"I'm worried about itching and eczema, but I wonder if menopause has something to do with it?" During menopause, skin problems such as itching and eczema are said to occur, which are related to the decrease in female hormones. In this article, we will explain the causes and treatment of itching and eczema that occur during menopause. If you are suffering from itching or eczema, please read to the end and refer to it.
Find out in this article
- What is menopause
- menopausal skin symptoms
- Causes of itching and eczema during menopause
- How to deal with itching and eczema
- If you want to improve as soon as possible
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What is menopause
Menopause is defined as the period of five years before and after menopause. It is known that during menopause, the ovarian function declines and female hormones decrease, making it easier for women to experience mental and physical changes. The average age of menopause in Japan is 50 years old, so although there are individual differences , women aged 45 to 55 often go through menopause . Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation. Menopause is a period of transition from sexual maturity, when female hormones are active, to old age, when female hormones are minimal, and is a time of great physical and mental changes.
menopausal skin symptoms
Skin symptoms that occur during menopause include "dry skin," "itching," "decreased skin firmness," and "hyperhidrosis" 1). Female hormones have functions such as collagen production, moisture retention, and sebum secretion promotion. Therefore, when female hormones decrease during menopause, skin elasticity and firmness are lost, and dry skin and itching may be seen. These skin symptoms are one of the aging phenomena, but in women, they seem to be related to the decline of female hormones. In addition, the decrease in female hormones may affect the balance of the autonomic nerves, causing symptoms such as excessive sweating and hot flashes.
Causes of itching and eczema during menopause
The main cause of itching and eczema that occurs during menopause is considered to be dryness. In addition to aging, it is said that when female hormones decrease, the ability to retain moisture weakens, causing skin dryness and eczema . Dry skin weakens the barrier function that protects the skin, making it more susceptible to external stimuli. As a result, even a small stimulus makes it easier to feel itching. However, in addition to dryness, itching may also be caused by insect bites, worn clothing, stress, and systemic illness.
How to deal with itching and eczema
Dryness is the main cause of itching and eczema during menopause. Therefore, it is important to be conscious of moisturizing measures, especially for dry skin, in daily life. Here are some common remedies for itching and eczema. Meals Moisturizing Bathing Sleep UV protection Kampo
meal
In order to maintain healthy skin, it is important to avoid foods that cause skin problems and to eat a well-balanced diet. In particular, lack of vitamins can cause skin problems2 ). Be careful not to lack nutrients that are good for preventing skin problems, such as the following.
- Vitamins such as vitamins A, B group, C, and E
- Minerals such as zinc and iron
- Antioxidants such as polyphenols
moisturizing
Don't forget to moisturize. Dry skin causes itchiness, so please be aware of the following moisturizing care in your daily life. Moisturizing care after taking a bath is especially important. Applying a moisturizer while your body is still damp will help lock moisture into your skin. Moisturize with moisturizing cream or baby powder Pay attention to dryness in the room and pay attention to humidification
bathing
There are a few things to keep in mind when taking a bath to prevent your skin from drying out. Avoid hot baths and long baths
- don't over wash
- Do not rub your body strongly with a bath towel
- Don't forget to moisturize after taking a bath
sleep
Lack of sleep or poor sleep quality can lead to skin problems. In addition to external stimuli such as cold weather, ultraviolet rays, and over-washing, the barrier function that causes dryness is also degraded due to internal factors. Lack of sleep is one of the factors from the inside. In addition, if menopausal symptoms cause nighttime hot flashes and night sweats, many people have a light sleep. If you feel sleep deprived, let's try to secure enough sleep time and trim the sleep environment.
UV protection
The stimulation of UV rays damages the barrier function of the skin and causes dry skin. Therefore, daily UV protection is important. Please be aware of the following UV protection measures.
- Apply sunscreen frequently
- wear a hat or use a parasol
- Avoiding exposure to the sun indoors as well as outdoors
- Avoid going out during times when UV rays are strong
Kampo
It is known to be compatible with herbal medicines for menopausal symptoms, and there are also herbal medicines that are used for itching and eczema. According to traditional Chinese medicine, itching and eczema are classified into strong itchy type, tingling type, and dry type. Tokiinshi is often used for dry, itchy skin. Tokiinshi is effective for chronic eczema (those with little secretion) and itching for those who suffer from poor circulation. Even if you use it, it is necessary to assess the intensity and manifestation of symptoms.
If you want to improve as soon as possible
Painful itching and eczema that occur during menopause. When itching and eczema continue, you feel like scratching, and you want to do something about it as soon as possible. However, there are many things that do not go away even if you pay attention to frequent moisturizing measures and lifestyle habits. Finally, I will show you what to do if you want to improve as soon as possible.
try herbal medicine
There are four ways to obtain herbal medicine. Choose a method that suits you.
- buy at drugstore
- Buy at Chinese medicine pharmacies
- Get a prescription at a medical institution
- Shop online
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Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe
If severe eczema or itching worsens, or if you have itchiness without other skin symptoms, seek appropriate treatment at a medical institution. Itching may be caused by systemic diseases, so be especially careful of itching that is not accompanied by skin symptoms such as eczema or redness. In addition to itching, it is recommended to consult a medical institution if there are symptoms of concern such as swelling, hot flashes, and easy sweating that interfere with daily life.
summary
In this article, we have explained the causes and treatments for itching and eczema that occur during menopause. There are four points I would like to make.
- Menopause is a time when female hormones decrease, so physical and mental changes are likely to occur.
- Skin symptoms that occur during menopause include dryness, itching, loss of skin firmness, and excessive sweating.
- Dryness is the main cause of itching and eczema that occur during menopause.
- If you want to improve as soon as possible, consider visiting a medical institution or using Chinese medicine.
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References
1) Japanese Society of Women's Medicine. Women's Medical Guidebook Menopause Medicine 2019 Edition.2019
2) Cao C et al. Diet and Skin Aging-From the Perspective of Food Nutrition. 2020
3) Tsumura Co., Ltd. Tsumura Tokiinko extract granules (for medical use).2013
