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Winter is the Season for Dry, Itchy Skin 11/05/10

THE WINTER ITCH

Dry skin in winter is a very common skin problem when environmental humidity is low . Winter weather is extremely hard on your skin. The cold air and wind outside can leave your skin feeling chapped and dry and as soon as you turn the heater on indoors, the skin dries out even more. Dry skin can produce itching, which can interfere with sleep and other daily activities. Repeated rubbing and scratching can produce areas of thickened and rough skin which can then crack and become painful.

While there is really no way to avoid winter weather, there are some things that you can do to avoid getting dry skin in the winter.

1. MOISTURISE - DRY SKIN IS THIRSTY SKIN.

Deep moisturisers play a pivotal role in any management/treatment plan for all dry skin conditions. Understanding the skin barrier and how to protect it, is a major step forward in controlling dry skin, dermatitis and eczema. Experts are encouraging dry skin sufferers to use a deep moisturiser as part of their daily skin treatment regimen to help soothe, hydrate and protect the skin barrier from breakdown.

Approximately 30 per cent of the Australian population will suffer from dry skin at some stage during their lives and more than 1.5 million Australians suffer from different degrees of eczema . Because eczema skin is very dry skin, it has a defective barrier function. It is therefore unable to retain moisture and block irritants and allergens such as dust, grass and wool fibres. This results in eczema patches which can be red, scaley, flaky, weepy and itchy. Deep moisturisers help to maintain and repair the skin barrier and can be used at the first sign of symptoms to help control dry skin and eczema.

Key features to look for when choosing a Moisturiser:

Choose a product that is fragrance-free. Fragrances can irritate the skin. If possible, test the moisturiser on a small area of skin first to ensure that it does not sting.

Moisturisers are divided into three groups - lotions, creams and ointments.

1. Lotions contain more water and fewer oils than creams, so they spread easily when applied. But overall, they are not very effective in moisturising very dry skin.

2. Creams contain a mixture of water and oils and like lotions, feel light and spread easily when applied to the skin. They also need to be reapplied often, as they do not readily penetrate very dry skin.

3. Ointments do not contain water and therefore tend to be thick and deeply moisturising. They also act as a barrier to help protect the skin from drying out. They are ideal for moisturising very dry, flaky and thickened skin. Because ointments are very thick, only a very small amount is needed per application to deeply moisturise the skin. When applying to a large area of skin, spray the skin first with a fine mist of water and then apply the ointment. The fine spray of water will help the ointment to spread over large areas of skin more easily.

2. MOISTURISE AFTER BATHING

Apply a deep moisturiser ideally after bathing or showering while your skin is still damp and while the water remains trapped in your skin to help lock in moisture.

3. MOISTURISE LIPS

Use chapstick or lip balm to moisturise and protect the lips from drying out. Cold winds and indoor heating can be very drying to the lips aswell.

4. MOISTURISE HANDS REGULARLY.

The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. That means it's harder to keep your hands moist, especially in cold, dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking. Wear winter gloves when you go outside. Wear rubber gloves when washing dishes, or if your hands are exposed to harsh chemicals.

5. DRINK LOTS OF WATER

Be sure to drink a lot of water during the winter months. This is will infuse moisture into your skin and prevent dry skin from occurring deep in your skin tissue.

6. BATHE IN LUKE WARM WATER INSTEAD OF HOT

While long showers and baths in hot water can be quite relaxing, they will also increase the loss of natural oils from the skin and worsen skin dryness. Use luke warm water instead of hot in the shower or bath to avoid drying out your skin.

7. USE A HUMIDIFIER
Central heating systems blast hot dry air throughout our homes and offices which can dry out our skin. Humidifiers produce and disperse moisture into the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out.


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Genetic Predisposition to Sensitive Skin and Atopic Eczema. 3/02/10

Genes that control the thickness of our skin and its vulnerability to chemicals in the environment play a role in the development of contact dermatitis and atopic eczema.

Sensitive skin in adults is common. Approximately 50 per cent of adults complain of a condition called sensitive skin. Sensitive skin reacts by burning, stinging or itching, following the application of products such as soaps, cosmetics, etc. The skin may become red and dry after the repeated application of these products, at which point sensitive skin is starting to overlap with irritant contact dermatitis. In individuals with sensitive skin the skin is delicate and vulnerable to develop dermatitis after repeated washing with soaps.

A large proportion of adults with sensitive skin and/or irritant contact dermatitis had atopic eczema when they were children. This suggests that there are common factors between sensitive skin, irritant contact dermatitis and atopic eczema. An individual may have atopic eczema as a child and then appear to 'grow out of it'. Later in life they may develop irritant contact dermatitis and/or sensitive skin.

Atopic eczema has mostly been thought of as an allergic disease, with the skins tendancy to produce 'allergic' antibodies. These anti-bodies are a specific reaction against particular allergens such as grasses, pets, etc.

Two forms of atopic eczema have been recognised:

1.) Extrinsic (allergic) form. Produces raised 'allergic' antibodies.

