5 Skin Problems Caused by Hypothyroidism
5 Skin Problems Caused by Hypothyroidism
If you are suffering from hypothyroidism, your thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormones. This has an effect on the whole metabolism of the body and can also lead to uncomfortable skin issues caused by hypothyroidism.
While it is important to treat the skin issues directly, it really just treats the symptoms and not the cause of the issue. It is recommended to further follow a good hypothyroidism diet to fight the root of the cause. Let’s have a look at the most common forms of skin issues caused by hypothyroidism.
1. Dry or Itchy Skin
Even if you had an oily skin before, hypothyroidism can cause your skin to become overly dry. In extreme cases this can even lead to peeling or flaking which is also causing the skin to become itchier. Naturally, scratching will the condition even worse.
If you see your skin become dry or even to start cracking, treat yourself with a good moisturizer at least twice a day in the morning and before going to bed. It also helps to avoid too long hot showers.
2. Coarse Hair Due to Tightened Follicles
If you are suffering from a thyroid condition, chances are that your skin will also become less circulated. This can lead to a tightening of the skin that will also slowly “suffocate” the follicles in the epidermis. In extreme cases this can lead to coarse hair and hair loss.
Avoid this by massaging your skin while showering or giving your head a good massage when washing hair. Use circular motions to increase the blood circulation.
3. Thickened Skin Due to Circulation Issues
As just described, the lack of blood circulation can not only lead to dying follicles but also to thickened skin. This uncomfortable feeling usually starts first in arms, hands and legs, but can spread all over the body. Counter this by massages of the skin while in the shower or when moisturizing.
4. Uneven Skin Texture and Discolorations
The circulation issues caused by hypothyroidism paired with the resulting insufficient supply with nutrient can lead to discoloration and uneven skin texture. Additional weekly exfoliation treatments of the skin can help you to maintain a healthy appearance even with this condition.
Tip: There are many products that can be used in the shower. Gently massage the exfoliation product on the skin and you have your massage to increase the circulation and the exfoliation in one step.
5. Puffy Skin
In certain cases the thyroid condition will also further cause some cells and the skin to retain more water than normal. This can lead to a puffy appearance, mostly noticed around the eye area, on the hands, arms or legs.
This is usually a direct result of an imbalanced diet and too much salt intake. The best strategy is to follow he basics of a healthy thyroid diet to avoid skin issues caused by hypothyroidism.