| Recommendations
for Dry Skin |
You can prevent your skin condition from flaring up or reduce the
severity of a flare-up by following the suggestions below.
- Avoid harsh
and heavily fragranced soaps like Ivory, Safeguard, Irish Spring,
Zest, and Coast. These soaps may have been fine for you in the
past, but when your skin is broken out, they are too strong. Instead,
use a mild, non-drying, unscented cleanser like Dove, Cetaphil,
or Purpose.
- Take at
most one shower or bath per day.
- Take short
showers and baths. Stay in the water just as long as it takes
you to get clean.
- Use lukewarm
water, not hot water, to bathe or shower.
- Use your
moisturizer immediately after you get out of the bath or shower.
Apply it liberally after you pat your skin dry, while your skin
is still damp. Moisturize frequently throughout the day. Cetaphil
cream or lotion is our recommendation.
- Avoid using
bubble baths.
- Do not wear
clothes made of wool or other scratchy materials.
- Wear long
sleeves and long pants in cool weather.
- Scratching
or rubbing your skin can worsen and prolong your flare. Make a
conscious effort not to scratch. Keep childrens fingernails cut
as short as possible to avoid causing breaks in the skin with
scratching.
- Anti-itch
lotions like Sarna, and those made by Eucerin, Neutrogena, and
Aveeno are available over-the-counter, and without a prescription
at most pharmacies or grocery stores. Apply one of these products
when you feel itchy to help you resist the temptation to scratch.
- You may
use an over-the counter antihistamine (anti-itch pill) if your
doctor has not prescribed a prescription one. Claritin is helpful
during the day. Benadryl may be used at night, but it may make
you drowsy.
- Use laundry
detergents that are dye-free and fragrance-free. Recommended brands
are All Free Clear, Tide Free, Purex Free and Clear, and Arm and
Hammer FabriCare Free.
- Fabric softeners
may worsen your skin as well. If you must use one, Bounce Free
is a fragrance free dryer sheet. Do not re-use dryer sheets.
- Sweating,
emotional stress, and extreme changes in your environments temperature
may also aggravate your skin. Try to avoid these things as much
as possible.
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