I'm Drying Up

[PatsGirl]

First it was my hair. I had it lightened about 8 weeks ago and it is so dry that I can't do anything with it except put it up. I've deep-conditioned it several times but nothing is doing the trick. I am now seriously considering chopping off a few inches just to get rid of some of the frizz...

Several weeks ago I noticed how dry and scaley my hands were getting. I work in healthcare so I am constantly washing them but then I use lotion alot as well. They are getting split they are so dry now and actually hurt and turn red when I put lotion on.

Now for the past several days my sinuses have been severely dry, to the point that I thought my nose would bleed last night. WTH is going on here????

 

[golfgal]

Have you had your thyroid checked lately?

 

[Mermaid02]

First it was my hair. I had it lightened about 8 weeks ago and it is so dry that I can't do anything with it except put it up. I've deep-conditioned it several times but nothing is doing the trick. I am now seriously considering chopping off a few inches just to get rid of some of the frizz...

Several weeks ago I noticed how dry and scaley my hands were getting. I work in healthcare so I am constantly washing them but then I use lotion alot as well. They are getting split they are so dry now and actually hurt and turn red when I put lotion on.

Now for the past several days my sinuses have been severely dry, to the point that I thought my nose would bleed last night. WTH is going on here????

I could have written this post.... my hands are so dry it's frightening.

 

[PatsGirl]

I have not had my thyroid checked in several years when I discovered that I couldn't lose 5#/week from not eating pasta No, seriously, I was having a hell of a time losing weight so the doctor did a test and it came back normal. How does thyroid affect skin/hair? Truly, this "dryness" is all new to me. My hairdresser (DS) can't explain my hair and has tried everything to repair it and I would have expected the dryness of my skin to increase with age not just appear overnight

 

[golfgal]

I have not had my thyroid checked in several years when I discovered that I couldn't lose 5#/week from not eating pasta No, seriously, I was having a hell of a time losing weight so the doctor did a test and it came back normal. How does thyroid affect skin/hair? Truly, this "dryness" is all new to me. My hairdresser (DS) can't explain my hair and has tried everything to repair it and I would have expected the dryness of my skin to increase with age not just appear overnight

Your thyroid pretty much controls everything and one symptom is dry skin and hair. I would get into an endocrinologist and have them do a full panel of thyroid tests. Just having your TSH checked isn't enough.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Echoing the need for a thyroid test. Very common condition (and FYI the "fix" is just taking a pill every day. Sometimes annoying to get the dosage to the right level, but no big bad horrible Treatment to worry about. )

 

[PatsGirl]

Thanks Golfgal, I'm due for my annual so I'll talk to the doc about it, she's really good about letting me have input in my own healthcare and trusting my instincts so I'm sure she'd okay any tests I wanted.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Check your blood glucose levels too (a good endo will do it all). A sign of diabetes is dry skin and hair.

Also, it's the end of a long winter and from your location that could be the simple answer, eh? Winter wreaks havoc on skin and hair with the dry heat, and lack of moisture in the air.

Try an old treatment for your poor hands. Slather them with some strong, effective lotion, or even petroleum jelly and put on old cotton gloves overnight. It just may help!

 

[PatsGirl]

If sugar levels can affect my skin/hair, might my diet have anything to do with it? I've been on Medifast now for six weeks and was on the same diet for three months July/Aug/Sept. I eat more sugar than I should (or rather drink it in my wine) for the parameters of the diet but maybe this is a logical answer???