HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR DRY SKIN

Dry skin is an uncomfortable condition marked by scaling, itching, and cracking. It can occur for a variety of reasons. You might have naturally dry skin. But even if your skin tends to be oily, you can develop dry skin from time to time.       

Dry skin is most common in your lower legs, arms, flanks- sides of the abdomen- and thighs . . It happens most often in the winter when cold air outside and heated air inside cause low humidity. Forced air furnaces make skin even drier. The skin loses moisture and may crack and peel or become irritated and inflamed. Bathing too frequently , especially with harsh soaps, may contribute to dry skin. Eczema may cause dry skin.

Causes

Dry skin (xerosis) often has an environmental cause. Certain diseases also can significantly affect your skin. Potential causes of dry skin include:

·         Weather. Skin tends to be driest in winter, when temperatures and humidity levels plummet. But the season may not matter as much if you live in desert regions.

·         Heat. Central heating, wood-burning stoves, space heaters and fireplaces all reduce humidity and dry your skin.

·         Hot baths and showers. Taking long, hot showers or baths can dry your skin. So can frequent swimming, particularly in heavily chlorinated pools.

·         Harsh soaps and detergents. Many popular soaps, detergents and shampoos strip moisture from your skin as they are formulated to remove oil.

·         Other skin conditions. People with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or psoriasis are prone to dry skin.

Symptoms

Dry skin is often temporary — you get it only in winter, for example — but it may be a lifelong condition. Signs and symptoms of dry skin depend on your age, your health, where you live, time spent outdoors and the cause of the problem. Dry skin is likely to cause one or more of the following:

·         A feeling of skin tightness, especially after showering, bathing or swimming

·         Skin that feels and looks rough

·         Itching (pruritus)

·         Slight to severe flaking, scaling or peeling

·         Fine lines or cracks

·         Gray, ashy skin

·         Redness

·         Deep cracks that may bleed

Risk factors

Anyone can develop dry skin. But you may be more likely to develop the condition if you:

·         Are in your 40s or older. The risk increases with age — more than 50 percent of older adults have dry skin.

·         Live in dry, cold or low-humidity climates.

·         Have a job that requires you to immerse your skin in water, such as nursing and hairstyling.

·         Swim frequently in chlorinated pools.

Complications

Dry skin is usually harmless. But when it's not cared for, dry skin may lead to:

·         Atopic dermatitis (eczema). If you're prone to develop this condition, excessive dryness can lead to activation of the disease, causing redness, cracking and inflammation.

·         Infections. Dry skin may crack, allowing bacteria to enter, causing infections.

These complications are most likely to occur when your skin's normal protective mechanisms are severely compromised. For example, severely dry skin can cause deep cracks or fissures, which can open and bleed, providing an avenue for invading bacteria

HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES

Homoeopathic medicines are effective for dry skin and its associated symptoms. They are safe, no side effects and cure the condition permanently .Some of the important remedies are given below.

SULPHUR 200-Sulphur is one of  the top remedies  for dry, itchy skin. Sulphur is effective for both itching and dryness of skin. Sulphur is prescribed   where the skin is excessively dry and itchy. Itching leads to scratching and itching usually worsens at night Sulphur is effective  for  a burning sensation in skin. The skin also looks very dirty and is very unhealthy. An aversion to bathing may be noticed in people needing Sulphur. This Homeopathic medicine will help to get rid of itching as well as dryness of skin.

ALUMINIA 200- Aluminia is another effective remedy for dry skin where the skin is chapped and dry tottery. There is intolerable itching when getting warm in bed. The patient scratch until it bleeds, then it becomes painful.Brittle skin on fingers.

PETROLEUM 200-Petroleum is the best medicine  to deal with dry skin occurring in winter. The main symptoms for the use of this  remedy are dry, rough and cracked skin. The skin feels harsh to touch. Petroleum, thus, is the ideal Homeopathic remedy for dry skin in winter   season and is of great help in restoring the normal texture of skin. Petroleum also gives excellent results in persons who have cracks on hands due to extremely dry skin. The skin is sensitive and rough to touch. The cracks can be deep enough to cause even bleeding.

ARSENIC ALBUM 200-Arsenic alb is prescribed for dry skin with itching , burning and swelling. The skin is dry, rough and scaly which is worse from cold and scratching. The patient have great anxiety and restlessness. There is a thirst for small quantities of water at short intervals.

BRYONIA ALB 30-Bryonia alb is effective for dry and chapped lips.  Cracks appear on lips and  Bryonia heals the chapped lips and restores them to their normal state.Another leading symptom excessive thirst for cold water in large quantites is characteristic .

SARSAPARILLA 30-Sarasaparilla is best for dry skin when dry skin with wrinkles is present. Here the  skin is dry to a great extent with a shrunken and shriveled appearance. The skin is hard and rough to touch. The skin also seems to be present in folds with wrinkles

MALANDRINUM 200-The nosode Malandrinum is effective for treatment of skin with cracks on hands and feet.  The cracks appearing in winter season respond very well to this medicine. Malandrium, thus, is the best  remedy for all the patients who have dry, cracked skin on feet and hands. Itching may also be an accompanying feature

NUX MOSCHATA 200- Nux moschata is effective for extreme dryness on mucous membrane and skin. The tongue adheres to roof of mouth but no desire for water.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT-  Keep baths or showers short. Use warm , not hot water. Use a little soap as possible. Limit its sue to face, armpits, and genitals. Dry your skin throughly but gently. Take baths or showers not often. Use bath oils and moisturizers at least daily. Thick , greasy moisturizers work best. Avoid products with alcohol. Apply just after a bath or shower, when your skin is still damp. Drink plenty of water through out the day. Apply cool compresses to itching areas