Dry, cracked skin that is always red, itchy, and sometimes even bleeding is a condition many people experience, especially during cold and dry winters.
Knowing what medication to use for cracked skin is essential for everyone, especially those living in areas with complex climates characterized by extreme cold, heat, humidity, or dryness!
Why Does Skin Become Dry?
Every day, our skin requires a certain amount of water to keep its layers plump and prevent dryness. The body constantly loses moisture through the skin, and during the cold winter months, or when spending long periods in air-conditioned rooms, this loss of moisture increases significantly. As a result, the skin often becomes dry and prone to cracking, particularly in young children and the elderly, sometimes even leading to sores on the lips and mouth.
The colder the weather, the drier the skin becomes. This is due to increased water loss through the epidermis in cold conditions. Additionally, in cold weather, people tend to drink less water, often waiting until they feel thirsty, which further reduces the moisture available for the skin, making it even more susceptible to cracking.
For children, their skin lacks the protective oil layer and has lower elasticity due to the immature collagen fibers, making their ability to withstand environmental damage significantly less than that of adults.
These characteristics make children’s skin more vulnerable to weather changes, resulting in more severe cracking in children. When the skin becomes dry and cracked, the outermost layer becomes rough, wrinkled, and sometimes peels, resembling moldy skin, and in some cases, the skin appears bumpy. Some individuals may experience mild itching.
Even in cold weather, the body’s need for water remains high, so it’s essential to drink regularly.
When experiencing dryness and cracking, patients typically think of what medication to use for treatment. However, an effective method is to increase the water intake for the skin through diet.
Daily consumption of plenty of fruits and vegetables, drinking fresh fruit juices, and ensuring adequate water intake will help keep the skin hydrated. In cold weather, the body’s water needs remain high, so regular hydration is crucial.
On days with high humidity and dry weather, it is essential to drink even more water. Two to three times a day, use a damp cloth to cover the face for about two minutes to reduce dryness and tightness. Applying clean slices of cucumber, tomato, or jicama as a mask before bedtime is also beneficial. When going outside, wearing a mask can help minimize skin exposure to sunlight and pollution, which can lead to further cracking. Using Vaseline to moisturize the body and areas prone to cracking can also be helpful.
For dry and easily cracked skin, maintaining hygiene in the affected areas is very important. Gently wash the face two to three times a day with lukewarm water; avoid hot water as it can lead to further dehydration.
Avoid overusing facial cleansers and soaps, as their cleansing agents can strip away the skin’s natural oils more quickly, leading to increased dryness.
After washing the face, moisturizing products can be applied. Creams containing Vaseline, glycerin, saccharide isomerate, lanolin, and mineral oil have water-retaining structures that help keep the skin hydrated, preventing dryness and cracking. Creams with ingredients like jojoba oil, vitamin E, sunflower oil, and milk protein are often used as anti-aging and moisturizing products to combat symptoms like roughness and wrinkles. Users of cracked skin creams should be cautious; it is advisable to perform a patch test on the back of the hand for 15 minutes before applying it to the face.
Especially for young children, to treat cracking, parents should gently cleanse the child’s skin with warm water (not hot) and then apply a thin layer of Cetaphil to create a protective barrier against moisture loss or choose moisturizers specifically designed for children. It is best to avoid products with fragrances or alcohol, as they can further dry the skin and increase the risk of allergies.
Under no circumstances should topical medications containing steroids such as Trangala, Cortebios, Chlorocid H, Flucinar, Fobancort, Gentrisone, or Diprosone be applied. These medications are for treating skin conditions and are ineffective for treating cracks. Prolonged use can lead to adverse effects like acne, rough skin, and skin thinning. Some people even mistakenly use tetracycline ointment for eye treatment on cracked skin, which is incorrect as this antibiotic ointment is meant for inflammation and is not suitable for treating dry, cracked skin, especially on the face.
Additionally, alongside topical treatments, many people have opted for oral supplements to enhance skin beauty and combat dryness. The purpose of these supplements is to improve skin firmness, making it soft and smooth (ingredients derived from marine organisms or collagen); maintain moisture, prevent dehydration, and provide essential hydration to the skin (supplements containing hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and amino acids); and supply essential vitamins and nutrients for the skin (supplements with vitamins C, A, E, pantothenic acid, selenium). Most skin beauty supplements are available over the counter. Although referred to as medications, they are essentially dietary supplements with certain limitations. Ingredients like collagen, vitamins, and antioxidants, while beneficial, require appropriate dosages and methods for each individual.
Moreover, these substances must undergo absorption and metabolism, affecting various organs, not just the skin as desired. Skin beauty supplements are also a type of nutritional supplement, and excessive intake can increase toxin levels in the body. For instance, excessive vitamin A can cause hair loss, and too much vitamin C can hinder zinc absorption. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a doctor before starting any supplement and adhere to recommended dosages.
Some Tips for Caring for Dry and Cracked Skin
- Wash or bathe gently with warm or cool water; avoid hot showers as they can dry out the skin and accelerate aging;
- Use moisturizing body wash or baby wash, or consider bathing with diluted lemon juice (squeeze one lemon into 1-2 liters of water);
- Choose gentle facial cleansers designed for dry skin, or simply wash with saline solution (0.9% NaCl);
- Avoid soaps and body washes that contain high levels of lye or strong exfoliating ingredients that can exacerbate skin dryness;
- Limit bath time and avoid using excessive amounts of body wash;
- Avoid frequent bathing or washing throughout the day. Typically, in winter, bathing every 1-2 days is sufficient. Those with sensitive skin or a tendency to allergies should bathe every 2-3 days to prevent skin damage. On non-bathing days, a gentle wipe with warm water is advisable;
- Consider taking a course of vitamin E (400 units), one capsule daily for a month;
- Absolutely avoid applying any medications to prevent dryness and cracking, such as Trangala, Flucina, Gentrisone, Temproson, Diprosone, Chlorocid H, homemade creams, or unverified traditional remedies. These products often contain cortisone, and excessive application without a specialist’s prescription can lead to numerous complications;
- In terms of diet, drink plenty of water to compensate for moisture loss through the skin during winter. Cultivate the habit of drinking 1.5-2 liters of water daily. In winter diets, in addition to increasing caloric intake for warmth, include more green vegetables and fresh fruits to provide additional vitamins, especially oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and bananas.
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