Dry Skin Questions and Answers

Question:

I've had extremely dry lips for about 7 years now. What I mean by extremely is that my lips are ALWAYS extremely dry (although in cold weather my lips can get "beyond" extremely dry). I've heard that maybe I'm lacking vitamin B (in particular riboflavin-B2). If I start taking vitamin B2 supplements, will my dry lips go away?

Answer:

Dear Jiun, There is not a single nutrient related to dry skin or lips. However, a multiple vitamin is a good insurance as well as an extra 400 units of Vitamin E per day. You may also want to break open a vitamin E capsule and apply it directly to your lips. Hope this helps. Karen Sue Beerbower MS,RD

Question:

I have dry skin alot could it be cause of the cold weather?

Answer:

HI...Yep...it's the weather okay...I found this article on the web that should explain it to you... Dry Skin In The Bleak Mid-Winter The winter months mean more than grey skies and chilly mornings - when the central heatings switched on, skin dries out. Whats The Problem? Most working women alternate between a controlled environment which is centrally heated in winter, with short periods in an uncontrolled outdoor environment. Switching between extremes of temperature has a drying effect on skin. The winter months really give skin the big chill, as central heating dehydrates the skin and we have to face up to the wind and the cold  both of which will further dry and sensitise the skin. Why Is It Worse in Winter? Skin that is dry and sensitive does not enjoy prolonged time spent in the de-humidified atmosphere of central heating which literally strips skin of its natural moisture. The lower the humidity, the faster water escapes from your skin. Approximately 60% humidity balances with skin, lower than this and water evaporates. In winter the centrally heated atmosphere may be much lower than 60% which is why people suffer dry skin more in the winter. Whats The Solution? Healthy skin has a high water content of between l0 and 20%, if this is leached out by central heating and falls below 10% it becomes dry and dull looking. Regular, daily moisturising is essential to maintain the skins natural humidity. A good moisturiser puts water back into the skin, but what is more important is keeping it there. Tips for Healthy Skin This Winter Independent skin expert Sue Steward recommends the following tips to protect your skin from a man-made environment, helping to keep it healthy and hydrated: Place a bowl of water or damp towel on a radiator, this will put water back into the atmosphere. A towel will need re-damping two or three times a day, but notice how much water has evaporated from the bowl at the end of the day, its quite unnerving Avoid using central heating when you can - snuggle up at night with a hot water bottle instead! Apply a moisturiser while your skin is still moist from bathing or showering. This will help provide maximise hydration, by trapping moisture into the surface layers. Drink plenty of water. The body needs water to keep going and if it doesnt have enough will take it from your skins water reservoir. Six to eight glasses of water a day is the recommended amount. Help skin hold onto moisture by using a mild cleanser in the shower or bath. If you do have control over the temperature of the central heating, keep it on the low side, and definitely turn it off at night. Cool air is not as drying. Pile on a sweater or a hot water bottle if youre feeling cold. If your skin is dry or sensitive, choose a gentle, body moisturiser that is unperfumed, soap and colour free Here's the whole site....http://www.surgerydoor.co.uk/coe_db/coe/skin/detail1.asp?level1=Dry%20Skin Hope this helps... Julie Adinolfe RN AskANurse

Question:

I have very sensitive skin. In fact, I don't wear makeup because I can't find any that doesn't make my face itch or burn. What I am looking for is a moisturizer that will help reduce my dry skin and my fine wrinkles, that doesn't make me break out in acne or rashes. I have tried Neutrogena Anti-Wrinkle, Anti-Blemish, but my face turns red and burns, and breaks out in painful bumps...please help!

Answer:

You might have rosacea, which, if treated could help to decrease your sensitivity and burning sensations (usual treatments are antibiotic creams and/or oral anitbiotics. For comprehensive info on rosacea, see www.skinfo.com and click on "skintopics"- under this there is a discussion of rosacea, its causes and treatments). The two least bothersome and irritating creams for sensitive skin that I have encountered and that are also moisturizing and wrinkle-fighting are called Kinerase Cream (a plant extract) and Biohydrating Cream (made from polyhydroxy acids which are gentle to sensitive skin, unlike the stinging that often accompanies alphahydroxy acids, yet with all of the benefits). Both can be found and purchased at www.skinfo.com under "skinstore", look under moisturizers or anti-aging categories.

Question:

My nose has been peeling constantly for months now, no matter how much i put mosturizers on it, it continues to peel... should i see my doctor or what might it be?

Answer:

I think you should see a dermatologist. Skin peeling for months is unlikely to be just dry skin. It is possible that you have sun damage there that needs to be treated and the skin isn't normal enough to repair itself, so at a minimum I would have it evaluated.

Question:

I just started getting red elevated dry spots all over my stomach and back. They are small and a little itchy. I have never had anything like this before. I am using hydrocortisone cream which helps the itch, but they are not going away. What are they?

Answer:

Not sure. They could be spots of eczema, a dry skin rash in which case you could try a potent moisturizer (such as Soft and Smooth Body Lotion available at www.skinfo.com) which contains a high strength alpha-hydroxy acid to repair dry skin. There are so many other conditions this could be, however, that it would be really hard to diagnose from your description. Try a moisturizer or the one I mentioned and give the hydrocortison a little while, but if it isn't helping you will probably need a trip to the dermatologist!

Question:

hi. i'm 13 years old. i have these bumps that are shaped like little lines on my thies, on the side of my thies. I asked my mom and she said its because im growing fast and it means that my legs are going to be chubby. is that true? and if it is, is there any way i can make them disappear?

Answer:

It could be keratosis pilaris, a dry skin condition that creates little rough bumps, or even flat warts. I am not sure from your desrciption but I can assure you that these bumps have absolutely nothing to do with developing chubby legs. I would tell your mother that her comment made you feel bad about yourself. Maybe she didn't realize this. Then ask her to take you to to a dermatologist for an evaluation and treatment of the bumps.

Question:

My son now 5 yrs has severe eczema, no cream or lotion i have found yet will releive the itchy dry skin he has.. he has asthma and has been on a mega predisone 5 day treatment which has helped just a hair but still the very dry itchy skin. he has been to the dermatoligist and with no avail nothing has helped yet..any ideas or solutions, i know there is no cure for it , but if i could try something to at least sooth his skin and not burn it, any ideas would be greatly appreciated...thank you

Answer:

He needs to get to a BOard Certified Allergist it is time for specific care and besides the Allergist is the best for asthma care nowadays as well

Question:

Two weeks ago, while on a camping vacation, I developed what looked like mesquito bites around my waist, below the beltline. These bumps faded into flat red marks that eventually began to peel (a very thin layer of dry skin). Also, more of these red marks developed on the skin of my buttocks and armpits several days later. It's been two weeks and the red marks are still prominent. No marks have developed on areas of skin that receive more exposure. I have not been sexually active in at least six months. Does this sound like a skin reaction that will go away (I recently moved into a desert environment)or are these symptoms of something more serious? Thanks for any help.

Answer:

sounds like some sort of hives if they persist and do not respond to simple antihistamines, see A Board Certified Allergist

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