The skin is the largest organ of the skin. It protects us from pathogens and dehydration, and is therefore influenced by many factors, including what we eat and what kind of elements we are exposed to. The most common cause of skin redness is rosacea, a chronic skin condition that can be caused by many factors, such as exposure to heat, sun, certain foods or alcohol. The skin may redden from symptoms of psoriasis, eczema, or from prolonged exposure to the sun or dry weather. Use the following treatments to solve many redness problems.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Treat Dry and Reddened Skin
Step 1. Moisturize the skin
The redness due to dry skin will be significantly reduced if you keep your body hydrated. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Step 2. Prevent redness with sunscreen
Look for a sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays. Apply it every day.
Step 3. Apply a moisturizer several times a day
Apply the cream when you have showered and after washing your hands. People who have very dry skin can apply the moisturizer at selected intervals. Look for the following ingredients when buying a moisturizer:
- Ceramide. Helps in the relief of water retention and redness.
- Dimethicone and glycerin. Both bring the water closer to the skin.
- Hyaluronic acid. Like ceramide, hyaluronic acid helps fight water retention.
- Lanolin, mineral oils and petrolatum. These ingredients help the skin retain moisture absorbed during ablution.
Step 4. Don't take long hot showers anymore
Prolonged exposure to very hot water can remove essential skin oils and moisture, leaving your skin red, dry and flaky. Limit yourself to hot showers that last no more than 10 minutes.
Take a bath in oatmeal. Oats help calm irritated skin, and is a proven remedy for redness caused by poison oak and chicken pox. Use edible oats or oatmeal baths - choose the most convenient option
Step 5. Wash only with unscented, organic soaps
Throw away any scented and colored soaps that can cause dryness and irritation. Instead, choose soaps made from shea and cocoa butter.
Step 6. Avoid contact with chemicals
Exposure to chemicals such as bleach, hair dye and other solvents can create redness.
Step 7. Use common sense
Ask yourself a few questions before seeing your doctor. An examination of your recent past will suffice:
- You've started using new products lately. If you've started acne treatment for example, especially with retinoids, those substances could be contributing to your redness.
- Have you scratched or irritated your skin on your own? Did you exfoliate your skin too much? As a general rule, try to avoid skin contact with dirt, grease and oil as much as possible.
Step 8. Use gels and creams with soothing properties
There are many creams and gels that heal redness, but two in particular are very effective:
- Hydrocortisone cream. Applied once to four times a day, hydrocortisone is a proven remedy for dry, itchy and red skin.
- Gel with aloe vera. Aloe vera gels are often used as topical dressings to relieve redness due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera reduces skin irritations.
Method 2 of 5: Treating Rosacea
Step 1. Start with topical dressings
Symptoms of rosacea, which generally show up on the face, can include constant blemishes, intermittent redness, and small red bumps. If you think you have rosacea, talk to your doctor about the following topical medications:
- Topical antibiotics, including medications with metronidazole
- Topical tretinoins
- Topical peels, including medications with benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid.
Step 2. Talk to your doctor about oral medications
Oral antibiotics are used to treat rosacea because they reduce inflammation and redness faster than topical antibiotics. Oral antibiotics include tetracycline, minocycline, and erythromycin, although they can have serious side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Step 3. If no other solution worked, talk to your doctor about isotretinoin
Isotretinoin is a powerful oral drug used on acne and rosacea patients whose conditions do not respond to other medications. Due to its strength and its association with depression, skin irritation and joint pain, patients taking isotretinoin should remain under close observation by a physician.
Step 4. Take precautions to prevent rosacea
Although rosacea is usually chronic, you can take steps to prevent it from occurring. The most common things to avoid are sun and wind exposure, emotional stress, intense training, hot or cold climates, and alcohol consumption.
Method 3 of 5: Treating Psoriasis
Step 1. Apply topical creams and ointments specific to psoriasis
Although psoriasis can be as chronic as rosacea, it can be controlled with the use of creams and other topical treatments. Topical creams and ointments can significantly reduce the visibility of psoriasis.
