dry skin. Nutritional problem?

whitecapwendy

I am hoping that as we get to the end of winter the problem will correct itself, but I am finding that my skin, and especially the tips of my fingers are really really dry and crack ing. Anyone have that problem? Is there something I am lacking nutritionally that may be causing the problem?

whitecapwendy

bump

skinnydreams19

Me, too! I don't know why - I know that it wasn't like this when I ate more fat, so that could be it... but I'd rather not be super fat with dry skin than be fat with nice skin

LavenderBouquet

If you live in a really dry climate, like I do, there's not much you can do besides moisturize unfortunately.

AbsoluteNG

Worse case scenario is low potassium, which is dangerous. If you're eating I doubt that's the case though.

Jille0

Have you tried taking fish oil? You could also use coconut or almond oil to moisturized your skin. I have had good look with this!

GypsySoul_74

i struggle with dry skin all the time and notice that it gets worse if i don't maintain a sufficient dietary fat intake. so that could definitely be part of the problem. i've also heard that dry skin can be a sign of vitamin A or E deficiency--or, of course, of poor hydration.

seena511

Me, too! I don't know why - I know that it wasn't like this when I ate more fat, so that could be it... but I'd rather not be super fat with dry skin than be fat with nice skin

fat does not make you fat.

you need fat to support your bodily functions.

OP, i would suggest applying a think lotion to your hands right before bed and wearing cotton gloves. works miracles.

DianaJaneD

I found that when I started including enough olive oil in my diet, my skin improved greatly. Softer and not as dry.

kcallas88

i have the same problem. my legs itch and is constantly dry. The skin on and around my fingers constantly cracks and once again is constantly dry.

After numerous doctors, i've come to the conclusion that its due to winter. I moisturize and try not to itch when it itches and it helps it. I also put on baby oil right before i get out of the shower and try to reduce the heat of my showers, whcih tends to irritate it even more.

whitecapwendy

thanks everyone.

mtfr810

Not enough water?

Contrarian

Vaseline Intensive Care.

zyxst

I have it, but mine's eczema. It usually clears up in the summer/fall when I'm outside in the sun (vitamin D, yo). In the winter/spring, I lotion up with cocoa butter after a shower and that mostly keeps it at bay, though it still itches like mad. My left middle finger is bad and I slather it with vaseline and try not to touch things for a few hours.

skinnydreams19

Me, too! I don't know why - I know that it wasn't like this when I ate more fat, so that could be it... but I'd rather not be super fat with dry skin than be fat with nice skin

fat does not make you fat.

you need fat to support your bodily functions.

OP, i would suggest applying a think lotion to your hands right before bed and wearing cotton gloves. works miracles.

I know that fat doesn't make you fat and I still eat fat - but now around the MFP guidelines, which is considerably less than the (way too much) fat I was eating before!

ladytinkerbell99

bump

Yellerie

Have you tried taking fish oil? You could also use coconut or almond oil to moisturized your skin. I have had good look with this!

This is what my Dr. recommended for my dry sking Omega - 3 fish oil & my husbands psoriasis & dry skin clear up with coconut oil.

Nicki_101

try supplementing with a b complex , especially b6

sun_ny

Eat water rich foods like melon and cucumber and use a good hand cream. If your weather is really cold though that could be the issue

whitecapwendy

Not enough water?

I drink plenty of water (usually between 80-120 oz a day)

1two3four

Almond oil works great for dry cracked finger tips.

If they're painful I suggest Neosporin + Pain.

And when they're healed agree with the previous poster that said hand cream and cotton gloves. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive (it doesn't even have to be hand cream, lotion works) just whatever your skin tolerates.

If you've got to constantly wash your hands I also recommend Germ-X hand sanitizer whenever you can avoid washing. (Of course after the cracks have healed!)

whitecapwendy

okay, I now have a few things to try --vitamin B complex (the one nutrition not available to monitor) here on mfp, fish oil (I am usually low on the fat column), and lots of lotion. I know most of the cause is winter and washing my hands constantly at work, but I have never had my hands be this dry before. Since I am on this weight loss thing, I wondered if perhaps I was missing something. I appreciate all of your advice.

ajhugz

Try using lotion for dry skin every time you get out of the shower. Reapply before you go outside if you notice that your skin is dry. It could be your diet but this winter has been really dry for my skin also. When I ate like **** I had very nice skin. This winter hit and bam dry skin. It won't hurt to eat foods that are good for your skin but please try lotion. Initially you might have to put lotion on pretty often, but as your skin gets better it'll be more of a normal usage a lotion if that exists. I believe lotion is one of the keys to youthful skin.

ajhugz

oh and try a Biotin supplement. Its great for hair, skin, and nails!

ajhugz

I have it, but mine's eczema. It usually clears up in the summer/fall when I'm outside in the sun (vitamin D, yo). In the winter/spring, I lotion up with cocoa butter after a shower and that mostly keeps it at bay, though it still itches like mad. My left middle finger is bad and I slather it with vaseline and try not to touch things for a few hours.

Have you trued Eucerin lotion? I had a friend in high school with really bad exzema and she said it worked best for her.

ajhugz

ok last thing i swear lol... Try to take luke warm showers/baths or cold if you can stand it. Hot water will make your dry skin problem worse or last longer than it has to.

sally_jeffswife

I always go to the health food store and find a oil I like like Cedar Oil and Rose Water or like Patchouli Oil and something of that nature and add a few drops to my bath water. It helps your skin feel great in the winter and its less oily in the bath water and it smells great. For the kids sometimes I add a couple drops of baby oil in the bath water in the winter.

pspetralia

Happens to e every winter from washing my hands in dry weather. We also use more antibacterial products which are very drying. When I switched soap to a more gentle soap my hands got better.

whitecapwendy

I use a glycerin soap in the shower so most of my skin is fine only my hands and my cheeks (facial) are dry. I have no choice but to use a good soap at work. I do laundry for a living so I have to wash my hands when going back and forth between dirty and clean laundry (and from anything else and clean laundry) so soap and water washing are a necessity. I am going to do the lotion and gloves tonight (I have some cheap thin winter gloves somewhere). Tomorrow I will get some fish oil and vitamin B complex. I should get some calcium anyway.