Hypothyroidism is a disorder in which the thyroid gland in the front of the neck produces an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone. There are several causes of hypothyroidism, including damage due to inflammation or an autoimmune disorder, congenital hypothyroidism, viral thyroiditis and reduced thyroid functioning due to medication or radiation. Symptoms of the disorder are typically the same, regardless of the cause, and include depression, fatigue, weight gain, constipation, cold sensitivity and dry skin. While waiting for treatment for your thyroid disorder to take effect, you can relieve dry skin and associated itching at home.
Step 1
Continue any medications prescribed by your doctor to treat your thyroid dysfunction. It may take a while before the dosage of your medication is adequate to relieve all your symptoms.
Step 2
Take short, lukewarm showers and avoid using soap unless it is necessary to remove dirt or germs. Hot water and soaps are drying.
Step 3
Lather dry skin with an oil-based emollient within minutes of exiting the shower. This will help trap moisture inside your skin to battle dryness.
Step 4
Choose a water-based moisturizer for acne-prone areas, such as your face and neck. While these are not quite as effective at moisturizing very dry skin, they are less likely to clog pores and contribute to breakouts.
Step 5
Exfoliate to remove accumulated dead skin cells that can prevent moisture from reaching deeper layers of your skin. Use a fine-grained product or a gentle exfoliating sponge. Hypothyroidism can cause delayed wound healing, which means even minor scratches or cuts are more likely to become infected. Do not exfoliate thin, damaged or irritated skin, and check your exfoliating sponge for rough edges frequently.
Step 6
Use a topical steroid on dry, itchy patches of skin. Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter strength hydrocortisone cream, or he may prescribe something stronger if your dry skin from hypothyroidism is severe.
Step 7
Run a humidifier inside your home, especially during winter months when outside humidity levels are low and indoor heating systems dry out the air.
Step 8
Protect your skin from environmental irritants that may worsen dryness, such as sun exposure, harsh wind, extreme cold and rough fabrics.
Things You'll Need
- Oil-based moisturizer
- Water-based lotion for acne-prone skin
- Fine-grained exfoliant
- Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream
- Humidifier
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