Hello Folks . I posted a semi light hearted post two weeks ago 're : showering with a dressing : O Lord if I had only known that was the least of my worries ! The first time the dressing was removed I was horrified , it's marginally better after twice weekly dressings but still bleeding slightly . The nurse keeps saying how dry my skin is and I keep pointing out my age and the fact that thyroid problems have finished off what age hasn't , despite always applying moisturiser .
My question is , I can't apply anything under the dressing , is there anything I can take internally to strengthen my skin ? Thanks Pp
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Pinkpeony
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Iodine is great for both dry skin and healing, so I'd make sure I wasn't deficient. There's some information in this link and plenty elsewhere if you search:
I'm not sure that having dry skin means your skin isn't strong. About exactly the same time you had your accident - perhaps a bit before - my brother nearly cut his thumb off with a circular saw! He has the driest skin you can imagine, having had terrible eczema from birth, and his thumb was in a terrible mess. He was very, very worried his thumb was never going to heal - two weeks after the accident, it was still raw, bleeding meat! - and that, even if it did heal, it would never look like a thumb again. Well, when I spoke to him on Saturday, he sounded much much bouncier. It's healing! he said. Apparently, new skin had just suddenly started appearing, pulling his thumb back into a thumb-shape, and covering up the 'raw meat'. Obviously there will be a scar, but at least he will still have an opposable thumb.
Skin is magical stuff, with remarkable powers of recovery. So, I wouldn't worry too much if your skin is dry, if I were you.
Thanks gg . Like your brother I'm thinking that I will have an interesting scar lol , but considering I wear trousers all the time I guess that's not a problem . It's just the first time I've had a glimpse of what we're made of 😱
I have just finished antibiotics for what appears to be the requisite infection and another swab tomorrow . I seem to be moving slowly in the right direction . Thanks Gg
Hi..I have had dry skin, slow to heal, all my life. Here is what has helped me. If you are post menopausal, Google The Menopause Doctor's website. Dr Louise Newson is an advocate of HRT to improve the integrity of our tissues as we age. It has made a big difference to me. I watch my poor Mum struggle with thin dry skin on her shins. Her doctors won't prescribe HRT for her and if she knocks her legs she develops ulcers which take an age to heal. I take oestrogen and progesterone..and a small amount of testosterone. The latter also makes a difference to dry eyes..mouth and other parts too ; ) Zinc supplementation may help with skin healing. I notice that when I eat avocado and walnuts, they really help my skin feel softer. Finally, I live in a 'hard' water area, but when I stay somewhere with 'soft' water, my skin transforms. It may be worth installing a water softener if you have hard water. Best of luck!
Ok an odd answer but when I was pregnant 29 years ago my GP said "have you started drinking raspberry leaf tea?" She was on her 2nd pregnancy and said that as soon as she knows she's pregnant she starts drinking it it makes the skin more elastic she said! I was quite surprised I must admit I didn't expect a GP to be suggesting things like that! It may help I did drink it and it's ok and of course doesn't need milk/alternatives
Taking vitamin high dose vitamin D3, K2 and vitamin A (retinoids/palmitate type A ) cleared up my late Mums bad skinn on her legs, she had a skin graph and ulcers all cleared up in 6 months, nurse was surprised as it usually takes 18 months, she too had bandages on her legs for ages. All those vitamins are anti inflamatories and vitamin A is known to help clear up skin conditions like acne in teenagers. Not sure it works for everyone though.
If you are worried about scars be sure & keep the incision/damaged area out of the sun until completely healed. The Attending (physician) where I once worked said the sun can expand & discolor incisions.
Clarrisa I'm not worried about a scar it's above the ankle bone and won't be prominent . I just wondered if there was anything that I could take that would stimulate the skin healing process . Thanks Pp
Not sure if this would help you’d need to look into it more.
But my daughter was in a serious traffic accident as a pedestrian and had several operations scaring etc. Her plastic surgeon advised silicone gel that they use for skin grafting etc to reduce scars and heal skin.
My daughter got it in gel form which you have to wait until the skin has healed over to apply. But there is also silicone sheets for skin grafts to aid the healing process (just not on an open wound). Might be a shot in the dark but might help.
We got ours on prescription as she had facial scarring from a wound, but amazon sell the same product and quite a number of silicone sheets / products x
Thank you . It will be a long time I think before anything can be applied to the wound . I had a dressing change today and its still bleeding after nearly three weeks . Helvella mentioned a glue that was used for him and I think I will ask about that . Regards Pp
My understanding of an open wound is to leave it alone and let it heal. The major issue is keeping it free from infection.
A scar might not be a problem as far as cosmetics are concerned but they are a problem to the movement of the body because of adhesions and fascia constriction. Abdominal scars are the worst for this. Some of my fellow scarworkers are now working in hospitals on scars caused by breast surgery; as these are being studied it is hoped that this treatment will become standard.
Facial scars can usually be minimised with Scar Work. Any Scarwork can only be done on completely healed scar tissue; it does not matter how old the scar is, it will still respond to treatment. I am not seeking work as I have as much as I can handle but I’m happy to look on the Scarworker list to see if there is someone near you, if you would like. Do PM me if you do.
I’m lucky in that my skin did not really suffer during my decades of untreated hypothyroidism but then it was oily to start with. I now make my own soap as ‘commercial’ soap has too many additives which are not necessary. My husband used to have patches of dry skin but since using my soap these have gone.
Hi Pinkpeony I’ve just thought of you as I’m putting a new post on and it helps wounds heal faster. Take a look and see if you’ve a centre nearby as it could help.
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Skin problems - linked to Levothyroxine?
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