To prevent xeroderma (dry skin), attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors.
Behavioral risk factors
- Diet
- Malnutrition
- Malnutrition
- Fluid deficiency
- Consumption of stimulants
- Alcohol (woman: > 20 g/day; man > 30 g/day).
- Tobacco (smoking)
- Washing behavior – excessive use of:
- Soaps or shower products
- Bath additives
- Brushing or rubbing the skin (→ in older people, this washes off the already thinner sebaceous film of the skin – the skin loses even more moisture)
- Use of alcohol-containing cleansing agents
Environmental pollution – intoxications (poisonings).
- Irritants (chemicals, solvents)
- Air conditioning (dry air)
- Overheated rooms (maximum 21 ° C)
- Dry room climate → use air humidifiers
- Sun (frequent sunbathing) → sunscreen!
- Winter – cold-dry climates; dry heating air (→ reduction of sebaceous gland secretion); in addition, the following recommendations:
- Air space humidifier
- Wear gloves from < 10 °C outdoor temperature