum) is composed of cells lined with lipids, which form a protective barrier, keeping skin soft. But external factors (harsh cleansers, indoor heating, and dry, cold weather) can strip them away, allowing moisture to escape and letting in allergens (potentially irritating substances like fragrance, dust, and pet dander, to name a few). Typically, your skin just gets dry, but if you're allergy-prone, the effect is worse--flaky, irritated skin, or eczema.
What To Look For
You may have eczema if you have:
>A family history of the skin condition, asthma, or hay fever The same allergens trigger all three, so if one of your parents has asthma, you could end up with eczema instead.
>Dry, itchy, scaly patches and tiny blisters Common places include the face, scalp, hands, inside of elbows, behind the knees, and on the soles of the feet.
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READER COMMENTS
To get a little bit 'hippie' on ya'll, eczema is also caused from within. Dairy, wheat and stress can lead to eczema breakouts on the skin. A lot of the time, perscription cremes that you would get from you Doctor actually breakdown the skin, eventually leading to your skin becoming dependant on the product. I found that by doing a process of elimination, eventually I found out what was effecting me and my eczema, which turned out to be wheat, now know what to avoid in order to keep healthy, happy skin. This might not work for everyone, but i truly believe that the more natural that you can keep things, the better the results will be. It may take a wee bit longer, but it will pay off in the long run!!
— Dara
i have found that washing with a soap called Skin Milk works very well along with using their body scrub. Also I never shave my legs always wax and that has really helped more then anything, but try and find a salon or spa that uses a wax that is chemical free.
— amanda