Chapped skin

There are many causes for the condition known as chapped skin. Environmental factors include weather. Severe heat, cold, sunburn and wind burn are all factors for dry skin symptoms. Different skin types react differently to environmental influences, but where ever possible it’s best to limit exposure to harmful things in the environment.

Cleaning agents, whether or not mixed with water are also included as environmental issues in today’s world. Repeated or prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals, soaps and detergents can literally remove a layer of skin from the hands and arms. You should be aware that once the barrier which is the skin has been breached; all types of harmful substances and organisms are able to enter into the blood stream.

Chapped skin can be the result of nutritional deficiencies. Depletion of fluids and the lack of the essential fatty acids in the diet can lead to the painful symptoms of chapped skin.

Another cause of chapped skin is simple friction. Clothing in which there is even a minute amount of detergent, clothing which is dirty or ill-fitting can rub against the affected skin resulting in abrasion, roughness and dryness.

Fortunately there are remedies for those who suffer from chapped skin. You can start by increasing your intake of carrots, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables. The key vitamin here is Vitamin A which is good for the rebuilding of cells in the skin. The fatty acids found in unrefined vegetable oil are helpful for moist skin, while Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B-5) is necessary in the diet to synthesize fats and oils.

A vitamin rich drink that you can prepare for yourself and drink daily is made of one tablespoon each of water cress, spinach and carrot juice added to a glass of tomato juice, 2 tbsp. wheat germ oil and 1 tbsp. of nutritional yeast.

Essentially, dry chapped skin is due to deficiencies in vitamins A, B, or C and in essential fatty acids. Using evening primrose oil daily should clear up the problems within a few days or weeks. Daily dosages of vitamins A, B, and C also help the skin to flourish as well as the general health of the person taking the nutritional supplements.

Topical herbal remedies for dry skin are calendula ointment in cold weather, comfrey cream for fostering of new cell growth and oils of St John’s Wort, olive or avocado after your bath.