Severely Dry Skin, I Think Is Realated to Low Estrogen, What Can I Do????

J.,

I've tried the following:
Go "yeast free" for at least 10 days... no cheese, fermented products (other than apple cider vinegar), white flour, sugar (even honey)... basically eat as many fresh fruits & vegetables, lean meats and whole grains as possible and drink LOTS of water (to flush your system). You may get a Herkshimer's (spelling?) response (feel awful for a day or two but then start feeling REALLY great after that!). That's what happens when any fungus/infection dies off in your body... thus the need to flush your system with lots of water. If you need "sugar" try Stevia. (You can check out KnowTheCause.com for fungal infection info).

Take some Omega 3's (fish oil, basically).

Take some GOOD probiotics... I used Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics 12 Plus (follow the package directions for the first week; pricey but worth it!). If you can't afford that, try some good organic plain yogurt (Trader Joe's, health food stores, etc.).

These things really helped my dry skin (no flaking, etc.) Good luck with whatever you try! ...and keep smiling! :)

N., SAHM of 4... ages 3 1/2 to 11 1/2

Hi J.,

I am a distributor for Shaklee, the number one natural nutrition company in the country. You may be interested in a nutritional approach to your symptoms. When your immune system is properly supported, the body is allowed to do what it does best; heal itself! All of Shaklee's nutritional products are derived from whole, organic food sources and designed to be as bioavailable as possible.

I have personal experience with my body healing following the doctor's prognosis of something that would "never heal on it's own" when I started with Shaklee.

I'd love to discuss this in further detail if you're interested. My website is www.shaklee.net/mclemore or my number is ###-###-####.

Take care,
C.

Hi J.,
I think 3 things may be contributing to this. 1st your water intake should be at minimum 64 oz. but I have my clients drink 80-120 because they are working out too. 2nd you probably need more protein. If you don't get enough protein it will take it from your collagen protein in your body first and this effects the way your skin looks. and 3rd you may need to add omega oils to your diet. This is crucial for healthy skin as well as hormorm function, brain function and cardiovascular health.
If you have any questions feel free to call me ###-###-#### or you can go to my website and check it out and e-mail me from there. http://funtobefit.com
C.

1st try putting a filter on your shower..i was living in Echo Park a few years ago and my hair started breaking off and my skin was dry etc..i put a filter on the shower and bam..changed everything..also started giving my pets filtered water and my one cat stopped scratching all the time.
also there are supplements to take..DHA oil..silica ..grapeseed extract..i take all of these..also lotions..i use Caudelie on my face
do you drink lots of juices? water? hydrate..my skin and hair always does better in humid climates..do u live somewhere dry?

Hi J. :
I have to agree with the other mothers response here. You wouldn't believe how many individuals are walking around with thyroid problems and don't even realize it.I had a problem with very dry skin.It got so bad on my hands,that they were cracking in places.A Thyroid being off, can create all sorts of strange systems. You can get cold easily,and have moody spells. It may be a good idea to have it checked.Its easy to correct,and will solve the severe dryness.The best to you

Have you had your thyroid tested? I had a hypothyroid condition and one of the symptoms was dry skin. May want to have your T3 & T4 levels checked. If you do have a hypothyroid condition Armour thyroid is a much more natural prescription medication than the others. I think you can read more about hypothyroid and Armour thyroid at armourthyroid.com. I hope this helps, take care. T.

I would check to see if you have a canditia (sp) infection in your whole body, not just in your vagina where it usually locally occurs. THats what it sounds like to me. (I am a doula and breastfeeding counsler/ex-skincare exec), I would reduce your sugar intake to none if you can, including juices, fruits and obviously any refined sugars. Also, no dairy for a bit as well. Drink water like crazy and I would take probiotics (highest dose you can find) and try creams that are callendula based. Coco butters, any natural oils (nut oils are best) and dont forget to up your Omega 3 fatty acids (orally). No minerial oil or patrolium based skincare products. As for natural birthcontrol pills, well, I have yet to hear of one BUT I would ask your naturopath about natural hormone therapy, that I do know exsits. Good luck!

Hi Jessie! It is really important you do your research and know your own bodies needs and it sounds like you took things in your own hands by seeking other help.

