People all around the globe suffer daily from dry skin, also known as xerosis. It is estimated that millions of people have dry skin, but very few will seek out the help of a doctor or dermatologist. This is because for most individuals, dry skin can be easily treated in the privacy of their home with the use of over-the-counter lotions and dry skin products.
However, dry skin has a variety of causes. It is important for the affected individual to know what may be causing their dry skin. Symptoms for dry skin are extremely similar so it may be difficult to determine the true cause of an individual’s dry skin. Today, there are a variety of lotions and over-the-counter, as well as prescribed medications, that can help relieve dry skin.
Causes of Dry Skin
There are several reasons for an individual to have dry skin:
- Clothing that is too tight or causes a reaction of the skin, which often results in itchy, dry skin.
- Soaps that are too harsh and dry out the skin
- Hot showers (often combined in harsh soaps,) deplete natural oils and lipids in the skin usually creating a dry, tight feeling of the skin.
- Swimming pools with heavy chlorine that deplete natural moisture in the skin
- Improper use of moisturizers, in which an individual irritates the skin through the use of several different lotions or creams in search of a dry skin cure.
- Repeated sunburns, sun exposure or lack of proper sunscreen use, in which heat dries out the skin.
- Chapped skin which can (and often) occurs during dry or cool months.
In addition to these, there are also several medical reasons for an individual to have dry skin, including:
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- Hypothyroidism
- Malnutrition
- Diabetes
- Certain medications that may cause skin reactions.
Symptoms of Dry Skin
Symptoms of xerosis include:
- Itchy patches of skin, sometimes accompanied by a red appearance.
- Skin that is flaky or peels.
- Scaly patches of skin.
- Cracked skin that may occasionally bleed.
- Skin that feels tight, usually after swimming or bathing.
Where Does Dry Skin Usually Appear
Dry skin can appear nearly anywhere on the body. Most often, dry patches are felt on the feet, legs, hands and arms, as well as the abdomen. However, dry skin can be found anywhere on the body which includes the face (even the eyelids,) the scalp and so forth.
Treatments for Dry Skin
Most people can treat their dry skin with over-the-counter products. There are a variety of products for dry skin including lotions, creams, moisturizers and medicated treatments available at a local drugstore. However, it’s possible to worsen dry skin by irritating it with too many different products or improper moisturizing.
Seeing a Doctor for Dry Skin
Occasionally, an individual can experience a case of severe dry skin. Symptoms of severely dried out skin include larger than normal patches of scaly skin, infections caused by open sores that were repeated scratched, and so forth.
If dry skin persists, it’s best to seek out the help and advice of a dermatologist on how to cure dry, irritated skin.
