Treating dry and itchy skin

One of the problems of aging is the fact that our skin loses its ability to retain moisture.If you live in an extremely hot or cold climate, it may only make things worse. Brisk winter winds and beating hot sun can not only remove moisture from the skin, but change the tone and color as well.Because of their exposed position on the body, the hands and feet are usually affected the most.Worst of all, the changes in skin can be subtle, and significant damage may be done, before we even think about treating it. Your skin can easily become dry, cracked, and itchy. Applying a soothing cream can be beneficial if it has healing properties. The problem is that many of the creams and lotions, which are on the market today, contain high amounts of mineral oil, which will only clog your pores, and prevent absorption of the needed nutrients into your skin. However, the good news is that there are easy steps you can take to help treat (and sometimes), even prevent dry and itchy skin-

1. It matters what goes on the inside.Diet plays an important part in keeping your skin glowing, and full of moisture.If you have a poor diet it will only accelerate the aging, and moisture loss, of your skin. Sometimes, dry and itchy skin can be a sign of a vitamin deficiency.For example: if you are deficient in Vitamin A your skin may be dry and scaling. Keep in mind that if your skin is developing dry patches, that are turning dark and scaly, your Vitamin A levels may be dangerously low. Short term, high dosages of vitamin A, can be taken to clear up these skin conditions, but should only be done under the care of your health care professional. Nutritional experts also recommend that taking several other vitamins (either in a supplement or through food); can help improve the condition of your skin.

These can include:

• Vitamin C to help improve skin elasticity.


• Vitamin B complex to improve skin tone.


• Omega-3 essential fatty acids are necessary for healthy skin. Some excellent sources are flax seed and fish oil. The best sources of fish oil are fresh salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel and trout.

There are other dietary considerations to take into account as well.You should limit the use of diuretics such as alcohol, and caffeine, and drink at least eight glasses of water each day. A well balanced diet is very important to having healthy skin.Your diet should consist of a large percentage of raw fruits and vegetables. In addition, try to eat plenty of whole grain products and avoid unhealthy fats, high sugar and processed foods.

2. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!A great place to find healthy moisturizing products is at your local health store.You will want to choose products that contain ingredients such as aloe vera, calendula, sunflower oil, and jojoba. Peppermint is also a popular ingredient in foot creams, because of its cooling, and soothing effect, and invigorating odor. In addition, some of the best ingredients for extra dry skin are avocado and olive oil. If you have more oily skin, the best oils to use are hazelnut or rose hip oil. To help your skin really absorb the cream prior to moisturizing, you can soak in warm water and bath salts. Colloidal oatmeal (a fine powder available at the health food store) is a great way to enrich your bath, because it can help prevent moisture loss from the skin, and soothes itchiness. If itchy and dry skin is a chronic problem, you will want to avoid soaps with added scents and dyes. As a final note, be sure to apply sunscreen before heading outdoors.This is true even if you live in a snowy climate.The sun is highly aging, and damaging to your skin, and sunscreen can help you protect your skin and keep it looking younger and healthier, throughout your lifetime.