Generic Question About Skin Conditions Needing Moisture And Medication

[Jingthing]

I think this is more interesting to generalize this as there are a number of skin conditions that sometimes require spot topical medication (such as steroid cream) AND always moisturizing as well (for prevention and treatment).

Examples: Eczema, Psoriasis, perhaps Prickly Heat

So anyway, I have actually asked this question of doctors twice, one an actual dermatologist. Very puzzled looks with no clear answer!

How do you actually do both?!?

For example if you are supposed to moisturize twice daily, and moisturizing should occur right after a shower and ALSO apply spot medication, which do you do first?

It seems to me if you moisturize (especially with a heavy one) first then there is a barrier to later applying the medication. But if you apply the medication first, the skin should be dry, so then if you later put on moisturizer to that, you are applying moisturizer to dry skin which is not ideal.

Any suggestions or comments on this concern?

[Riley'sLife]

Topical cream first, barrier cream last. The topical cream will take around 20 mins to be absorbed, after which no further absorption will occur. Barrier cream can be applied to dry skin retaining the natural moisture of the skin and protecting against irritants. Try to avoid air-conditioning as this can dehydrate the skin quickly.

[transam]

What skin condition are you actually referring too ?

[glbv]

Dry skin can be caused by many difference causes not just because it needs moisture. Theres many different bacterial reasons that can cause dry skin. To have a dry spot unknowingly caused by bacteria/medical condition and just continually slather on moisturizer will only make it worse and at best do nothing.

If you know what it is go with what Riley said, topical first wait about 10-15 minutes then your barrier/regular, but imo id wait to use the 2nd one till it gets a bit better.

#1 cure in the world to cure dry skin? Drink water! Fact that most people I know go a day with maybe 2-3liters of water MAX is just insane. Your body needs water, drink it.

[bina]

my mom used to mix the topical cortisone stuff in with the hypoallergenic super moister cream and then put it on my kids excemas *they are all allergic, blond, asthmatic and had terrible skin as infants. its also super dry in jerusalem during certain seasons...

other things that augment are very heavy creams: aveeno, roc are two brands we had good luck with them... and of course, at some point they all got allergy meds like lorastadine (aereous is the latest version)that also help if its allergy oriented.

a good dip inthe dead sea or barring that, dead sea skin creams (several are sold in thailand)...

but always the medicated cream first, and then a few mintues later the other cream

bina

[Jingthing]

Thanks all, I think this answers my generic question.

I'm going to ignore the idea that people with dry skin conditions shouldn't moisturize. I just don't believe it. Anyway, I have seen numerous sources moisturizing early in the day with a lighter moisturizer and a heavier one like shea butter at bedtime is good.

[glbv]

As I said dry skin that's dry due to just being, well dry and weathered is one thing. But dry skin in odd places should be watched and checked by a doctor especially if you've had it for awhile. I'm referring to a dryness almost like eczema type dryness that's clearly unnatural, can go to town with the Aevno on a spot like that and it wont do anything.

[Jingthing]

As I said dry skin that's dry due to just being, well dry and weathered is one thing. But dry skin in odd places should be watched and checked by a doctor especially if you've had it for awhile. I'm referring to a dryness almost like eczema type dryness that's clearly unnatural, can go to town with the Aevno on a spot like that and it wont do anything.

That is correct. Moisturizer does not treat a skin disease outbreak. But it does actually contribute to PREVENTING and minimizing the severity of such outbreaks. Skin is complicated of course and each patient is different and it is also very common to have more than one thing going on at one time. I just posted for technical advice for people who are doing moisturizing AND treatment of specific areas of outbreak with medication. Now that I've got the answer, I'm surprised I didn't know that myself. I guess I just have it ingrained you must moisturize right after getting wet, to hold the moisture in.

Also there are indeed many contributing factors to dry skin and weathering and aging are certainly not ALL of them!

Edited May 7, 2012 by Jingthing