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Scaly Skin - Causes and Treatment
Flaky skin - often associated with dry, itchy skin - is a condition that can be very uncomfortable, even if the health consequences are usually harmless. Scaly skin is caused, for example, by lack of care in winter with dry heating air or in connection with hormonal changeover times. In addition, diseases such as diabetes mellitus, atopic dermatitis or psoriasis can be the cause of the unpleasant skin condition.
contents
- Dander can look different
- The protective layer of the skin
- External disturbances
- Causes - Various diseases
- eczema
- Psoriasis (psoriasis)
- fungal infections
- contact dermatitis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Diabetes mellitus
- Other causes
- deficiencies
- Dry air
- Age
- Hormonal changeover times
- miscellaneous
- Home remedy for scaly skin
- Cleaning with carrot juice
- Oil bath with milk
- Quark and yogurt from the outside
- Liquid, liquid, liquid
- Aloe vera
- avocado
- bananas
- Different oils
- Oatmeal as a scrub
- honey
- prevention
- When to the doctor?
Dander can look different
Scaly skin can look different. So the dander are small or large distributed, fine or large, firmly attached to the skin or can be removed by gently stroking it. The scales also look different: small, thin, roundish, square, clover-like. or crusty.
Scaly and itchy skin can have various causes. (Image: Ольга Тернавская / fotolia.com) The protective layer of the skin
The skin is our largest organ and forms a protective layer to the outside, but also acts as a receiving organ. The skin protects us from cold, heat, pressure, friction, water and heat loss and the ingress of microorganisms.
The skin is in a constant process of renewal - skin cells die off and skin cells reform. Dander forms when this process is disrupted.
External disturbances
The skin barrier can be disturbed from the outside in their function. Dry air, too frequent bathing or showering, very calcareous water or massive temperatures (too hot or too cold) - all this can damage the skin. Thus, both summer heat and / or too long sunbathing can lead to flaky skin as well as the dry heating air in winter, cold, snow, rain and wind. If the skin is not protected with proper care and clothing, dryness, itching and / or dandruff will develop. Also, care with the wrong or too aggressive products may lead to scaly skin.
Causes - Various diseases
Various diseases can lead to flaky skin. These include atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, fungal infections, contact dermatitis, autoimmune diseases and diabetes mellitus.
eczema
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a variety of forms: redness, blisters, pustules, scabs, rhagades, dry skin and dandruff in conjunction with partial massive itching - all these skin symptoms can occur in atopic dermatitis. Frequently, infants are affected from the third month. These show dry-flaky skin, but also oozing and later crusty skin. This also affects the face and the hairy head. With increasing age, the atopic dermatitis then shows in the typical places, the large articular flexures of the knee and elbow, but also on the neck. The disease is always accompanied by severe itching. From about puberty, the disease can also affect other parts of the body.
In atopic dermatitis, the protective horny layer is not properly built, which makes the skin very vulnerable and must therefore be protected and treated with appropriate means.
Psoriasis (psoriasis)
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with a cornification disorder. The typical appearance of the skin is found in inflammatory reddened foci with shiny silvery scales. The spread of the herd varies from patient to patient. However, these always start with a small, flammable red spot, which is later covered by silvery scales. Psoriasis is particularly evident on the extensor sides of the extremities, the hairy head and the coccyx.
About one in five psoriasis suffer from the rheumatic form of psoriasis. (Image: Farina3000 / fotolia.com) fungal infections
Scaly skin is often associated with fungal infections. Tinea corporis, for example, is a fungal skin infection caused by contact with animals. The fungi can also be transmitted by contaminated objects or from person to person. Beneficial for the infection is a moist-warm environment of the skin. Likewise, a disease of diabetes mellitus, a weakened immune system or circulatory disorders are among the risk factors. In addition, people who already suffer from atopic dermatitis, but also the elderly, can more easily infect with fungi.
Those affected suffer from circular lesions of the skin with dandruff, papules or even small pustules. The fungal infection can lead to more extensive complaints, especially if the infection is deeper. This causes painful nodes, the lymph nodes swell and the patients suffer from fever and fatigue.
contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease that, as the name implies, results from contact with chemical or physical stimuli. Examples include the chemical substances used by a hairdresser or constant contact with detergents or disinfectants. Symptoms of contact dermatitis include redness, swelling, dryness, itching, tingling, crusting, blisters, and flaky skin. The skin barrier can be affected in such a way that bacteria penetrate into the inflamed areas, trigger a secondary infection and thus aggravate the clinical picture.
Autoimmune diseases
In autoimmune diseases, the body goes against itself. This means that your own immune system combats the body's own tissue. Autoimmune diseases in which flaky skin can occur are lupus erythematosus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Sjögren's syndrome.
In lupus erythematosus there are different forms. One of these is SCLE (subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus). This form is limited to the skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue. Symptoms of the disease are scaly, circular redness, which mainly occurs on the décolleté, back and on the extensor sides of the upper and lower arms. Frequently, those affected additionally suffer from muscle and joint pain.
Sjögren syndrome is also an autoimmune disease that can be associated with flaky skin. It belongs to the group of collagenoses (autoimmune disease of connective tissue). The disease mainly affects the function of the tear and salivary glands and predominantly affects women between the ages of 30 and 50 years. Sjögren syndrome also occurs in association with other autoimmune diseases, such as lupus erythematosus and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The main symptoms include dry, watery eyes, a dry mouth, difficulty in swallowing, heavy tiredness and fatigue, a dry nose, swollen salivary glands, joint and muscle pain, and possibly even dry, flaky skin.
