http://www.care2.com/greenliving/could-dry-skin-be-a-symptom-of-something-serious.html
Could Dry Skin Be a Symptom of Something Serious?
Q: My skin has been very dry and flakey lately. Is this indicative of anything going wrong internally?
A: It’s always hard to make a dermatological assessment without actually seeing the skin.
By far the most common cause of dry skin, especially in the winter months, is exposure to dry air. Excessive time in a hot shower can also dry out the skin. So first look at your personal environment.
Next look at your personal skin care regimen. Do you keep your skin appropriately moisturized or have you started using a different soap or lotion that could be irritating your skin?
If you don’t see a relationship between any of these things and the onset of your dry skin, then you may want to consult with a dermatologist to see if a biopsy or a scraping is necessary for diagnosis.
Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food and raise goats on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.
Got a health question for Dr. Brent? E-mail him at drbrent@care2.com.
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20 comments
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Kabin
Konteyner
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why is this inappropriate?
Yes, look out for professional advice. I went to a public hospital, where they diagnosed me with $3,500 worth of skin problems (on a $10,000 a year income). No cure was forthcoming and now I get a letter a month 'signed' Gavin Newsom, demanding 1/3 of my annual income. Eventually it went away by itself, except for the bills.
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I'm sorry my following comment is so long! just trying to help dry skin sufferers! The last line of my previous comment is ment 2 say "If ur skin doesn't get better or gets worse, see the right ppl 2 figure it out." Sumtimes treating just the skin isn't the best solution.
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Most likely dry skin isn't a cause for concern. Drink plenty of water. Avoid stress- it can wreak havoc on even healthy skin & worsen skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, & psoriasis. To help heal dry skin, use a gentle moisturizing soap/cleanser, apply lotion after you wash your hands, and apply a heavy cream at night & then sleep with gloves & old socks on your hands & feet. To protect skin avoid:
*Prolonged exposure to sun,wind, & cold air
*Tanning beds
*Harsh soaps or detergents
*Perfumed soaps, lotions, etc.
*Long and/or hot showers
*Anything you know irritates your skin
You should start to see improvements in your skin after several days. If you don't see your general care practitioner. He/she can diagnose skin ailments, run some tests, and/or refer you to a dermatologist, allergist, ect. if needed. Sometimes dry skin is just that, dry skin. Sometimes it's caused by a skin condition. Other times, it can be a symptom of something going on inside the body. For instance I suffered from dry skin (plus dry eyes,mouth,& nose)for as long as I can remember. Then I started to feel worse and worse. Eventually I was diagnosed w/ sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own moisture producing glands, and can rarely affect major organs, such as the lungs or brain. Moral of the story? Take care of your skin& body. Dry skin usually isn't a sign of anything serious. But if your skin doesn't get better or worsens, see t
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I also found that by avoiding genetically modified foods such as Canola, SOY, Corn, and beet sugars I didn't have dry skin any more. Even organic foods contain the GM soy so avoid them and see if your skin isn't as dry.
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A few dry skin tips:
-get a shower filter
-stop using antibacterial, chemical soaps
-consume essential fatty acids at 2-3 times the amount what the package says for several months
-use only chemical-free products on your skin
-use a probiotic and or enzymes to help digestion
-if you swim, be sure to rinse off with filtered water afterwards and take some Vitamin C before and after being in a chlorinated pool
-pat dry or air dry, don't rub after showering or hand washing
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I don't think a dermatologist is going to be much help unless you find one that thinks beyond what he/she sees. My experience with Dermatologist, they give you a cream and send you on your way. When really you body is often trying to tell you something.
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I agree that looking internally at what is happening with the intestinal tract &/or lungs is the first place to start with a cure. In the meantime, relief can be brought about by exfoliating the skin and follow it up with a good, emolient oil. I love Jafra's Royal Almond Oil...it smells heavenly and feels luxurious on the skin. You can find it on my web site: www.myjafra.com/SSOUTHERTON
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The main cause of any disease are the following factores:
Constitutional factors,
Lifestyle
Work,
Exercise,
Diet,
Stressors in life
Sexual activity and unforseen events...
As soon as these are out of balance, particular symptoms will occur.
Therefore there is no one pill fix it all solution. We are all unique, different and we need to view all the symptoms and treat them accordingly. Meaning if one individual has skin problems, the additional symptoms that are in conjunction to the main symptom will provide a different diagnosis and the treatment for multiple people will end up being different.
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