As naturopathic doctors in Arizona it seems appropriate to discuss specific approaches you can take to minimize the impact of the dry climate on your skin as well as improve your overall skin health. Here in Arizona skin problems are not uncommon, especially considering the dry climate we live in. Still there is more to your skin than the presence of wrinkles and thickness. Outside of dryness many other dermatological conditions like eczema and psoriasis are worsened by the dry Arizona climate.  Whether you skin is dry, having a reaction, or presents with some dermatological condition, it is in some way a reflection of things occurring inside your body. Naturopathic doctors are acutely aware of such reflections that most phoenix doctors don't think twice about. Let's look more closely at what your skin might be revealing about your overall health.

The Role of Skin in Your Health 

It may come as no surprise that the purpose of our skin is to serve as a barrier between our inner environment and our outer environment. As you will see our skin can also give us clues as to what is going on in the internal environment. The different layers of skin allow it to protect the inner environment from various threats, mainly dehydration, toxins, and foreign invaders.

The outer most layer of skin called the stratum corneum typically consists of about 10-30 % water. This water content is supplied by skin glands below the stratum corneum, diffusion of water from lower layers of skin, sweat, and the atmosphere. When the atmosphere is dry the water in the stratum corneum evaporates more quickly. When we don't consume enough liquids to compensate for the evaporation, dehydration sets in leaving the skin with that characteristic dry look. However, without the outer layer of skin, keeping well hydrated would be nearly impossible, especially in Arizona.

Another key function of the skin is its ability to eliminate toxins through sweat and other secretions. Our skin is the largest organ on our body and has specific mechanisms to excrete toxins through sweat glands. A pimple is an example of this toxic excretion. When your body is accumulating a lot of toxins, you will often see the skin break out with various manifestations (allergic reaction, acne, etc.). 

The skin also has it's own immune defense cells specific to it called dendritic cells. These immune cells are present in all tissue that are in contact with the external environment and they prevent infectious disease and other foreign invaders from entering into the body. On the skin the dendritic cells are usually engaged when there is trauma to the skin. However it can also occur when the allergens are encountered. A cut on the skin that gets infected sends massive amounts of dendritic and other immune cells to the area to wall off the infection. This creates increased blood flow, swelling and pain. If the infection is not isolated it will spread throughout the body. Before antibiotics many people died from such infections. If your body is not able to wall off infections it can sugests a deficient immune responce. 

As you can see the skin is more than an inert barrier that covers our body. It is alive with complexity and responds to both the internal and external environment. If the skin is dry the inside of body is likely dehydrated too. If you have acne or other skin reactions, the body is responding to the toxins or allergies around it. To improve the health of your skin, you have to first look inside. Many common dermatological conditions respond to this approach. 

Common skin problems

• Dry skin or Xerosa: In Arizona hydration can't be emphasized enough but your dry skin might also be from being too clean? The natural oils that our skin produces actually help protect the surface of the skin and keep it moist. Our modern cleanliness practices strip these oils from our body leaving the skin more susceptible to water evaporation. Frequent long, hot showers and baths dry the skin and many perfumes, deodorants, and antiperspirants, also dry the skin further. Outside of staying hydrated and minimizing the above oil striping practices, here are a few suggestions:

• Moisturizers with occlusive ingredients work well because the prevent water from evaporating off the surface. These include things like, petroleum jelly, paraffin wax, bees wax, and other vegetable, and animal oils. 
• Ointments will be even stronger than moisturizers as they have are almost all made occlusive agents. The downside to these is they leave a very oils residue and feel. 
• Herbs like calendula and aloe can be used for dry skin that is also irritated. These are often infused into ointments. 

• Eczema: Eczema is a condition of chronic inflammation that results in dry irritated areas on the body. It typically shows up on the joint creases but can be anywhere on the body. In Arizona people with active eczema will have more trouble as it will further dry and irritate the skin. The condition stems from an allergic reaction of some kind. While it is not always know what the allergen is, diligent investigation into all potential allergens is the best place to start treatment. Once all potential allergens have been eliminated, there are other treatments that can reduce the inflammation such as:
• Conventionally speaking corticosteroids are the most common treatment for this condition. This is a classic example of covering symptoms but they often do help reduce the pain and irritation.
• Eating an anti inflammatory diet as discussed in other articles can go a long way to reduce the flares and breakouts. See the above link for more details on this.

• Psoriasis: It isn't fully understood why people get psoriasis. However it is thought to be condition of the skin that results from a combination of genetic susceptibility, immune system malfunction, and envornmental exposure. The combination of the above results in an excess proliferations of skin cells and migration of white blood cells to the surface of the skin. This appears as a thick scally patch on the extensor surface of joints and other areas. It should be noted that because this is an autoimmune condition, it is not always isolated to the skin alone. There are sometimes manifestations in the joints, similar to rheumatoid arthritis. Because the immune system and environmental factors play a big role in flare ups, it make sense to start here for treatment. 
• For many people dry and cold climates make the skin worse. However, the sun seems to make psoriasis better. There are many different types of light therapy that are helpful for a range of psoriasis symptoms.
• Minimize triggers by avoiding alcohol and smoking and you will reduce your stress, all of which are triggers. Do all you can to avoid getting sick as this will activate the immune system and make it worse as well. 
• Immune modulating is important because the immune system plays a big role in how much proliferation occurs in the skin. Modifying diet and using immune modulating herbs can go a long way to improve symptoms as well. 

As you can see a simple rash on the surface of your skin may be realted to a more complex problem occuring inside your body. Naturopathic doctors are especially equiped to look at these skin conditions in a more holistic way. Looking for and identifying the deeper meaning and cause for the skin reactions is the first step. For a free consult with one of our naturopathic doctors in phoenix, click on the link below.