- Use salicylic acid. Salicylic acid works by regulating the exfoliation of psoriasis scales, although too much salicylic acid can lead to annoying side effects.
- Try steroid ointments. Steroid ointments are very effective in reducing inflammation, relieving itching and stopping the excessive production of psoriatic cells.
- Use calcipotriene. Calcipotriene, linked to vitamin D, is effective against psoriasis, especially when combined with corticosteroids. Use it only in moderation.
- Try retinoids. Retinoids contain a synthetic version of vitamin A, but are typically less effective and slower than other steroid ointments.
Step 2. Talk to your doctor about phototherapy
Phototherapy, in combination with topical ointments, consists of illuminating the skin in correspondence with the symptoms. Patients receive treatments three times a week for three months. This method has been proven effective and preferred by patients in many studies, although it carries a higher risk of skin cancer.
Step 3. Try some oral medications
Oral medications can be taken in combination with topical medications to stop the production of epithelial cells, a characteristic symptom of psoriasis. These oral medications include:
- Methotrexate. Although it is a chemotherapy drug, methotrexate has been shown to deliver exceptional results in patients with psoriasis. It can cause serious side effects, so regular blood tests will need to be done during treatment.
- Oral retinoids. Oral retinoids, like topical retinoids, contain a synthetic variant of vitamin E. For women, however, these drugs must be used in conjunction with birth control therapy for three years because they can cause birth defects in the fetus.
Step 4. Try other natural remedies for psoriasis
While scientifically proven drugs are often the most effective treatments for psoriasis, natural remedies can offer some benefits. Try the following:
- Aloe vera. Aloe vera performed slightly better than a placebo in a clinical trial for the treatment of psoriasis.
- Fish oil. Fish oil supplements taken by mouth can provide symptom relief.
- Solutions for bathrooms. Epsom salts, Dead Sea salts, oatmeal baths and mineral oils can be mixed in a single bath for a complete body treatment.
- Cayenne pepper. Capsaicin, which gives pepper its distinctive flavor, is also used in many pain relievers. Capsaicin applied to the skin can help reduce itching and skin lesions of people with psoriasis.
Method 4 of 5: Treating Eczema
Step 1. Reduce Stress
Like acne, eczema outbreaks are affected by stress. Reduce your overall stress levels and find healthy ways to vent it.
Step 2. Use hydrocortisone and steroid creams
Primarily used for mild eczema cases, hydrocortisone creams can help relieve redness and itching. In severe cases, steroid creams may be needed.
Step 3. Try an oral medication
Oral medications currently used by doctors to treat more severe cases of eczema include:
- Oral antihistamines. Many antihistamines can be purchased without a prescription.
- Corticosteroids. Taken especially if other treatments have not worked, corticosteroids should be taken under close medical supervision. Always follow directions to the letter when taking this type of medication.
Step 4. Try phototherapy
Phototherapy helps people with severe eczema. Doctors use ultraviolet light to slow down the production of skin cells, reducing redness.
Method 5 of 5: Cure a Sunstroke
Step 1. Cool the affected area to relieve the redness
Apply a cold compress to the skin and leave it until it reaches room temperature. Repeat as needed.
Step 2. Take frequent baths or showers
Soaking in a cold bath will help relieve the redness and pain caused by sunstroke.
Step 3. Apply aloe vera and hydrocortisone
Use pure aloe vera or a lotion that contains aloe vera topically. You can also use a 1% hydrocortisone cream topically. Avoid other creams, as their ingredients may retain heat in the skin, not reducing the redness.
Step 4. Try one of the many unverified home remedies
Treating sunburn redness takes time, but these unverified home remedies can help:
- Witch hazel
- Vinegar (mixed in a 1: 1 solution with water)
- Ointment with calendula
- Wet tea bags
Advice
- Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that can recur frequently. Many people who stay on treatment for more than two years can get rid of the redness.
- Keeping your skin moisturized will prevent it from drying out. Choose a good natural moisturizer. Try to avoid those that contain irritants.
Warnings
- To avoid allergic reactions, do not use hydrocortisone cream on children under the age of two unless under medical supervision.
- Do not use creams with hydrocortisone in the rectal or vaginal area.
