Showering with Sjogren’s
I wonder if anyone had input on how often to shower with Sjogren’s. I know that dry skin often leads some to shower less, and I have found I itch more when I shower every day. So, how does one deal with that?
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I still shower everyday but have added dry brushing before showering and a thicker lotion to my daily routine. So far no dryness or itching….
I've been showering every other day and either washing or using baby wipes on pits and privates. I am 75 years old and grew up with doing this with a bath once a week. For the past couple of years this has worked for me. I have asked close friends, my female doctor, and even my hygienist if I smell "old" so far I'm good.
I also use a moisturizing cleansing bar instead of soap and a moisturizer as soon as I towel pat dry.
Have you looked into Aquagenic Pruritus? Itch from water contact…within a few minutes of getting out of the shower, my arms and legs itch severely. If this sounds familiar to you, you may want to look at the Aquagenic Puritas a support Facebook group.
Several years ago, someone there discovered that when they Took their pre-workout supplement, they didn’t itch. They isolated it to beta alanine, which is an over the counter amino acid supplement. I take 1500 mg 20 minutes before showering and I have a little to no itch.
Thanks…I’ll check it out.
WHY IS THE ITCH SO SEVERE. IS THAT A SEVERE AUTO IMMUNE INDICATION?
Seems like you have had some helpful replies. No itching . I use some kind of Cerave hydrating cleaner.
Try using cooler water. Also I found that if I use a water softener, I don’t itch as much, as long as it had NO additives. Once, I filled it with “iron deposit fighting ingredients”, and ended up having to take it aaalllllll out.
Does everyone with Sjogren’s have dry skin? I’m awaiting evaluation and just curious. I’ve always had average skin. Not too oily and not really dry. I do use Cerve cream for psoriasis on my arms and legs, which I have in flares.
One of Sjogren’‘s things is that your body does not produce enough liquid. I have dry skin dry hair, dry eyes (I can’t even produce tears when I need to cry ), dry everything. I use Tea Tree shampoo and conditioners and it is helped my hair tremendously. I also use tea tree body wash in the shower. When I have itchy skin eye lotion it heavily with a good moisturizing lotion. Talk to your rheumatologist about it.
Cooler water and keep the shower time short. I use spray sunburn aloe on my back and other itchy areas. Mine is not eczema; I would use Eucerine anti-itch for eczema if so. Also, I do well with Zest, not so well with Irish Spring. And, if you are at the beach, salt water is pretty great for skin.