10 Things You Need To Know About Dry Itchy Skin

Itchy, red, flaky skin is no fun. When your skin is in bad health, it’s hard to focus on anything else. Because skin is the body's largest organ, your general health can be affected by its condition. When it’s shredded and bleeding from raking it with your fingernails, you expose yourself to all sorts of topical infections that can eventually affect other biological systems.

The good news is that you can alleviate dry itchy skin by knowing the causes and then by changing your routine accordingly.

1. Long, hot showers and baths. Soaking in hot tubs and lingering under a hot shower actually strips your skin of the natural oils that protect it.

What you can do: Opt for showers over baths, and use lukewarm water, not hot. Wash quickly without lingering. When toweling off, pat your skin (don't rub) then apply moisturizer immediately.

2. Medications: Itchy skin can be a side effect of certain medications, like retinoids which treat acne, antihistamines for allergies, and diuretics for high blood pressure.

What you can do: If you notice the onset of dry skin after starting a new medication, tell your doctor, who can alter the dosage or possibly prescribe another drug.

3. Sun exposure: Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause many unwelcome skin changes including dryness, wrinkles, lowered immunity against skin infections and skin cancer.

What you can do: Always use sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher. Apply approximately 1 ounce to cover all sun-exposed skin. Cloudy day? Reach for the sunscreen anyways. Skin-damaging ultraviolet light can penetrate clouds, fog, even snow.

4. Harsh, antibacterial soaps that create lots of lather. They also strip skin of natural oils. Many people have the tendency to use lots of soap and scrub every inch of their body.

What you can do: Look for a mild, fragrance-free soap cleanser. Also, unless you’ve been outside digging a ditch, you probably aren’t really that dirty. The only parts that need soap are face, hands, feet, groin and underarms. The rest can usually be rinsed with warm water.

5. Moisturizing mistakes. Applying moisturizer after you’re completely dried off from the shower won’t do much good. And while scents like Coconut Lime Verbena and Wild Honeysuckle might do wonders for your sense of smell, they won’t do much to alleviate winter itch.

What you can do: The best lotions for skin are mild, fragrance-free with no perfumes. Have it ready to apply as soon as you get out of the shower. You shouldn’t be sopping wet; pat dry first, then apply cream or lotion.

6. Dry Air: While cold, winter air certainly contributes to winter itch, the warm air indoors is even more problematic.

What you can do: Turn down the thermostat a few degrees and put a humidifier in rooms where you spend most of your time. When outdoors, bundle up from head to toe. Long, knee-socks which will help protect legs from cold air that swoops up under your pant legs.

7. Wool and other itchy fabrics. That new wool sweater may look great, but if it’s making you itch, is it worth it? Not if you have severely dry itchy skin.

What you can do: When you try on clothing, pay attention to how it feels on your skin. If it scratches you in the store, it’ll scratch you later. Cashmere and cotton are the best choices if you are experiencing dry skin.

8. Genetics: Your dry itchy skin could be the result of genetics. Inherited conditions include ‘ichthyosis’ (fish-scale skin), ‘xerosis’, ‘asteatosis’ or ‘acquired ichthyosis’. The dry areas may result in ‘dermatitis’ in which the skin becomes red and itchy.

What you can do: In addition to the aforementioned tips, apply a super thick emollient liberally and often, particularly after bathing, and when itchy. If the condition worsens, see your doctor.

9. Hormonal changes: The powerhouse hormone estrogen stimulates production of skin-smoothing collagen and oils. That's why, as menopause approaches and estrogen production diminishes, dry itchy skin becomes very common.

What you can do: In addition to the aforementioned tips, eat a diet that’s rich in essential fatty acids -- like the omega-3s found in sardines, soy, safflower oil, flax, salmon, walnuts, and fortified eggs. A diet short of these body-boosting fats can leave skin dry, itchy, and prone to acne. You can also keep skin hydrated by drinking lots of water. According to The Mayo Clinic, there are no hard and fast rules about how much is enough; but a good guideline is the “8 x 8 rule”: eight 8 oz. glasses per day.

