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I have been vegetarian since december 2009 and vegan since the middle of january 2010 and my skin has recently become VERY dry. Especially my stomach (which i think is weird.) It's so dry that it hurts! I have been soaking myself in baby oil, vitamin E oil, and lotions. And nothing is working. I also have a strange patch of dry skin on my wrist and one near my scalp. Everyone is telling me it's because I need animal fat (sick..). And I know that's not it, but I NEED HELP!!!
there are a few things you could try after looking over the components of your diet. i don't have a cure, b/c i don't know what's causing it, but i do have some suggesstions that may offer you relief.
1. light exfoliation, to work the excess dead skin off
then do one or more of the following:
oatmeal bath, olive oil rub (just rub evoo all over your body, preferably right after bath/shower when still wet. may help to warm the evoo a little too), moisturize with pure whipped shea, mango, or coco butter (add essential oils of one or more of: almond oil,avocado oil,babassu oil, primrose oil), aloe vera rub (same as evoo rub. use drinkable kind)
i am sure one or more of these things should bring you some relief. i understand what you are going through.
hope you feel better!
I would also recommend you eat an avocado a day, and take a flaxseed oil supplement. You may want to see a Dr / dermatologist to see what it is for sure, altho it does sound like eczema, which my son also has. I use the Arbonne ABC (baby products) on him .. the body wash is also the shampoo, and there's lotion & oil. It works like a charm on him .. huge results even just overnight ! if you want to try it, send me a message & I can order it for you using my ID# & get you 20% off
You haven't changed anything other than diet (like detergent, shampoo, body products, etc?)
I searched under the key terms "dry skin diet change" and came across a few possible factors:
1.) Winter dry skin2.) Dehydration - drink plenty of water (the recommended amount, not too much. I've heard to just drink when you're thirsty) or eat foods that retain water.3.) Lack of healthy fatty acids like Omega-3 - I think these help skin and hair retain moisture4.) Could be body's way of expelling toxins 5.) The kind of soap you use
I think that number 2 and 3 are probably the most important ones to consider. Your case seems pretty severe, though. If the skin problem doesn't clear up, I'd say to see a doctor about it.
Kiss My Face has some olive oil soap. I just got some the other day and it's really nice. I tend to break out on my chest, shoulders, and back, but olive oil seems to help with that.
I hope you feel better really soon!
P.S. I read one article that said NOT to eat animal meat if you're experiencing dry skin! But like I said, I think that if you continue having problems, you should see someone about it.
oh hon im so sorry!!! yuck!!!
my legs especially tend to get miserably dry in the winter here in new england- flaky, scaley, with a lot of burning and itching. i find the thing that helps me is a super moisturizing body wash followed by Aveeno in shower body oil. its literally oil that you coat on your skin and then rinse off. i follow that with an intense lotion. it gets me through the winter!
with that said, it does ttally sound like you could also have eczema. my nephew has it and my sister in law swears by Burt's Bees moisturizing lotion (the oat and honey one i think- dont know if its vegan or not). he reacts to anything else and its just makes it worse. i know plenty of people that swear by Acquaphor as well- it should help keep some moisture in. slather up before you go to bed!
i would look at your diet too to make sure you're getting enough good fats and stuff too... (NOT animal fats- that crazy!)
and if nothing is helping at all i might take a trip to the doctor. it could be a rash or something else besides dry skin. i broke out in Pityriasis rosea a few years ago that was horrible!!! skin rashes can be lots of things.
hang in there! stay moist! :)
i have eczema and i think diff things work for diff people... like i have to do a combo of things (including a few that i mentioned previously) to keep it under control. when i was younger, i HAD to do oatmeal baths... BUT ever since i began living a *kinder* life my eczema has decreased SIGNIFICANTLY. i did, however, notice a slight increase in symptoms when i first began eliminating yucky foods... could be your eczema is flaring due to detox?!
i think the best thing you can do is look at all the wonderful suggestions and see what works for you, and see a dermatologist who can for sure tell you if it's eczema or not. but don't let them convince you to use some prescription b/c more than likely YOU DON'T NEED IT, you can probably use something a bit more natural.
Thanks for all the help everyone! Selainey, should i take a supplement? or do you recommend any foods with omega-3? I know it's in fish, but I'm not eating that!
I'm going to try all of your ideas, and if it doesn't improve, I probably will take a trip to the dr. But, i do agree with 'looking up' I will probably find a more natural remedy to whatever it may be!!
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