Dry Skin: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and
Prevention
Dry skin (xerosis cutis) is a
widespread disorder, which appears when the skin is not moist enough. It may
cause flakiness, itchiness, redness, and cracking in extreme cases. Although
dry skin is usually a short-term problem, it might also be a long-term one
under the conditions of severe climate or the presence of medical issues.
The present article will discuss the
causes, signs, treatments and prevention strategies of dry skin, and some
expert advice that will help you maintain your skin moisturized and smooth.
Table of Contents
1. What is Dry Skin?
2. Dry Skin Symptoms
3. Causes of Dry Skin Common
4. Predisposing Factors of Dry Skin
5. Dry Skin Medical Conditions
6. Dry Skin diagnosis
7. Good Remedies to Dry Skin
8. Home Treatments of Dry Skin
9. Tips of Prevention of Dry Skin
10.When to See Doctor
11.Conclusion
1. What is Dry
Skin?
Dry skin is a condition that does not
allow the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) to hold sufficient amounts of
water. Natural oils (sebum) are secreted by the skin and they seal moisture. Once
these oils are absent, the skin dries and gets rough and at times inflamed.
Dry skin may happen on any part and
the most common areas include:
·
Hands
·
Feet
·
Arms
·
Legs
·
Face
(particularly around the cheeks and the forehead)
Although dry skin is normally
non-harmful, an extreme case can cause complications such as eczema or
infection through cracking.
2. Symptoms of
Dry Skin
The symptoms and signs of dry skin
differ with age, health and environmental conditions. The typical symptoms are:
·
Hard or scaly
feel
·
Itching
(pruritus)
·
Rubines or
itchiness
·
Stiffness,
particularly, following a wash
·
minute fissures
or cracks
·
Drying up or
peeling off skin
·
Bleeding of
severe cases
Without treatment, dry skin may cause
eczema (atopic dermatitis), bacterial infection or cellulitis.
3. Common Causes
of Dry Skin
Dry skin is caused by a number of
factors such as the environment, lifestyles, and biological factors.
Environmental
Causes
·
Bad weather - Dry weather and cold winds deprive the skin
of moisture.
·
Hot showers - long duration under hot water strips of
natural oils.
·
Dry air (indoor heating/air conditioning) -
Artificial climate controlling dries the air.
·
Exposure to
sun - UV rays destroy skin barriers
resulting to dehydration.
Lifestyle &
Biological Factors
·
Aging - As we grow old, skin produces less oil.
·
Drying soaps
and detergents - Most cleaners
have sulfates that dehydrate the skin.
·
Dehydration- Lack
of water consumption influences the hydration of the skin.
·
Bad eating
habits - Deficiency of fatty acids (Omega-3)
and vitamins (A, C, E).
·
Over-exfoliation
- Excessive scrubbing gets rid of
protective skin layers.
4. Risk Factors
for Dry Skin
Dry skin tends to happen more easily
to some people because of:
·
Genetics - The family members have a history of eczema
or psoriasis.
·
Occupation - Occupations that need regular hand washing
(healthcare, cleaning).
·
Swimming - The chlorine used in swimming pools dries the
skin.
·
Skin
conditions - Psoriasis,
hypothyroidism and diabetes make it drier.
5. Medical
Conditions Associated with Dry Skin
The chronic dry skin can be a sign of
a health problem including:
·
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Red, itchy and inflamed
skin.
·
Psoriasis- Scaly lesions caused by a faster
proliferation of skin cells.
·
Hypothyroidism: The low level of thyroid hormone decreases
sweating and the production of oil.
·
Diabetes-The high blood sugar causes poor circulation
and dry skin.
·
Kidney
Disease Itchiness and dryness because of the
accumulation of toxins.
When dry skin continues to bother us
even after the treatment seek the help of a dermatologist.
Read Also: - How to Reduce Pores: Effective Tips for Smoother Skin
6. Diagnosis of
Dry Skin
Dry skin is in most instances
self-diagnosed. Nevertheless, a physician can carry out:
·
Physical
examination - Redness, cracks
or scaling.
·
History of
the disease: Medical review-
Diagnosis of underlying conditions.
·
Skin biopsy - Hardly required, but performed in case of
suspected autoimmune disorder.
7. Effective
Treatments for Dry Skin
Depending on the severity, treatment
is done. The most common ones are:
Medical
Treatments
·
Emollients
and occlusives (Moisturizers)
o Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) Moisturizes it in.
o Creams containing Ceramide Repair skin
barrier.
o Hyaluronic acid serums- Hydrate the skin by
drawing water.
·
Topical
Steroids (Hydrocortisone cream) decrease the
inflammation in the eczema.
·
Prescription
ointments- In severe cases (e.g. lactic acid or
urea-based creams).
Over-the-Counter
(OTC) Products
·
Lotions that
are fragrance-free (CeraVe,
Eucerin)
·
Creams made
of oatmeal (Aveeno) - Relieve itching.
·
Antihistamines
(Benadryl) - itching at
night.
8. Home Remedies
for Dry Skin
Mother nature can rehydrate:
·
Coconut oil- Seven coconut oil is a natural emollient,
which moisturizes the skin.
·
Aloe vera
gel- Relaxes irritation and seals in
moisture.
·
Honey- A moisturizer that locks in water on the
skin.
·
Oatmeal
baths- This relieves itching and
inflammation.
·
Drinking
more water- Water skin
internally.
9. Prevention
Tips for Dry Skin
Prevention of dry skin implies
lifestyle changes:
Daily Skincare
Routine
ü Warm bath-
Do not use hot water when bathing.
ü Use moisturizer after the bath- Seals in moisture.
ü Use mild fragrance-free cleansers - No sulfates.
ü Wear gloves
when it is harsh, cold weather- Always wear gloves to protect hands against
chapping.
Diet &
Hydration
ü Consume omega-3 foods rich foods- Salmon, walnuts,
flaxseeds.
ü Eat more vitamins in the form of citrus fruits, leafy green
vegetables, and nuts.
ü Hydrate yourself- Take a minimum of 8 glasses of water every
day.
Environmental
Adjustments
ü Use a humidifier -Put moisture in the dry indoor air.
ü No direct exposure to heat- Stay out of radiators.
ü Use sunscreen daily- Prevents damage by UV.
10. When to See a
Doctor
You should go to a doctor in case:
·
The skin
turns red, swollen or infected.
·
Bleeding or
oozing of pus is seen in the cracks.
·
Itching
disturbs sleep or day to day activities.
·
Home
treatments do not help in dry skin.
11. Conclusion
Dry skin is a frequent, though
controllable disorder. It is possible to keep the skin soft and hydrated by
learning its causes and having a healthy skincare regime. When the symptoms do
not go away, it is advisable to visit a dermatologist to exclude underlying
conditions.
Key Takeaways
·
Dry skin is
caused by loss of moisture in the skin because of environmental, lifestyle or
medical reasons.
·
It is
characterized by itching, flaking, redness and cracks.
·
Medications
are moisturizers, medical creams, and home remedies.
·
The
prevention is hydration, sound diet, and avoiding skin exposure to harsh
conditions.
These directions will help you to have
healthy and glowing skin throughout the year.
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