To prevent dry skin and cracking, apply a large layer of moisturizer to the skin every day.
You can choose one of three types:
- Ointments such as petroleum jelly are thick and retain moisture.
- They also create a barrier to protect the skin from things that can irritate it.
- Creams are also thick and less greasy than ointments.
- Sometimes they contain preservatives and other ingredients that can cause an allergic reaction if your skin is sensitive to this composition.
- Lotions do not protect the skin in the same way as ointments and creams,
- because they are lighter in composition and contain a lot of water.
- Once this water evaporates, your skin will be dry again.
If you want to try a new moisturizer, test it first. Distribute the pea-sized amount on the inside of the elbow.
Watch for reaction: whether there is a rash, redness or itching.
Whichever product you choose, use it immediately after a bath or shower to retain moisture in the skin. Also, moisturize the skin throughout the day when it is particularly sensitive and suffers from dryness. In winter, it is better to use fatty products, and in summer - creams with a degree of protection from the sun.
- Swim in warm water
Another way to prevent damage is to take a quick shower – 10 to 15 minutes. Take a shower or bath in warm water, not hot. Avoid soap: Use natural products without smell and dyes.
- Wear gloves
... whenever you cook, wash dishes or do laundry. The chemicals in cleaning products can irritate your skin. Wear cotton gloves for dry work. Use neopren gloves when your hands are in the water. Avoid latex gloves as they can cause allergic reactions.
- Use sunscreens with an SPF of at least 30
This is the most common cause of peeling of the skin. Sunburn occurs due to prolonged exposure to the harsh ultraviolet rays of the sun without proper protection. Use a cream to protect the skin, as well as wear caps or hats to protect the scalp.
- Be gentle with your skin
Do not wipe the skin with a towel after bathing. This can worsen her condition. Instead, wet the skin dry with a towel.
Internal causes of skin damage
Peeling and cracking of the skin can also be caused by a disease or some problem in the work of internal organs. Most often this is accompanied by itching of the skin.
Diseases and conditions that can cause skin damage:
- Allergies
- Avitaminosis
- Dehydration
- Dysbacteriosis
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Helminthiasis and demodicosis
- Ichthyosis
- Diabetes mellitus
- Lupus
- Psoriasis
- Pink lichen
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Secondary syphilis
- Infections, including some types of staphylococcal and fungal infections
- Disorders of the immune system
- Cancer
- Genetic disease
- Skin irritation
- Eczema
- Decreased sebaceous gland function with age
- Hormonal disorders
How to solve the internal causes of peeling and cracking of the skin
First you need to seek help and advice from a doctor. Internal causes cannot be determined independently. And even the doctor will need a detailed examination and analysis to determine the diagnosis. After its formulation, the doctor will prescribe medication to treat the disease, as well as the use of ointments that will help the skin recover. Do not self-medicate, as this can lead to deterioration of the skin and even greater skin problems.
Affordable medicines and folk methods to solve the problem
You can use various home ways to eliminate skin problems. We will talk about the most effective and popular of them:
How to get rid of peeling at home
- Coconut oil
Take a cool shower. After the skin has dried, apply the coconut oil to the skin. Lightly massage the skin for a couple of minutes. The oil helps to soothe the skin while moisturizing and nourishing it. It will also reduce itching and peeling.
- Olive oil
Lightly heat the olive oil (or use cool if burned). Apply the oil to the affected areas. Massage the skin for a couple of minutes. Do not rinse.
- Baby oil
Take a cool shower. After the skin has dried, apply the baby oil to the skin. Lightly massage the skin for a couple of minutes. Baby oil soothes the skin and is light enough in texture so that it does not cause irritation.
- Vaseline
Rinse the skin with cold water and dry with a towel. Apply petroleum jelly to affected areas. Leave to absorb, do not rinse.
- Aloe Vera
Apply aloe vera gel to the affected area of the skin. Let it soak up (about 5 minutes). After that, rinse the product with warm water.
- Glycerin
Mix 2 tablespoons of glycerin and 4 tablespoons of pure rose water. Pour the mixture into a sprayer. Spray the mixture on the affected areas of the skin. This method of treatment is suitable for dry skin, sunburn and chemical burns.
- Milk
Cool some milk so that it becomes icy very cold (but remains liquid). Soak the washcloth (not hard) in it and place it on the affected area of the skin. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse the skin with cool water.
- Vitamin E
Make holes in vitamin E capsules and squeeze out the oil. Apply this oil to the affected areas of the skin. Vitamin E is great for healing the skin. It not only soothes the skin, but also prevents its damage due to its high content of antioxidants. The oil also helps treat scars.
- Yoghurt
Yogurt is one of the most soothing ingredients you can use to treat your skin. It has a cooling effect on the skin, and also contains enzymes, minerals and acids that help in the healing of peeling of the skin.
Mix 2 tablespoons of yogurt and 2 tablespoons of honey until smooth. Apply the mixture to the affected areas of the skin and let it absorb. Then rinse with warm water.
How to get rid of crackling skin at home
- Bread mask
Take the pulp of rye bread and soak it in milk. Apply the mask to the problem skin, wrap with cellophane. After half an hour, remove the bandage.
- Masks made of oils
Use olive, peach or almond oil. Distribute the product on a cotton pad and treat the desired area of the skin.
- Potato mask
Boil 2 potatoes. Thdish them and mix with 2 tbsp. Milk. Distribute the mask on the problem skin, wrap your arm or leg with a towel. After 20 minutes, you can remove the bandage.
- Oatmeal
Cook oatmeal in milk, add 1 tbsp to it. olive oil and 1 tsp. honey. Immerse your feet or hands in a bowl or bath for 10 minutes. After that, rinse the skin with an herbal decoction and anoint it with cream.
Medication
It is very important: do not use medications without consulting a doctor. After all, you do not know exactly what caused the cracking or peeling of the skin. Only a specialist can help you figure this out and prescribe medications for skin healing:
- Healing ointments (ointments with propolis, levomekol, D-Panthenol, radevit, bepanten, vulnuzan, plantain extracts, avocado, chamomile)
- Means for the treatment of fungal lesions
- Anti-esthetic local remedies: Fenistil, Psilo Balsam, Gistan.
- Antihistamines: Terfenadine, Astemizol, Loratadine, Cetirizine
- Remedies for the treatment of psoriasis and other skin diseases
With severe peeling, drugs with dexapanthenol are used. A good cream to protect and restore the skin is Boro Plus cream.
Taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory painkiller, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, will help with peeling of inflamed skin.
Skin repair can take about a week. If the damage is associated with a particular disease, it may take longer. This, of course, in the event that you follow the doctor's recommendations and treat the disease.