The third autoimmune disease in the league is Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This disease is a chronic inflammation, because your own immune system against the tissue of the thyroid gland proceeds. Initially, it is characterized by symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as sweating, tremors, palpitations and weight loss. Later, the disease turns into hypothyroidism. These suffer from weight gain, freezing, listlessness, constipation, cycle disorders, dry and flaky skin. The disease affects more women than men. The affected are unfortunately getting younger and so Hashimoto's thyroiditis now affects even young girls.
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a widespread metabolic disease in which the sugar metabolism is disturbed. This has a negative effect on the entire organism. That's why early detection is very important. In diabetes, the skin is also affected and those affected tend to get fungal infections and over again bites, phlegmon and carbuncle to form. The skin becomes dry and flaky. All diabetics are generally advised to use good moisturizing skin care.
Other causes
Deficiency states, dry air, predisposition or even old age can be further causes of flaky skin.
deficiencies
Unilateral, unhealthy diets can potentially lead to flaky skin. Vitamin rich, basic and wholefood diet is recommended here to counteract deficiencies.
Dry air
Dry heating air or the air from the air conditioning, too heated rooms in which never or rarely ventilated - all this can dry out the skin and lead to dandruff. Humidifiers can help here.
Age
Increasing age affects the skin - this is quite normal. With increasing age, the skin's natural moisture decreases and the skin also becomes thinner. So this can be scaly easily. Here is a good, moisturizing care important.
Hormonal changeover times
Hormonal changeover times, such as puberty, pregnancy, lactation and climacteric factors affect the entire body - including the skin. Not infrequently, this appears more scaly in such phases.
miscellaneous
Lack of exercise, stress, lack of sleep, too much alcohol and nicotine - these too are detrimental factors for the skin barrier that can promote flaky skin.
Home remedy for scaly skin
For flaky skin does not equal the chemical lobe must be applied. Instead, the home remedies listed below can be quite successful. If certain diseases are the cause, they must of course be treated. However, the listed home remedies can still be helpful here.
Cleaning with carrot juice
Especially with flaky skin on the face should be paid to the proper care. Pure carot juice is recommended for cleaning instead of any products. This provides the skin with important substances and softens them. The juice is rinsed well after use with lukewarm water, as it can easily stain the skin.
Oil bath with milk
A soothing bath can nourish the skin and soothe dryness and dandruff. For this, 250 ml of milk are mixed with about 50 ml of good, cold-pressed olive oil, coconut oil or sesame oil and then added to the bathwater. If you do not like milk, you can also try it with a tablespoon of honey. To make the care bath special, a few lavender flowers can jump into the game. In addition, lavender has a detersive effect, which is certainly good for the irritated skin.
A scaly skin massage may include a massage with cold-pressed olive oil. (Image: Dušan Zidar / fotolia.com) Quark and yogurt from the outside
Smaller areas with flaky skin benefit from envelopes with cottage cheese or yoghurt. To do this, put some yoghurt or quark on a cotton cloth, beat it from both sides and place it with the thin side on the affected, flaky skin. There, the envelope then remains for about half an hour. To support the effect, some good oil is added to the milk product (olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil, sesame oil).
Liquid, liquid, liquid
Scaly skin needs moisture and it must come from the inside. Therefore, it is important to think of a sufficient fluid intake (at least 2 liters a day) in the form of still water and herbal tea. Ginger tea is a particularly healthy way to add fluid to the skin.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is ideal for the skin - especially if it is irritated, dry and flaky. The best is the fresh gel, directly from the plant. A leaf is cut open lengthwise, the inside scratched out, crushed a bit with the fork and then applied to the skin. If you do not have aloe plant at home, you buy a good, high-quality pure aloe vera gel. When the skin has absorbed the gel, it tenses something. If this is unpleasant, take about half an hour after applying the area with a little lukewarm water and gently dabbed the skin dry.
avocado
Avocado is a high-fat, tasty fruit that can be prepared in various ways (eg guacamole). For flaky skin, it is recommended both internally and externally - it provides the skin with vitamins and healthy fats. For smaller flaky areas, the flesh of an avocado is crushed, applied to slightly moistened skin and rinsed with water after about 20 minutes. Some more honey can be added to the pulp. Avocados should also be regularly on the menu, as the healthy fatty acids and the high content of antioxidants from the inside out of the skin do well.
bananas
Bananas are very healthy and also have an internal effect against dry, flaky skin. It is best to eat a banana several times a week, mix it into your cereal or add to your smoothie. But even from the outside, the banana can help. For this purpose, a banana is crushed with a fork and mixed with two tablespoons of natural yoghurt and a teaspoon of honey. The porridge is then placed on the skin and washed thoroughly after a quarter of an hour.
Different oils
Good, cold-pressed oils help the skin. Depending on your taste, olive oil, coconut oil, sesame oil and almond oil are recommended. The oils are applied daily, very thinly.
Oatmeal as a scrub
A gentle exfoliation removes the upper layers of the skin. The skin is then much more receptive to applied drugs and the formation of dandruff is reduced. Oatmeal is finely ground and mixed with a little oil. This then serves as a scrub. Subsequent applied care products can work much better.
honey
Honey not only tastes delicious, but also helps with brittle lips or torn corners of the mouth and has a healing effect on the skin. For dry and flaky skin, honey can help to make it more supple. For this, the sticky substance is applied directly to the skin. Let the honey take effect and rinse off the excess remainder.
Honey can be preventative and soothing. (Image: Dani Vincek / fotolia.com) prevention
To help protect yourself from flaky skin, the following is recommended: adequate hydration, regular exercise in the fresh air, home humidifier, regular relaxation, plenty of fruits and vegetables on the menu, adequate sleep, and healthy skincare with non-medicated skin care products.
When to the doctor?
If the home remedies do not help at all, the skin becomes more and more flaky or even additional symptoms, such as malaise, fatigue or the like attached, a doctor should be consulted. There may be underlying illnesses that need to be treated. (Sw)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)