10. Smoking: Tobacco smoke contains roughly 4,000 chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic. In addition to damaging lungs and eventually, other organs, you also expose your skin to toxic chemicals which trigger oxidation. This results in free radicals which literally attack skin cells, resulting in the yellowed, craggy dry skin associated with smokers.

What you can do: Do everything in your power to quit. Meanwhile, exercise will improve circulation and the distribution of oxygen and nutrients. Also, load up on Vitamin C and other antioxidants to remove or minimize the cause of cellular damage.

By: Jenny Gaglione

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Jenny Gaglione is a Cleveland, Ohio writer specializing in healthcare topics. She is married with 2 children and is in her early 40s. Jenny writes about anti-aging issues at www.antiagingreport.org/. Visit the web site for new information and discount offers on top quality anti-aging skincare products.

Hard Water Spots On Your Windows

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The two most common minerals that cause the water spots on your windows are known as calcium and lime scale. As fresh rain water passes through the ground, calcium, lime and many other minerals are naturally dissolved into the water. The ground water is then tapped into for irrigation and drinking. When the hard ground water comes in contact with a window, such as through a sprinkler, it will eventually evaporate leaving the minerals behind. Each time this happens a new layer of mineral deposits are accumulated resulting in a hard, crusty shell that is nearly impossible to remove.

Sprinklers are the most common reason for hard water spots to form on windows. This is usually an easy fix. Adjust the position of the sprinkler head so that it doesn’t continuously hit your windows. Sometimes the water pressure on the system can be adjusted as well.

Often the wind blowing the sprinkler water up onto the glass can be the problem. In this case you will want to clean off any existing build up and then apply a special coating to the glass. Glass coating products coat the surface of the glass, which creates a protective barrier. This barrier will not prevent the calcium from sticking, but it will prevent it from becoming permanently attached. The mineral build up will then wipe off with ease.

If you decide to wash the building with a garden hose or power washer, make sure you use a window squeegee to remove the water before it has a chance to evaporate.

In the window cleaning industry, mineral deposits are defined in three stages. Each stage determines the amount of build up, ease of removal, and possible damage that may be found.

Stage one consists of 1-2 light coatings of deposit. This can be easily wiped or rubbed off with a rag or sponge using regular soap and water. At this time no damage has been detected.

Stage two is when the deposits have built up to the point where they have a white but still transparent look. You can see tiny scales starting to form on the glass. At this point, it may be difficult (but not impossible) to remove with normal scrubbing. A window scraper and acid base or light abrasive glass cleaner may be needed to completely remove the scales. Still, no permanent damage has been detected.

Stage three is when the deposits have built up over a long period of time and create thick, hard, scaly shell. With this amount of build up and time, the deposits may etch into the pores of the glass, and can be baked on by the sun or both. You will know the damage has taken place when the window scraper or cleaners will not remove the scale build up. At this point, the window will have to be buffed out using a special buffer, with abrasive window buffing pads. This process should be carried out by a professional to avoid additional damage to the glass.

Tip: When using any cleaners or tools on glass, always follow the directions and test in a corner first. Also, seal the surrounding surfaces with plastic to prevent further damage.

By: Ray Croskrey

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

To learn more free tips on window cleaning and hard water deposits on windows, please visit do-it-yourself-window-cleaning-tips.com/

Total Hardness And Water Quality

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Most adults have learned that water can be soft or hard. They have learned, too, that there is a connection between total hardness and water quality. Hard water reduces the power of your soap. In fact, hard water is often detected by noting the amount of soap required to form lather. Hard water may build up in hot water pipes and appliances, producing limescale.

Hard Water Defined

Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved calcium, magnesium, and other mineral salts such as iron. The greater the amount of dissolved minerals in the water, the harder it is.

Total hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg) or parts per million (ppm). If water contains less than 3.5 gpg, it is considered soft water. If it contains more than 7 gpg, it is considered hard water. The American Society of Engineers' water hardness classification table breaks it down this way.

