Showering with Sjogren’s

The cooler showers is true because I also have to take cooler showers as much as I love hot showers. I think each of us is different and they have to try different things. Zest has always been my soul and does not bother me and the only reason I’m using tea tree now because sometimes the itching is worse than others. I’m very thankful that we all have a way to share our ideas because we will eventually come across things that help us personally.

I had a Sjögren's flare up so bad that my skin was diagnosed with ICHTHYOSIS Vulgaris: Fish Scale skin! The two (Sjögren's & Myasthenia Gravis) together are a debilitating MONSTER! I was using SOS in the shower to smooth the scales! It was horrible!
To help with mouth dryness, I use all I can get my hands on. CellCept Rx works amazingly well! No More Dry Mouth! Talk 2 your doctor to see if it might work for you!

I also only shower 3-4 times a week, using tea tree body wash (generic) and it helps a lot. Also, it’s better to pat your skin dry rather than the usual rubbing or such. I actually let myself air dry most of my body. I live alone, so that way it doesn’t scare anybody before I get dressed. lol. I have Sjogren’s Syndrome, the ‘dry’ syndrome.

I see. I normally have plenty of saliva. In fact when at the dentist, i seem to need quite a bit of suction due to saliva pooling in my mouth.I will discuss it with my rheumatologist to see if I’m a candidate for a biopsy, since my blood test was negative.

Due to the lack of saliva, even with a lot of dental care, I lost all of my teeth. Most broke off at the gum line rather than coming out. The lack of saliva can’t be ignored, of course, but every patient has different stuff going on. For example, my daughter-in-law’s mother also has Sjogren’s Syndrome but she only has dry eyes and mouth and more than normal fatigue. Definitely work with your rheumatologist.
I am not an expert, but I was diagnosed in 2011 at 60 years old, and I am one that wants to learn everything I can about something. I stick with reputable sites like Mayo, Sjogren’s Foundation Newsletter, etc.

I don't produce tears either especially when crying. I feel it makes crying harder. It makes me sad that people think I am unemotional. I have been like this since childhood.

I’m really sorry about it for your sake because I know exactly how it feels. I couldn’t even cry when my husband of 52 years died and the pressure of that and other things build up till you wanna scream since you can’t cry. Please know that I understand, if that helps at all.

I haven't been diagnosed with Sjogrens, but I used to itch like crazy. I use a shower head filter and Kenkoderm soap from Amazon, and I'm no longer itching. I highly recommend trying these things!

Yes, super dry. I use a moisturizing shower gel. Another moisturizing lotion before I dry off. Then immediately after drying off, I use a moisturizer all over. Keep your water lukewarm. If I can skip a day I do.

I shower every day, sometimes twice per day on hot days. I only use warm water. I found hot or cold water makes me itch a lot. I heard a comment from a Dermatologist who said to pad-dry your whole body gently after a shower and apply a heavy cream (CeraVe) to seal in as much moisture as possible. I have been doing it almost for a year, and trust me, it is a game-changer. My go-to soap is Dove, the classic fragrance. My doctor recommended lathering only in the smelly areas of the body and avoiding any type of scrubbing. The shampoo that helps me the most is the Nizoral anti-dandruff.