Fig. 1
The mechanism of action of emollients
Table 1
Composition of emollients
| A component of emollients | Importance | Substances |
|---|---|---|
| Occlusive substances | Prevention of water loss through evaporation | Hydrocarbon oils (petrolatum, paraffin, mineral oils) Polyhydric alcohols (propylene glycol) Fatty alcohols (cetyl, stearyl, lanolin) Fatty acids (stearic, lanolin) Phospholipids (lecithin) Wax esters (lanolin) Sterols Waxes |
| Humectants | Binding of water molecules and retention within the stratum corneum | Glycerin (2–10%) Urea (2–5%) Sorbitol Lactic acid Propylene glycol Lactates Hydroxy acids Hyaluronic acid |
| Physiological epidermal lipids | Regulation of normal corneocyte differentiation | Unsaturated fatty acids Cholesterol Squalenes, Phospholipids Sterols Ceramides |
Fig. 2
42-year-old patient with chromium allergy working in construction: clinical features of psoriasis (oil spots on nails, severely demarked lesions) and eczema (dyshidrotic vesicles of the hand)
Table 2
Recommendations for the patient
| Clothing | avoiding clothes made of artificial fabrics that strongly compress and rub the skin (underwear, socks, belts) natural materials, airy (cotton), not disturbing sweating non-irritating jewelry |
| Beauty treatment | avoiding shaving with blunt shavers of facial hair and other hair avoiding wax depilation resignation from piercing, tattooing, permanent makeup avoiding hybrids and acrylics; nails should be short, evenly cut short or semi-long haircuts, resignation from dreads and attachments avoiding intensive lightening or dyeing hair, keratin treatments, perms avoiding Chinese cupping massage |
| Medical treatments | during active illness, avoiding needle aesthetic procedures or laser dermatology (pulsed dye laser, high-energy irradiation) resignation from acupuncture |
| Climatic factors | despite reported improvement of the disease after sun exposure, it is advisable to avoid intensive sunbathing, sunburn protection against frostbite |
| Occupational factors | career counseling avoiding contact with irritants and allergens the use of suitable gloves and tool protection to reduce mechanical injury or friction skin care program and barrier creams |