* Soft: 0 to 3.5 gpg – 0 to 60 ppm
* Moderate: 3.6 to 7 gpg – 61 to 120 ppm
* Hard: 7.1 to 10.5 gpg – 121 to 180 ppm
* Very Hard: More than 10.5 gpg – more than 180 ppm

Making the Connection

Total hardness and water quality are connected. Hard water is safe for drinking, cooking, and other household uses, but it can cause problems.

One way in which total hardness and water quality are connected is the effect of such water on household plumbing. Total hardness means a build-up of scales inside pipes, especially those carrying hot water.

Total hardness and water quality are also connected in their effect on appliances that use water. Dishwashers and washing machines can decrease in cleaning and laundering ability. Water heaters can become less efficient. Refrigerators that dispense water can become clogged.

Aesthetically, total hardness and water quality are connected in those white, chalky deposits that accumulate on tubs, sinks, and cookware.

U.S. Water Quality

According to the 1997 National Water Quality Survey, 1 of 5 people surveyed in the U.S. is dissatisfied with the water quality in his or her home. This is related to the fact given by the U.S. Geological Survey: that 85 percent of the U.S. has hard water. Many people install water softeners in their homes to improve water quality.

Determining Water Quality

You can have your water quality tested if you are moving into a new area or a new home. If you have been living in the same home for a while, you will know if your water is hard by looking for these 7 signs:

1. You have difficulty working up lather from a bar of soap.

2. Your soaps and detergents don't seem to clean well – you have dingy laundry in spite of your efforts to get it clean.

3. In the shower or bath, your soap leaves a film on your body and hair – you have dry skin and dull, limp hair.

4. You have to battle soap scum on bathtubs, shower tiles and doors, basins, and fixtures.

5. You see an increasing buildup of scale on your cookware such as tea kettle, coffee maker, and pasta pot. Your plumbing also contains scale.

6. Clogged pipes or appliances mean that water flow is reduced.

7. Your water heating costs are increasing due to scale buildup and mineral deposits, and you have to replace hot water heating elements more often.

Improving Water Quality

Treatment can improve water quality. You may use electromagnetic water conditioners, water filters, or water softeners.

Electromagnetic water conditioners improve water quality by sending water through a magnetic field. As the water passes between the magnets, its calcium and magnesium ions lose their scale-causing properties. Studies show that this relatively new invention does not technically soften water, but water quality is improved in that it no longer causes buildup of scales. Clothing also lasts longer, which is a definite increase in water quality.

Water filters are a second option for improving water quality, especially drinking water. Water filters can provide healthy drinking water by removing chlorine and other contaminants contained in water. Water filters can soften water, but they will not prevent scale buildup in pipes and water heaters.

Water softeners are a common way of improving water quality, and come in two types: chemical and mechanical. The water produced by chemical water softeners is not acceptable drinking water. Packaged chemicals are added directly to improve water quality in laundering and bathing, and are effective both in protecting clothing and guarding against dry skin and hair. Mechanical water softeners installed in your home will replace dissolved calcium and magnesium salts with sodium. This water is also not acceptable for drinking, especially by those who have hypertension. The water quality is greatly improved, however, for other uses. Lime scale is prevented; water heaters function efficiently; and laundered clothing is both cleaner and longer-lasting.

Soft Water

On the other end of the spectrum, total hardness and water quality are a benefit when that hardness level is below 3.5 gpg or 60 ppm. Soft water allows you to use less shampoo and soap, yet have shinier hair and softer skin. Soft water requires less soap or detergent in shower, laundry, kitchen, and household cleaning chores. It helps close look cleaner and last longer. It keeps water-using appliances and plumbing from wearing out as fast. Soft water keeps dishes and eating utensils spot-free, and extends the life of tea kettles and other cookware. Soft water reduces cleaning time by eliminating soap scum and buildup of scales.

Total hardness and water quality are closely connected, and you may find it worthwhile to use a water treatment system to improve your water quality – especially your drinking water.

By: Anna Hart

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

©2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about water quality at www.healthydrinkingwaterblog.com. Anna has also posted information on that site about salt water. If you want to learn why you should not drink water softened with sodium, you won’t want to miss her article on that subject.