On going dehydration - what to do?

Tygermoth

Hi guys,

Normally I am very well hydrated as I do hot yoga so usually have loads of water over the day. My skin is normally well behaved and rather good for my age. Mature skin, let’s say

However I have had a nasty bug and got a bit dehydrated as I was having issues with queasiness as well as associated diarrhoea (This was about six/seven weeks ago) and foolishly went back to Bikram before fully recovering.

I don’t think I had fully hydrated because this week I have noticed the skin on the back of my hands looks like its aged ten years and the small crows feet around my eyes have become canyons, my arms look like crazy paving (small lines) and my shins have gone lined and shiny, in a bad way, not the plump glossy way.:D

What’s weird is I have been drinking well since the tummy bug (bare minimum of 2lts over the day but normaly more) but I don’t seem to have regained any hydration back into my skin.

I have nasty dry patches over my shins and my normal (coconut oil after shower) moisturising routine just doesn’t seem to be cutting it. I have resorted to e45 for the last few nights to get rid of the dry itchy feeling of my skin.

How long would you expect it to take to recover to full hydration? I take omega 3 fish oil (but only just started two weeks ago) a multi vit and zinc. I have a varied and full diet though do keep carbs down and protein up. No medical issues and normaly fit n healthy.

I am a little concerned as my skin is looking rather washed out and does not seem to be perking back up.

Any ideas?

mumonashoestring

Don't forget your body needs to absorb the water you drink effectively in order for it to have it's full benefit - if you've had a really vicious tummy bug your gut is probably still a bit out of kilter and not working as efficiently as normal. It should balance out with time but you can help it out a bit with a light healthy diet with a balance of salts and sugars to keep your electrolyte levels up

Tygermoth

Thanks mumonashoestring.

However its been six weeks of normal drinking, would you still expect to see dehydration?

Fire_Fox

Water alone does not hydrate you, you need a variety of proteins, carbs, essential fatty acids and minerals to help the body/ skin absorb and hold water. Review your whole diet, check the balance. Short term, research suggests milk is better than water for helping the body hold water.

If you are lower carb I don't understand why you need fish oils - you should be eating plenty of oily fish and seafood if you are eating a balanced lower carb diet. Also should be having loads of nuts and seeds to replace minerals lost from not having as much wholegrains, beans and lentils, don't underestimate how much you need. If you aren't having these then you may find you are being too restrictive.

Why multi with zinc? Why not a complete multi with a balance of ALL the vitamins and minerals the body needs for health? One is not more important than another, they work synergistically and in opposition you can do more harm than good by supplementing small groups without considering the individual diet and health issues.

Also consider that the horny surface layer of skin is dead, that needs to removed and replaced by healthy skin before you will see results from any change of diet which can take time. Coconut oil doesn't supply the fatty acids needed for healthy skin, it will do little more than act as a barrier protecting your skin from your shower gel and shampoo.

You may find better results from switching to a gentle sulphate free shower gel (eg. NaturallyThinking based on cocoamidopropyl betaine), not washing too frequently (soaking with water removes the skin's natural moisturising factors) so consider strip washing the smelly parts some days. Moisturise with a product containing ceramides, egg lecithin, west African shea butter or medical grade lanolin.