I am 48 but I too have always had low estrogen just no one every told me how it affects your body and now I have less than 20mg.but will not go on any medication.

I love the fact that I work with a company who wants to offer alternatives as best they can through science, technology and botanical ingredients.

Here is a link for our progestrone creams and I am using the Phyto-lief as it does contain a minimal amt of Estrgen plant extract. https://secure.myarbonne.com/arbonne/beautifulfreedom.nsf... or www.beautifulfreedom.myarbonne.com

Please email me and I can send you other health related articles and research to make your own decision, including, "Are you skin care products making you sick?".

Always here to help,
D.

Add fat to your diet in the form of oils, take vitaminE and Omega oils, make sure you are drinking water and use a good lotion. The protein idea is great!! I have dry skin if I don't use a lotion all the time. I use an Amway product with a touch of sunscreen. You can get it at we-us.mychoices.biz
it works well for me.

Skin needs vitamins A C & E.

Coconut butter works great straight from the health food store, but you will smell a bit like it.

You can get soy from eating edemane (sic), the soy bean pods. They taste pretty good, I used them for menopause.

Hi J.

I would suggest you explore the possibility that you may have allergies that are causing your skin problems. There is a book you can read called "Say Goodbye to Illnesses" which is very enlightening and makes sense. There is a non-invasive way to cure allergies using naet (Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Techniques) and I go to a wonderful naet certified doctor in Fullerton. He would be happy to take the time to discuss your situation with you so that you can learn more and decide if this is something you would like to pursue. (yes, a free consultation - and no, he is no salesman - just one of the most compassionate and respectful men I have ever met).

Let me know if you want his information or the website for naet.

M.

Hi J..

Most of the skin preps we all use actually promote problems in the skin. The sebaceous glands regulate sebum (oil) production in the skin. Sebum is essential for hydrating the skin. If skin is dry we slather it with "moisturizer". If we put too much product on our face, the sebaceous glands will shut down and cause skin to get drier. It's the reverse for oily skin.

I have been an Aromatherapist for over 15 years and have healed many skin problems ranging from 3rd degree burns to acne and psoriasis with the use of essential plant oils. Because the essentials work so well with regulating sebum production and healing damaged tissue, I created a line of 100% pure organic plant skincare to assist with all of our skin ailments. You can read up on it here:

www.myspace.com/realfaces

Essential plant oils are magnificent for promoting the healing of the largest organ of our body - the skin. Most people forget that the skin is an actual organ like the lungs or heart, and may not know that the skin ingests the things we put on it. Everything we put on our skin gets ingested into the bloodstream and goes to every single living cell in our body.

I believe that my Face Balm made with organic shea butter and essential oils would be perfect to alleviate your skin problems (especially your dry lips!).

If you have any questions, just ask!

Hi J.,
I can't recommend enough that you take good quality Omega 3 fish oil and GLA supplements - the oils help prevent dryness from the inside out and assist with hormone imbalances. Here are a couple of links that I recommend you look at, then let me know if you have any questions and if I can be helpful to you.
http://www.shaklee.net/healthyfriends/product/20608
http://www.shaklee.net/healthyfriends/product/20244
J.

soy products (soy milk, etc) contain natural estrogen that can be very helpful for women with this problem.

Hi J.,
I am 27 and know exactly what you are going thru. I am not one to wear makeup or use a lot of body products. But, when my 10yo sais something about how I looked like "an old mommy" I decided I had to do something. I talked with so many people, including my 93yo Great-Grandmother (who still looks about 70) and found her secret.
http://www.marykay.com/lnorville/spabody/suncarecollectio...
These products are great for everything. My absolute favorite is the replinishing gel, it doesn't leave that nasty oily feeling, but does leave some very soft skin. I keep it in my shower, so it is easy to remember. When I wash my hair, I put that on just before I rinse. Talk about multi-tasking... Hope this helps, I know it did me.

J.

Soy products provide a natural form of estrogen. Just drinking a glass of soy milk a few times a day will help. Also go back to the good ole days when people used to take cod liver oil, a spoonful a day. It will help give you the omega 3's your body does not produce on it's own and it will improve your skin in a few weeks, plus it's not very expensive. Also try Neutrogena's Sesame Oil after shower body oil. It is the best for dry skin, you smooth some on in the shower while your skin is still wet. They make it in unscented also, if you want to stay away from fragrance. Wish you the best.

