Treatments for Dry skin

Treatment of Dry skin: medical news summaries: The following medical news items are relevant to treatment of Dry skin:

• Dermatitis can cause hands to be dry, red, cracked and itchy
• Hypothyroidism frequently misdiagnosed or undiagnosed
• Thyroid disease can affect cholesterol levels

Treatments of Dry skin discussion: The most common treatment for dry skin is the use of moisturizers to reduce water loss and soothe the skin. Moisturizers come in several forms — ointments, creams, and lotions. Ointments are mixtures of water in oil, usually either lanolin or petrolatum. Creams are preparations of oil in water, which is the main ingredient. Creams must be applied more often than ointments to be most effective. Lotions contain powder crystals dissolved in water, again the main ingredient. Because of their high water content, they feel cool on the skin and don’t leave the skin feeling greasy. Although they are easy to apply and may be more pleasing than ointments and creams, lotions don’t have the same protective qualities. You may need to apply them frequently to relieve the signs and symptoms of dryness. Moisturizers should be used indefinitely to prevent recurrence of dry skin.

A humidifier can add moisture to the air. Bathing less often and using milder soaps also can help relieve dry skin. Warm water is less irritating to dry skin than hot water.¹

Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Skin Care and Aging - Age Page - Health Information: NIA

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