Whilst they can be very distressing, skin problems are rarely serious. If too oily, the skin should be washed with a neutral pH soap and cleansed twice daily in warm water followed with a rinse in cold water. For make-up and moisturisers, water-based gels are preferable to oil-based creams. In cases of extreme seborrhoea, where the skin becomes red, flaky and itchy, a cream containing sulphur and salicylic acid, or a lotion containing an adrenocorticotrophic (steroid) hormone may be prescribed. A coal tar shampoo may also be useful for the forehead and eyebrows. Your doctor or a dermatologist will be able to help with these.
Special lotions and shampoos are available from pharmacists for dandruff or flaky skin and products that contain selenium or selenium sulphide are particularly effective, although there are some concerns that prolonged use of these may increase the risk of baldness. It is best to check with your doctor if you use the products for a period of time.
If you find that you do not sweat much, it is important to avoid getting too hot, as you do not have the body’s natural defence of perspiration to keep the body cool. Remain in the shade in hot weather, wear light clothes and remember not to exert yourself too much. Keep skin moisturised with an emollient ointment or cream.
If you perspire excessively, then take frequent showers, wear cotton clothes and be sure to drink plenty to replace the fluids lost in perspiration. Antiperspirants are advised only for those who perspire a lot as they can block the essential perspiration of those who perspire very little. (Note: there is a difference between antiperspirants and deodorants. Antiperspirants reduce the release of sweat, deodorants mask any unpleasant smell. In fact, sweat does not have an odour - it is only sweaty clothes that are not changed that may become smelly.
For those who experience night sweats, light, cotton bedding is preferable. Whilst satin sheets may be recommended to make turning in bed easier, satin can increase sweat so should be avoided if night sweats occur. It may be helpful also to sleep in a separate bed so as to avoid disturbing a partner. Always keep a glass of water beside the bed to replace lost fluids.