2.) Intrinsic (non-allergic) form. This form produces 'non-allergic' anti-bodies.

It had previously been thought that a majority (80%) of children with atopic eczema had the extrinsic (allergic) form and the minority (20%) had the intrinsic (non-allergic) form. However, recent scientific studies have shown that a majority (66%) of children do in fact have the intrinsic (non-allergic) form of atopic eczema.

Scientists have recently found that the primary cause of atopic eczema is the breakdown of the skin barrier. A strong skin barrier is essential to protect the body from the penetration of irritants and allergens. Atopic eczema has increased over the past 50 years from 4% in the 1940's to more than 25% today. The genes that predispose to atopic eczema have not changed over the past 60 years, but our personal environment has changed considerably. The use of soaps and washing agents has substantially increased over the past 60 years. Soaps and washing agents have been shown to cause a reduction in the thickness of the skin barrier by 40%. Soaps also breakdown the skin's natural lipids/oils which help to protect it.

Atopic eczema has a strong genetic component. If a child has one parent with atopic eczema then they have a 20% chance of developing eczema, but if both parents have/had atopic eczema the risk increases to 50%. New research has been undertaken into genes that regulated the strength of the skin barrier in children with atopic eczema. In normal skin there are low levels of proteases (enzymes that break down proteins) so the skin barrier is thick and can resist the penetration of irritants and allergens. Children with atopic eczema have higher levels of these protease (enzyme) genes, which would lead to premature breakdown of the skin barrier. Currently we can predict those at highest risk on the basis of their family history.

Emollient ointments can be used to soothe, soften, correct dryness and repair damage to the skin barrier.


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Can Probiotics Help Prevent Eczema? 5/11/09

There's a new reason for mother's to be to include probiotic foods or supplements containing the good bacteria in their diet. Researchers say pregnant women who take probiotics at the end of their pregnancies can reduce their children's risk of developing eczema.

A recent study found that giving mums with a history of allergies a select strain of probiotics during the last six weeks of pregnancy helped avoid eczema in the infants.

Researchers followed about 100 children whose Mums either took a mixture of three probiotic bacteria or a placebo before they were born. The children were also given the same treatment for a year. They found just 12% of those who were on a probiotic diet developed eczema. In addition they saw a benefit for up to two years.

Probiotics are mostly used to treat stomach and intestinal problems, like diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease. There just may be added benefits in keeping a healthy digestive system such as the control of eczema.


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Can Diet Help Eczema? 4/10/09

Although eczema is known to be a genetic disease the actual cause of the condition is yet unknown. However numerous studies and research findings do point to a correlation between food allergies and the flare-ups of the condition. Since the link between food choices and eczema is so strong it is commonly thought dietary changes can help relieve certain cases of eczema.

Food allergies are very common in a large number of people, especially those suffering from eczema. Some foods that are commonly known to cause problems for people with eczema include dairy products(especially cow's milk), wheat, yeast, nuts and fish(especially shellfish).

While you could limit or restrict altogether your consumption of these eczema trigger foods, it is best to document your reactions to each food individually in order to decide which ones are actually triggers for you. By doing so you can devise a diet that helps your eczema but still allows you to enjoy the foods you love.

The best way to unearth your particular food triggers is to document your eating habits in a journal. An eczema flare-up that is diet related would usually occur within two to twenty four hours after consuming the food. While it may take some trial and error, a food journal can be a great way to control your condition with diet.

Another way to control your eczema through diet is adopting a healthy skin eating plan. A diet rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and water will definitely help support optimal skin function. When your overall skin health is good your eczema outbreaks will naturally lessen. Consume plenty of raw fruits and vegetables. Make sure you drink plenty of water, the recommended eight glasses of water every day is a good start. Include foods such as avocados and fish oil capsules(rich in omega three fatty acids and essential for healthy skin).


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How To Manage Your Child's Eczema. 20/08/2009

1. Bathe your child in lukewarm water using a soap-free wash.
2. After bathing your child, pat the skin dry and apply a deeply moisturising cream or ointment.
3. Change laundry detergent to a hypoallergenic brand.
4. Use hypoallergenic products and avoid anything perfumed.
5. Keep your child's fingernails short to prevent their scratching from breaking the skin.
6. Dress them in 100 per cent cotton clothing to reduce sweating, which can be an irritant. After purchasing new clothing, wash them before dressing your child to make them softer and remove any tags to avoid irritating the skin.
7. Avoid wool and other coarse or rough-textured clothing or blankets.
8. Keep your child's room at an even temperature.
9. Use a humidifier in dry or heated rooms to keep the air moist.
10. If your child is allergic to dust or dust mites, use protective coverings for pillows and mattresses and wash bedclothes frequently in hot water.
11. Keep pets off beds and other furniture.
12. If night-time itching is a problem, use a cold, damp washcloth to soothe your child's skin, followed by a deep moisturiser. The itching is caused by extremely dry skin.


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