Even with the best skin care regime, the skin can suffer from dehydration, poor tone, dryness and sensitivity. The condition of the skin is often a reflection of the internal environment of your body – what happens within eventually presents on the skin.
Skin dryness and itchiness are common issues but they could be a sign of an internal problem which needs attention. Itchy skin (pruritus) can be caused by a number of factors: either it’s simply a local skin irritation or a more pressing disorder of the nervous system. Itching sensations can be experienced as rashes, a crawling skin sensation, minor irritations, or inflammation.
One organ which may be overburdened and cause skin problems is the kidneys. Often referred to as the ‘second skin’, the kidneys are often implicated when skin afflictions arise. It is highly beneficial to support kidney function for the effective elimination of waste materials from the body. This, in turn, helps to alkalise the blood, reduce inflammation and clean up circulation.
There are many reasons for poor skin quality. These include:
By improving general health and addressing any underlying health problems, the appearance of the skin will also gradually improve. However, it’s a slow process but well worth the effort.
The condition of your skin depends a lot on what you feed the body. Here are a few adjustments you can make in your diet to improve the appearance of your skin and reduce dryness and itchiness.
Dehydration is among the biggest culprits of dry and itchy skin. Ensure that you are properly dehydrated by drinking at least 2 litres of water each day. Water is the solution to internal pollution as it allows more metabolic wastes to be filtered by the kidneys and eliminated from the body.
Reduce your consumption of diuretic drinks as these put a strain on the kidneys and contribute to dehydration. Examples of these are black tea, coffee, alcohol and soft drinks.
A chronic deficiency in quality oils will contribute to irritation and dry skin. Oils such as fish oil, flaxseed oil, raw unheated olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, and evening primrose oil provide moisture and help lubricate the skin. The same goes for fish, avocados, nuts and seeds. You can also rub olive oil directly into the area for fast relief. Increase oily foods in your diet to provide better moisture to the skin. They also act as a barrier to help soothe irritations.
Reduce consumption of acid-forming foods which heat the blood (Yang heat) and cause inflammation and dry skin. An acidic environment in the body occurs due to eating too much sugar, dairy, wheat, red meat, spices, alcohol, preservatives, processed and refined foods.
Begin each day with a small glass of warm water with half a lemon squeezed into it. Lemon juice is alkalising and helps to remove excess heat in the blood and improve liver function.
There’s really some truth to the phrase ‘cool as a cucumber’. Cucumbers are incredibly hydrating and help replenish body fluids for healthier skin. Other cooling foods include brown rice, watermelon, pineapple, sprouts, fresh beans, fruits and vegetables.
Reduce inflammation by alkalising the blood. Alkalising foods include sprouts, fish, miso soup, millet, vegetable broths and juices as well as water, lemon juice and green barley powder. Lessen your consumption of inflammatory foods or foods that heat up the body such as wheat, sugar, dairy, alcohol, sodas, red meat, and processed or refined foods. Our Happy Greens formulation is also an easy and convenient way to assist the body in the alkalising and cleansing process.
Have yourself tested to determine if there are any triggers causing your skin sensitivity. If dryness and irritation present around the mouth area, that may be directly caused by something you’re eating. Common irritant foods are pineapple, tomatoes and citrus. Consider avoiding these foods for a week and observe if the symptoms subside.
Your dermatologist will be able to determine the cause of skin reactions with blood and/or allergy tests. This will also help to determine whether the chemicals in your personal care or even home cleaning products are contributing to your condition.
Avoid face products which contain mineral oils as their base – these are derivatives of petroleum and will cause further skin issues. Try not to use makeup or too many beauty products especially on irritated areas to prevent drying and irritation.
Use fragrance-free moisturisers, shampoos, creams, soaps and deodorants (especially when itch and rash present under the arms). The common skin irritants contained in most body and face care products are sodium lauryl sulphate or any of its derivatives, benzenes, petroleum-based products, aluminium, chlorhexidine, dioxins, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), parabens and hydrazines.
More than just causing skin irritations, sodium lauryl sulphate and petroleum in skin care products also place further strain on the liver and kidneys. In naturopathic medicine, any condition which results in skin inflammation, dryness or irritation signifies that the liver needs to be addressed. If the liver is under duress it’s usually overworked and may heat up, causing the mucous membranes and skin to dry out.
Take a soothing bath to relieve the itchiness. Put some chamomile and oats in a muslin cloth or stocking and tie it over the bath tap. Then, let warm bath water run through it. Chamomile is very calming to the skin and oats contain mucopolysaccharides which are anti-pruritic. Both can help soothe and heal the skin and reduce the itch.
Stress plays a major role in skin health and causes a chemical response that makes skin more reactive and sensitive. That’s why it isn’t surprising to get hives, rashes, bumps, itching and breakouts when our stress levels are up. Learn how to manage stress as it can trigger or worsen flare-ups.
The appearance of the skin is a direct reflection of our inner health.
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