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Many individuals suffer from sensitive and dry skin because the protective oily barrier on their skin's surface (a thin oily film on top of the skin) is cracked. Genes, allergies, premature aging, or excessive sun bathing can all lead to cracks in that protective layer.

Skin irritants such as cold temperature, artificial clothing, and chemical ingredients contained in most hair care products and skin creams become a bigger threat to the skin when its structure is weakened.

In addition, this can trigger various skin diseases such as dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea and eczema.

Eczema

Eczema is characterized by itchy, dry, scaly and red areas on the skin. About 10-20% of the world's population suffers from eczema. There are people, especially children, who report extreme pain from eczema and an overwhelming desire to scratch their affected skin. Oozing pus infected pustules can be a result of the worst cases of eczema. Skin can become permanently damaged.

Eczema and Sports

People with eczema seem to suffer more when working out. When there is high humidity this is especially true.

A natural reaction, sweating works to lower a person's body heat. Eczema is triggered by sweat because of the salt which dehydrates the skin.

Here is a list of other factors in sports that can irritate the skin:

- Team sports t-shirts: synthetic materials make the skin sweat more

- Taking a hot shower after sweating: the skin becomes drier with hot water

- Shampoo and soap which is chemically based: dries out the skin even more

- Swimming pools: the chlorine causes further skin irritation

- Bacteria and other microorganisms found in the locker rooms: cause infection of the already damaged skin

- Bad skin care: excessive showering, or not showering enough, and being too rough with a towel can all lead to skin damage

Dry Skin Relief

1. Lessen the amount of time you spend exercising.

2. Switch to activities which do not cause so much sweating, such as pilates.

3. Do your exercise in places that are ventilated and low in humidity.

4. Stick to natural skin care products. These types of products will impede further irritation.

The most powerful thing you can do without giving up exercise completely is to use only natural products.

The key to natural skin care is all natural yet potent ingredients. For dry skin relief choose products with naturally moisturizing elements such as rose hip oil. Known in South America for decades as 'rosa mosqueta', rose hip oil has been used to moisturize the driest skin. An excellent choice for an eczema treatment would include rose hip oil and a regenerative substance to stimulate new cell growth in damaged skin. Remember, natural products which don't contain powerful natural elements do not work, so choose wisely.