When Skin Moisturizer Isn't Enough

[x]   Tags: psoriasis, psoriasis treatment, psoriasis relief, what is psoriasis, psoriasis cause, moisturizer, eczema treatments, eczema symptoms,, allergies, rashes, skin rashes, itchy skin, itchy rash, skin rashes that itch: skin conditions, dry skin, skin rash, red skin, itchy skin, skin diseases, skin rashes, skin bumps, skin growths: health, health video, medical videos, medical, video

[x]   Transcript: We all get the occasional case of "lizard skin," especially during the dry months of winter. But when your flesh becomes DESERT-like, another layer of lotion WON'T work. Most of the time, an underlying condition is to blame. Here's what could be drying YOU out. The two most common culprits are eczema and psoriasis. Eczema is when your skin becomes dry and peely, ESPECIALLY on your arms, legs, face and hands. What's to blame? Usually both genetics AND environmental irritants. While regular moisturizing helps prevent a flare up, you REALLY need prescription strength cortisone ointments to help stop the itch and heal the skin. Factors that worsen eczema include long, hot baths, sweating, stress, cigarette smoke and more. The second culprit? Psoriasis, a condition, that, due to an imbalance in the immune system, causes skin cells to grow faster than they're shed. This forms thick layers of flaky skin. Your dermatologist can give you medications, like corticosteroids, retinoids, and coal tar to help slow skin growth and remove the outer layers of dead cells. And yeah, coal tar, a byproduct of coal processing, SOUNDS scary-but it's available as an ingredient in several NON-scary forms, such as lotions, foams, creams, gels and soaps. For severe cases, you MIGHT need pills or injections that suppress the immune system and calm that red, scaly skin down. One oft-overlooked contributor of dry skin is hypothyroidism. This is when your body doesn't make enough thyroid hormone. It causes dry skin, plus: brittle nails, weight gain, fatigue and depression. Your doctor can prescribe medication to help regulate this disease AND prevent those symptoms. If your dry, flaky skin is solely on your FEET (no pun intended), you probably have a case of athlete's foot. This is caused by a fungus you could have picked up anywhere from public dressing rooms to pools to locker rooms. Try treating with an over-the-counter antifungal medication. If that doesn't work, your doctor can prescribe a stronger version. If you scratch your dry skin, it can put you at risk of infection, no matter WHAT the initial cause. If it becomes red, warm and swollen or oozes, see your doctor for antibiotics to prevent permanent scarring or worse. For more ways to keep your skin happy, check out the rest of the videos in this series.

[x]   Bio: Adam Friedman, MD is a board-certified dermatologist who serves as Director of Dermatologic Research and Assistant Professor at the Unified Division of Dermatology of Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He also the Associate Residency Program Director. Dr. Friedman holds several patents resulting from his investigation of nanotechnologies that allow for the delivery of molecules that can treat infectious diseases, accelerate wound healing and more. He has published over 30 papers on both his research as well as a variety of clinical areas in dermatology. Dr. Friedman has received awards from multiple organizations such as the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Dermatology Foundation, and the La Roche Posay North American Foundation. Dr. Friedman is chair of the leadership workgroup of the American Academy of Dermatology Resident/Fellows Committee and is the Senior Editor of the Dermatology In-Review Online Workshop. In line with his research interests, Dr Friedman currently serves as Vice President of the Nanodermatology Society. Dr Friedman graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania and received his M.D. with Distinction in Dermatology Research from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He trained in medicine at New York Hospital Queens, affiliated with NY Presbyterian Hospital/ Weil-Cornell Medical Center and completed his dermatology residency as chief resident at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.