If your parent’s skin is dry and itching, it’s important to get it under control. It can be a sign of a skin condition like rosacea or eczema. Neither is dangerous, but a doctor should diagnose it and come up with a treatment plan. It could just be dry skin. If your mom or dad scratch and break the skin open, there is a risk of infection.
Dry skin is more prone to cracking open and becoming inflamed. It’s important to take care of the skin and lower the risk of it becoming dry. These skin care tips will help.
Switch the Soap or Body Wash
What kind of soap or body wash is your mom or dad using? If it’s a cheap bar soap or has a strong fragrance, it’s more likely to dry the skin. An unscented soap or body wash is better. Natural ingredients that eliminate chemicals also help. One that contains a moisturizer like coconut milk is also beneficial to dry skin.
Stop Taking Hot Showers
If your mom or dad likes hot baths and hot showers, it’s important to cool things down. Hot water dries the skin. Warm water is ideal. The time spent in the shower should be limited to 5 or 10 minutes.
Blot Dry Rather Than Rub
Instead of rubbing the skin after a shower, the towel should be used to blot the skin dry. Use an unscented, natural moisturizer after drying to trap in any moisture that the skin cells absorbed in the shower.
Look for moisturizers that cling to the skin. Ingredients that will help are coconut oil, jojoba oil, lactic acid, lanolin, olive oil, and shea butter. Mineral oil and petroleum may also be used if the skin isn’t sensitive to those ingredients.
Pay Attention to Ingredients That Irritate Skin
Your parent’s skin may be sensitive to certain ingredients. Pay attention to common irritants and stop using them if you notice a rash or irritation after using a lotion or balm with that ingredient. For example, some people find that products with parabens or citrus oils are irritating.
When doing the laundry, use unscented, hypoallergenic detergents and fabric softeners. Your mom should skip using body sprays and perfumes. Your dad needs to choose a shaving cream that isn’t irritating. He should also skip aftershaves and colognes.
Maintain a consistent skincare routine with your parent. If your mom or dad has a hard time with personal care, consider caregivers. The caregiver could help your parent shower, dry off, and apply skin lotion to all of the body. Call to learn more about caregivers, pricing, and services.
The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable Homecare in Buford, GA, and surrounding areas. Call (770) 965.4004 for more information.
Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”
Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”
You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).
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