The moment you develop cracks on your skin, you really have to do something immediately. It is not a simple case of dryness on your skin. In fact, skin dryness is only considered as a cause for this condition. When left untreated, it may lead to more serious skin diseases. Having cracked skin is, therefore, no joke at all.
Among leading causes of cracked skin is eczema and dryness of the skin. Eczema is a very serious form of dermatitis. It actually involves the inflammation of the epidermis. Among common symptoms are dryness, skin rashes, swelling, redness, itchiness, flaking and blistering, among others.
What causes skin dryness
Dryness of the skin occurs when there is substantial loss of skin moisture. As we advance in age, the water holding capacity of the skin tissues become diminished. It may be due to hormonal imbalances, insufficient intake of water and other fluids, smoking, too much caffeine and overexposure to direct sun rays. These inherent and environmental factors contribute to the massive loss of water on the skin layers, resulting the skin peeling, flaking and extreme dryness. A very effective way of treating this is the use of gentle and moisture rich skin care creams and lotions. When choosing your moisturizer, make sure it consists of natural ingredients. Many known and sometimes leading brands of moisturizing creams and lotions contain harsh chemicals that pose serious harm on your delicate skin. An independent study conducted in Sweden by a consumers' association revealed that half of the tested skin care products in Europe contain cancer causing chemical compounds.
Good moisturizer
A moisturizer is effective if it is able to resist drying of the skin and capable of retaining the moisture content of the skin layer. A simple experiment will help you choose a good moisturizer. Apply a small amount of moisturizer on your skin. Wait for few minutes. If your skin feels tight, it is likely not a good moisturizer. This is because the substance easily dries out and will only exacerbate your dry skin condition.
Hygiene
Good hygiene is also equally important in maintaining clean skin. Remember that the uppermost layer of the skin is mainly made of keratin, a natural protein your body produces, and the dead skin cells. When mixed in excess, they serve as good breeding ground for harmful microorganism, such as bacteria, yeast and fungi. When this happens, the skin begins to irritate, peel and becomes flaky. In worse cases, fungal infection sets in and this could be very infectious.
Keep your toes always clean and dry. But do not over dry them. When left extra moist, they provide ideal condition for the rapid growth of yeasts and fungi. Some people develop athlete's foot because of dirty and extra moist skins found between their toes. They could be smelly, itchy and have the potential of developing into more serious skin conditions. Do not wear socks made of synthetic fibers if you have excessive sweating on your toes. You need to buy new pairs composed of cotton and other natural fibers.
Avoid using soaps and other detergents that contain harsh chemical compounds. These strip away the essential natural skin oils present. Losing them will only worsen the cracks on your skin.
Have a healthy and balanced diet with substantial amounts of fruits and green leafy vegetables. They contain micronutrients that help your body against infections. These also promote good blood circulation which promotes better nourishment to the different skin layers.
Doing something to address cracked skin means acting now. Do not wait until they get worsened. You may have limited choices soon if you do not apply effective remedies to your cracked skin.
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