Dealing with prolonged symptoms of dry skin, hair, eyes, and mouth can feel like a losing battle. Not to mention the toll it can take on your health. Understanding how Sjogren’s affects your hydration level and what being “dry”(dehydrated) can do to your body.
For example, prolonged dry mouth causes tooth decay by creating a breeding ground for cavities/gum disease due to harmful acids, leftover food, and plaque being left on teeth. This post will cover what could be causing your dryness, how to prevent it, and what you can do today to reduce flares and dryness from Sjogren’s.
*DISCLAIMER:All content and information on this website including our programs, products and/or services is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical, psychological or health advice of any kind and we do not warrant that the information presented herein is free of any errors or omissions. We are only sharing our experiences.
DISCLAIMER– We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to www.amazon.com. We will receive a commission if you make a purchase through our affiliate link at no extra cost to you.
WHAT’S CAUSING ALL THE DRYNESS:
With Sjogren’s, the body’s immune system is attacking your secretory glands which reduce secretions. Reduced secretions then lead to pain and irritation that is dryness.
HOW TO PREVENT DRYNESS:
The key to preventing Sjoren’s flares is stopping them before they get a chance to start. Which consists of lifestyle changes like; avoiding inflammatory foods and eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated throughout the day, limiting alcohol, limiting caffeine intake, being prepared with lubricating eye drops, using a humidifier at night, swapping conventional lotions for natural alternatives, and opting for cold showers. (cold showers improve circulation and help cells to retain moisture)
HOW TO BEAT DRYNESS ONCE AND FOR ALL:
Focus on hydration:
-hydrate throughout the day each and every day, NO DAYS OFF!!
-being hydrated comes down to; drinking enough water, using coconut water and electrolyte drinks when more than water is needed, limit alcohol consumption, limit vaping and smoking, and limiting sugary drinks.
-Have trouble keeping up with how much water you need to drink? Get a large reusable water bottle and carry it everywhere you go! Seeing how much you have to drink in a day helps keep me on track.
RELIEVING DRY SKIN:
-STAY HYDRATED, if you’re not drinking enough water. Causing you to be dry on the inside then you’ll be a dry lil raisin on the outside!!
-Take fish oil daily
-Opt for COLD or COOL water when showering and washing your face. Hot showers strip away the body’s natural oils from your skin. Cold showers constrict vessels for a short time and improve circulation! Click HERE for a great article on the benefits of cold showers!
-Some store bought moisturizers can end up drying out your skin making your symptoms worse. Click HERE to read more. There are some store bought lotions that are good, just look for lotions free from fragrances, dyes, and chemicals. Look for lotions that have a short ingredients list, and natural ingredients listed. Not a long list of unregulated chemicals. What you choose to slather all over your body’s biggest organ(your skin) matters. Think of your skin like a sponge; what you put on your skin is directly absorbed into your body.
-For a quick natural option you can use coconut oil, just slather on after your shower and pat dry.
-If you’d like to make your own body butter at home. Click HERE for one of my favorite recipes I regularly use!
-Use silk or satin pillowcases and sheets. These materials help retain your skins moisture, also helps with hair dryness and breakage by letting hair retain natural oils, and help combat fine lines and wrinkles.
RELIEVING DRY MOUTH:
-STAY HYDRATED, Sip water throughout the day.
-Have good oral hygiene, we’ve all slipped a time or two but you need to get serious about your oral hygiene and make a daily routine you can stick to. Aim to floss, brush, and use a natural tooth and gum tonic morning and night.
-You might want to look at investing into a electronic toothbrush. When in flares hand strength can be reduced. Making every day routines physically taxing. My dentist recommended trying a electronic toothbrush, and water pic. Click here to check out the one I use.
-Start oil pulling! Use a good quality coconut oil. Click HERE to check out the one I use!
-Take your vitamins!! Vitamins for good oral health include: Wild caught cod liver fish oil, vitamin d with k2, and a live probiotic. Always make sure you are researching the vitmains you take to insure they are quality.
-opting for mints that stimulate salivary glands instead of gum. My favorite brand of mints is FLINTS, they are plant-based, and really work!
-For a quick fix to get rid of dry mouth overnight try XyliMelts. They last for up to 8 hours. I never have issues with dry mouth at night anymore!
-Opt for a natural tooth and gum tonic instead of mouthwash – Click HERE to check out the one I swear by.
RELIEVING DRY EYES:
-Stay hydrated
-Wash your eyes with a mild soap and water daily
-Don’t sleep in eye makeup
-Use a washcloth or OCuSOFT (I use and love them!) a few times a week at the lash line to lightly exfoliate dead skin at the lashline (buildup can block and reduce your natural secretions that lubricate and protect your eyes)
-Use lubricating eye drops as needed. Click HERE to check out my favorite brand, these are some that I can genuinely tell a difference with when I use them, they are also free of preservatives!
Combating dryness from Sjogren’s is possible! You just have to stay on top of it by taking preventative measures. To help you along your journey I have made multiple free printables that help you keep track of your new lifestyle changes. You can customize them for your needs! They are located under the free resource library tab! Click HERE to be directed there!
