Coping with dry skin

What is dry skin?

Firstly, use moisturisers and oily creams to treat dry skin.

• A condition (not necessarily a disease) where the skin is red, scaly and itchy.
• It's part of the group that includes eczema.
• The problem is usually worse in autumn and winter.
• Dry skin is most common on your face, hands, arms and legs.
• As you age, dry skin becomes more likely.

What causes dry skin?

As people get older, the number of sebaceous glands that give out a type of oil in the skin are reduced, as is the skin's ability to hold moisture.

It appears both the skin's ability to hold water and how well it protects the body, depends on the amount of fat the outer layer of skin contains. This outer layer is known as the epidermis.

Genes also play a role. If relatives suffer from dry skin, you're more likely to develop the condition. In extreme cases, fish-like scaling of the skin is sometimes seen (ichthyosis).

Over-use of soap and water, a dry, warm indoor climate, excessive sunbathing and other environmental effects have a great influence on how dry the skin can become.

How can I prevent dry skin?

• There's no reason to shower more than once a day. Don't shower in very hot water.
• Avoid the over-use of soap. Use a mild soap with a skin-friendly pH value.
• Dab skin dry – don't rub.
• Apply a moisturiser, while skin is still a little damp.
• Air your home, and turn down the heating.
• Do not over-indulge in sunbathing. Excessive exposure to sun rays can cause dry skin, wrinkles and skin cancer.
• To reduce irritation, wear light clothes made of cotton.
• Sleep in smooth bedding to protect your skin from breakdown

How can I treat dry skin?

First and foremost, use moisturisers and oily creams. There is no reason to buy expensive fragrant creams.

Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend some inexpensive perfume-free creams, and they may be able to give you some samples.

Depending on how dry your skin is, it may be best to use a relatively thin moisturising lotion or cream in the summer and switch to a thicker more oily moisturising ointment in the winter.

Moisturising shower gels and bath additives that don’t strip the skin of its natural oils can be used instead of soap when washing. Again, your pharmacist can recommend products.

Dry skin is a feature of inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis and, in these cases, the doctor or the dermatologist may choose to treat the condition with a steroid cream that reduces inflammation.

Using Parafricta fabric products will protect dry skin areas and aid the rejuvenation of your skin.

Eczema

The British Association of Dermatologists describes Atopic eczema as a dry, itchy inflammation of the skin. The words eczema and dermatitis are interchangeable and mean the same thing. Atopic eczema, therefore, is the same thing as atopic dermatitis. Atopic eczema can affect any part of the skin, including the face, but the areas most commonly affected are the bends of the elbows, around the knees, and around the wrists and neck. It affects both sexes equally and usually starts in the first weeks or months of life. It is most common in children, affecting at least 10% of infants, although it can carry on into adult life or come back in the teenage or early adult years.

Atopic eczema runs in families. Atopic people have an overactive immune system and their skin easily becomes inflamed. Their skin barrier does not work well, so that their skin may become dry and prone to infection. Atopic eczema is not infectious.

Many external factors can make eczema worse. These include heat, dust, and contact with irritants such as soap or detergents. Also having a cold can make eczema flare.

The main symptom is itch. Scratching in response to this may be responsible for many of the changes seen on the skin. Itching can be bad enough to interfere with sleep.

Atopic eczema cannot be cured, but there are many ways of controlling it. Most children with atopic eczema improve as they get older (75% clear by their teens). However, many of those who have had eczema continue to have dry skin and need to avoid irritants such as soaps or bubble baths. Eczema may persist in adults it but should be controllable with the right treatment.

Parafricta in Eczema.

Most garments within the Parafricta range can be used for Atopic Eczema. Having the Parafricta material next to the skin can help to prevent over heating and excessive levels of moisture on the skin which, in turn reduces itching and scratching.

Adulte and Children comforted by Parafricta during the night will have a much better nights sleep allowing both children and parents will wake up refreshed.

Parafricta protects sensitive skin

What is sensitive skin?

A sensitive skin is a thin or a fine-textured skin. It reacts quickly to both heat and cold; therefore, it sunburns and windburns easily. It is commonly dry, delicate and prone to allergic reactions. Temperature changes, some detergents, cosmetics and alcohol (used on the skin) can all cause irritation, leaving the skin red and blotchy, with visible surface veins.

If you have this type of skin, you should keep you skin moist using creams and protect yourself in the sun. Choose products that do not contain potential allergens such as fragrance or PABA sunscreens. Wash your face with mild baby soap, rinse thoroughly and pat the skin dry with a soft towel; do not use rough towel. Never use any makeup or perfume without first trying a little of it on the inside of your wrist to see the reaction of your skin to it, for very few items of makeup agree with a sensitive skin. Every night apply home-made moisturizing cream on your face before retiring for the night.

How does Parafricta help?

Parafricta products can be used in the treatment of various forms of dermatitis, eczema and allergic skin conditions that affect different areas of the body across all age groups.

The PF Fragile Skin Protection System™

- Reduces damage to skin from shearing and friction

- Protects against pressure sores

- Safeguards fragile skin

- Prevents removal of dressings by friction

Parafricta has been shown in published clinical trials to be superior to other product ranges in protecting the integrity of a person's skin to control itching and scratching and its effectiveness has even used on children with epidermis bullosa.

Parafricta protects sensitive skin

What is sensitive skin?

A sensitive skin is a thin or a fine-textured skin. It reacts quickly to both heat and cold; therefore, it sunburns and windburns easily. It is commonly dry, delicate and prone to allergic reactions. Temperature changes, some detergents, cosmetics and alcohol (used on the skin) can all cause irritation, leaving the skin red and blotchy, with visible surface veins.

If you have this type of skin, you should keep you skin moist using creams and protect yourself in the sun. Choose products that do not contain potential allergens such as fragrance or PABA sunscreens. Wash your face with mild baby soap, rinse thoroughly and pat the skin dry with a soft towel; do not use rough towel. Never use any makeup or perfume without first trying a little of it on the inside of your wrist to see the reaction of your skin to it, for very few items of makeup agree with a sensitive skin. Every night apply home-made moisturizing cream on your face before retiring for the night.

How does Parafricta help?

Parafricta products can be used in the treatment of various forms of dermatitis, eczema and allergic skin conditions that affect different areas of the body across all age groups.

DermaSilk Therapeutic Clothing is made of knitted medical grade silk which has been stripped of its outer coating and bonded with Microbe Shield technology. It is far superior to cotton because it retains up to 30 % of its own weight in moisture without feeling damp.

DermaSilk has been shown in published clinical trials to be superior to cotton in controlling itching and scratching and its effectiveness has even been compared favourably with steroid cream.