J.

Check out www.melaleuca.com, for an amazing lotion called Renew. The studies have shown there is no more effective lotion on the market for dry skin. They also have lip balm that my son swears by (he too has suffered from dry lips!!). In addition to a possible medical condition ... these products will help with the "visible symptoms".

Good luck,

P.
MomsWithTheAnswer.com

Hi J.,
I too have severely dry skin and have since I was a baby. I don't know about you but when I use lotions they wear off by mid day and my skin is dry again. I have talked to my dermatologist and he has always told me soaps are too harsh, to only use mild soaps like Dove, Ivory, and to use aquaphor when you get out of the shower, when your skin is still damp. For your face try not to use a soap but cetaphil, it is a "dry soap" or a face cream works great too. I was wasn't sure the cetaphil or aquaphor would help but it has! It hasn't cured beacuase nothing will be it really helps my lotion bills have gone down! I also went to an accupuncturist, she was able to help gave some suggestions and gave me some herbs. The herbs didn't taste good but I think it helped. Good luck, I know this hard to deal with.

Hi J.,
Have you seen an endocrinologist? They can do blood tests to check your estrogen level or check other areas. There is a condition called Diabetes Insipidus. It has nothing to do with blood sugar. It has to do with the anti diuretic hormone. Basically, your body doesn't retain fluids and you excrete them rapidly and can become chronically dehydrated. This is a pituitary problem. I think you should pursue the symptoms you are having. Good luck!
A.

Hi J.,
Definitely have your doctor do some tests. If you have low estrogen, they can give you something to help increase the levels. Meanwhile, I have had really dry skin all my life. I use only Dove soap. I cannot use anything with perfume. When I shower, before I dry off, I use either Aveno Bath Oil or Aveno lotion all over my body. Let it soak in before you dry off. The oil is not greasy and it really helps severe cases. My mother in law started using the Bath Oil when she was staying in Palm Springs and it really helped her dry skin. Also, every night I put vaseline on my lips to stop the chapping and I use Aveno lotion on my hands and arms.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

I would see your doctor for a complete physical. Something is going on---this could be hormones, but possibly other things, as well. He should run all kinds of labs on you to eliminate possibilities.

maybe try foods with natural estrogen--yams, soy especially--look for others. increase your water intake. have you tried olive oil on your skin?

Hello, J.,

I work as a nutrition coach utilizing regenerative foods that put the body into balance. I believe they would be so useful for you. Let me know if you would like to learn more.

My very best,

T.

Hi J. ! It does start from within, I use Melaleuca products that helps with all sorts of different health and wellness aspects. email me separately "____@____.com" ....maybe you can try some of the items I have handy and take it from there.

Hope all is well !

I have been told about (not tried) wild yam cream available at health food stores/co-ops that is recommended to women with low estrogen. Good luck!

Dear J.,

Try searching these two places:
Horizon Herbs.com and
RainTree.com
Look at their catalogs, they both have wonderful natural products for A to Z ailments/conditions

Best of Health to You!
C. S.

You may have already thought of this, but how is your diet? Perhaps look into a nutritionist?
The people I know with skin issues (dryness) are somewhat obsessed about their weight, so they avoid food with fat. I understand that, but we need some good fat! Avocados, flaxseed, eggs, walnuts, etc.
Also, how is your water-intake? During my pregnancies (I'm on #3), I drink water like a diabetic (although I'm not) and I believe that has prevented me from getting a single stretch-mark (my mom and sister both have them).
I have always detested having the sensation of dry skin since I was a child, so I can't imagine what you're going through.
Good luck

Have you tried Mary Kay for your skin? Great products for dry skin, and an awesome lip mask and balm for those chapped lips! Happy to have you try them for free! Our kids could play with toys and we can play with skin care! Check out my website www.marykay.com/sdement Best-selling brand of skin care and color in America!

You might want to have your thyroid checked out just in case. I had very dry skin and that was one of the symptons to hypothyroid. Also, I used to use a progesterone cream I got from natural products by Neway. You can check them out on-line. Take care.