The skin is the body's largest organ. Liu Minyi, a chief physician at Guangzhou Hospital, explains that under normal conditions, the stratum corneum should maintain approximately 10% moisture content. If this level drops, skin may become dry, rough, tight, and flaky. Key causes of dry skin include aging, climate changes, insufficient sleep, excessive fatigue, using excessively hot water for washing, and highly alkaline cleansing products.
Dry skin often leads to itching, commonly seen in adults. The itch typically starts in one area and gradually spreads throughout the body. It is often paroxysmal, particularly severe at night, and in severe cases, presents as persistent itching with intermittent flare-ups. Common examples include senile pruritus and winter pruritus.
Liu Minyi explains that reduced sebaceous gland function in the elderly, or the inherent characteristics of winter skin, can lead to symptoms like dryness, roughness, tightness, flaking, and itching. To address these skin issues during this season, pay attention to the following bathing guidelines:
(1) Keep bathing time brief.Limit each shower to no more than 10 minutes, as prolonged washing removes more of the protective sebum layer, leaving skin more prone to dryness.
(2) Avoid excessive bathing frequency. For dry skin, bathing every other day is sufficient. Elderly individuals, whose sebaceous glands naturally produce less oil, may bathe just once a week.
(3) Use lukewarm water.While hot water may temporarily relieve itching, excessively high temperatures can damage the skin's protective barrier. This leads to increased dryness and may worsen itching over time. A bath temperature of 40°C (104°F) is ideal.