Contents
What is healthy skin?
Your skin is much more than an outer surface for the world to see. It protects
you from bacteria, dirt and other foreign objects and the ultraviolet rays
of the sun, and contains the nerve endings that let you know if something
is hot or cold, soft or hard, sharp or dull. Your skin also plays an important
role in regulating your body's fluids and temperature.
Below the smooth, hairy outer skin, or epidermis, that we see every
day is a thick, strong and elastic layer of tissue known as the dermis.
The dermis is richly supplied with blood vessels, sweat and oil glands,
and nerve endings.
Healthy skin is smooth, with no breaks in the surface. It is warm
(not hot or red) and neither dry and flaky nor moist and wrinkled. Healthy
skin is a mirror of a healthy body.
How to take care of your skin
NUTRITION:
To keep your skin healthy, eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty
of protein foods, fresh fruits and vegetables and liquids. If you are having
a skin problem, such as a pressure
sore or a healing surgical incision, you should increase your intake
of protein (lean meats, dairy foods and legumes), carbohydrates (breads,
cereals), vitamins A, C and E, and zinc. Extra iron may be needed if you
are anemic (see below).
CIRCULATION:
The skin is served by a large number of blood vessels, and adequate
circulation is needed to maintain skin health. You can help ensure a healthy
blood supply by considering the following suggestions:
-
Smoking -- DON'T! Nicotine in cigarettes causes blood vessels to
get small (constrict) and prevents blood, oxygen and nutrients from flowing
to the body tissues.
-
Edema, or swelling caused by fluid collecting in the tissues, usually
occurs in a part of the body that is not moved frequently and is below
the level of the heart (i.e., the feet, legs and hands). Skin over areas
of edema becomes thin and pale and injures easily because of poor circulation.
Edema can be prevented by elevating your legs and hands frequently, performing
regular Range of Motion (ROM) exercises and wearing compressive stockings.
-
Anemia (a decrease in red blood cells). Oxygen is essential for
skin health, and is carried by red blood cells. A decrease in their number
means less oxygen gets to the skin, which means that skin cells may become
unhealthy or even die. Anemia should be evaluated and treated by your health
care provider.
-
Vascular Disease, or a narrowing of the blood vessels, can be caused
by diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol. The
result is decreased blood flow to the skin. Work closely with your health
care provider to manage conditions that can lead to vascular disease and
cause skin problems.
Tips for maintaining good skin care
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Keep the skin clean and dry. Wash with soap and water daily, then rinse
and dry thoroughly.
-
Skin folds or creases (as in the groin area and underarms) need washing
more frequently -- twice a day, morning and bedtime. Rashes can easily
form in these areas because of increased moisture and warmth. Increasing
the air circulation to these areas to help prevent rashes can be accomplished
by positioning the arms and legs so the skin surfaces are separated. For
example, use the "frog" position to air the groin area. Air these areas
two times a day.
-
Rashes can be caused by tapes, soaps, fabrics or other irritants. Total
body rashes may result from food or drug allergies. Consult your health
care provider for treatment of any rashes you may have.
-
Avoid using items that may dry the skin -- for example, harsh soaps or
alcohol based products such as lotions. (A good non-drying lotion to use
is Alpha Keri.)
-
Lubricate dry skin with moisturizing creams or ointments (such as Eucerin
or Aquaphor). Use care in applying creams over bony areas, since they may
soften the skin and promote skin breakdown.
-
Soiled skin can break down easily. Urine and stool have irritants in them
and should be cleaned up immediately to prevent weakening and breakdown
of the skin surface.
-
Avoid using talc powders, as they may support yeast growth. They can also
"cake up" and keep moisture in, causing skin breakdown.
-
Calluses may form on your feet and hands. These can be removed by soaking
frequently in warm water and toweling briskly to remove dead skin. You
can use moisturizing creams to help soften calluses.
-
Finger and toe nails require special care. Soak them and rub gently with
a towel to remove dead skin and decrease the chance of hangnails forming.
Nails are easier to cut after soaking; be sure to cut them straight across
to avoid ingrown nails, and keep them short for safety.
