Treatment of dehydrated skin: Medical: Xerosis cutis
General therapy
The treatment of dry skin aims to restore the skin’s normal moisture level. It is therefore necessary either to hydrate the skin or to prevent the excessive loss of moisture. This can be done by means of various measures, the indication of which depends on the cause of the dry skin.
Cold showers are used to prevent dry skin from becoming even worse, but can also be seen as a direct therapy, as cold water can significantly reduce itching. Another therapy option can be carried out with various household remedies. or The right skin care for menAfter showering or bathing it is generally advisable to apply lotion, but for people with dry skin this recommendation applies all the more.
Creams containing active ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, almond oil or jojoba oil are particularly beneficial for the skin. Detergents used for dry skin should be as mild as possible, i.e. they should not contain irritating substances such as alcohol or perfume. For face creams it is recommended to choose between a day cream and a night cream.
Both should contain the vitamins A and E and ideally the night cream should be slightly more greasy than the one used during the day. Medicinal oil baths can also provide relief for dry skin. Oils that should be used here because they have a high fat content include olive, soybean and sunflower oil.
Some essential oils are also sometimes added, such as lavender, balm or sandalwood oil. Some people also swear by certain herbs against skin dryness, such as aloe, burdock or linseed. If the skin is extremely dry or already has cornifications, creams that are completely water-free and contain a lot of fat can be used, for example Vaseline.
If nothing seems to help, a doctor or pharmacist can be consulted who knows more about the skin and can give individual care tips. One option that conventional medicine still offers for treatment is urea, for example. This is a normal component of our skin and ensures that moisture remains bound to it and cannot dry out.
In the case of diseases such as neurodermatitis, the epidermis has a proven significantly lower urea content than that of a healthy person. However, if there is an acute inflammation of the skin, urea-containing products should not be used, as they can irritate the skin and the affected area will burn. If the dry skin is the concomitant symptom of another underlying disease, for example neurodermatitis or psoriasis, then the primary focus should be on treating it specifically in order to get rid of the dry skin permanently.
In the therapy of dry skin, there is a great need for well-known household remedies that rebuild irritated and brittle skin and provide adequate care. Conventional carrot juice can be used well as cleansing water. It not only provides moisture, but also supplies the affected skin with many nutrients and vitamins that strengthen the skin and make it soft again.
Also popular are baths with milk or olive oil. They strengthen the skin structure and have a soothing effect on the irritated skin surface. Due to their high fat content, they return additional lipids to the skin, which can be used to restore the damaged fat protective film on the skin surface.
Quark or yoghurt wrappers are often used to moisturize damaged skin. They provide the skin with important nutrients and also have a caring and calming effect on the affected areas. In order to effectively prevent the skin from drying out, care should be taken to ensure that sufficient moisture is absorbed.
Two liters of water or tea per day are sufficient. Further care for irritated and dry skin can be achieved with aloe vera, chamomile or honey. These products can be applied to the damaged areas. They soothe skin irritations and have a soothing and caring effect. They also reduce severe itching.
