The skin is our living and dynamic organ with the largest volume, with parameters such as pH, sebum, temperature, capacitance (water holding capacity), transepidermal fluid loss and elasticity.
The skin surface pH is acidic and is between 5-5.5. Fatty acids, amino acids broken down by the catalytic activity of certain enzymes, and electrolyte transport play a role in the formation of skin surface pH. This is the acid mantle; Endogenous (unchangeable internal) factors such as transepidermal fluid losses of the skin, sebum, sweat, genetic structure, age and anatomical regions and diseases of the individual; The solvent may vary depending on exogenous (external) factors such as cosmetic products, topical antibiotics, alcohol-based and detergent.
The most important function of the layer called the epidermis, which forms the top layer of the skin, is to form the stratum corneum. The corneocyte cells in this layer have the property of holding water. This gives us the electrical capacitance. .Transepidermal fluid loss (we can say its moisture) is an indicator of the epidermal barrier function, that is, the protective feature of the skin, and refers to the amount of water lost from a certain skin area.
Body temperature is regulated by highly sensitive control mechanisms. However, conditions such as environmental temperature, clothes, diseases affecting the control mechanism in the brain and exercise, which cause the metabolic table to accelerate, can cause this temperature to change.
The use of products such as alcohol-based disinfectant or cologne, which entered our lives with the covid pandemic, and the frequency of hand washing have increased. This situation causes the changes in the skin parameters we have mentioned above and indirectly causes irritation and eczema tables such as dryness, burning, stinging, itching, redness in the body parts that we come into contact with, especially our hands. With the changing of the season and the colder weather, these complaints became even more severe.
So what can be done?
Particular attention should be paid to the use of alcohol-based products as needed. Hands should be rinsed with plenty of water whenever possible and moistened frequently. Especially when applying moisturizer immediately after washing, you will increase the absorption rate of the cream. In this regard, in the simplest sense, you can choose “vaseline”, which is easily accessible to everyone. If your complaints persist despite this, you can get support from a dermatologist.
