Dry skin can be rough, itchy, scaly, or scaly.

Where these dry patches form varies from person to person. This is a common condition that affects people of all ages.

Dry skin, also known as xerosis or xerosis, has many causes, including cold or dry weather, sun damage, harsh soaps, and excessive bathing.

 

Symptoms Of Dry Skin

Dry skin is often temporary or seasonal. For example, it is available only in winter.

Long-term treatment may be required. The signs and symptoms of dry skin depend on your age, medical condition, skin tone, living environment, and sun exposure. They include:

• skin tightness

• rough skin

• itching (pruritus)

• Mild to severe scaly skin, causing a gray appearance that can affect dry, brown and black skin

• Mild to severe peeling or flaking

• Legs of a cracked 'dry riverbed'

• fine lines or cracks

• From reddish on white skin to grayish on brown and black skin

• Deep cracks that can bleed

What causes dry skin?

Dry skin occurs when the skin loses water too quickly and thus becomes dehydrated. Several things can increase the risk of skin becoming dehydrated.

Risk factors for dry skin

Dry skin can affect anyone. But some risk factors raise your chances of developing dry skin, including:

• Age. Older adults are more likely to develop dry skin. As you age, your pores naturally produce less oil, raising your risk of dry skin.

• Medical history. You’re more likely to experience eczema or allergic contact dermatitis if you have a history of these conditions or other allergic diseases in your family.

• Season. Dry skin is more common during the fall and winter months, when humidity levels are relatively low. In the summer, higher levels of humidity help stop your skin from drying out.

• Bathing habits. Taking frequent baths or washing with very hot water raises your risk of dry skin.

How to prevent dry skin

Simple lifestyle changes can sometimes help prevent and relieve dry skin. To try on:

• Avoid using hot water to wash or shower

• shower every other day instead of every day

• keep your shower time under 10 minutes

• Use a moisturizing soap when bathing or showering

• Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing or showering

• pat, instead of rubbing, pat the damp skin dry with a soft towel

• Avoid itchy or cracked patches of dry skin

• Use a humidifier in your home

• drink a lot of water

• change your skin care routine as directed by your doctor

Choosing the right moisturizer for your skin type is also important. If your skin is extremely dry, look for a petroleum-based product.

You might consider switching to a lighter water-based lotion during the summer months. Lotions that contain grapeseed oil and antioxidants can also help keep your skin hydrated.

Types of dry skin

Exposure to dry weather, hot water, and certain chemicals can dry out your skin. Dry skin can also be caused by underlying medical conditions.

Dermatitis is the medical term for extremely dry skin. There are several types of dermatitis.

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis develops when your skin reacts to something it touches, causing local inflammation. Irritant contact dermatitis can occur when your skin comes into contact with an irritating chemical, such as bleach.

Allergic contact dermatitis can develop when your skin comes into contact with a substance to which you are allergic, such as nickel.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis occurs when your skin produces too much oil. This leads to a red, scaly rash, usually on your scalp. This is the most common type of dermatitis in babies. 

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is also known as eczema. This is a chronic skin condition that causes dry scaly patches to appear on your skin. It is common in young children.

Other conditions, such as psoriasis and type 2 diabetes, can also dry out your skin.

When to see a doctor if you have Dry Skin?

Most cases of dry skin respond well to lifestyle changes and home remedies. You may need help from a general practitioner or a doctor who specializes in skin diseases (dermatologist) if:

• You've tried self-care steps but your signs and symptoms persist

• Your skin becomes inflamed or painful

• You develop dry, thick skin as a side effect of cancer treatment

• Your condition makes you so uncomfortable that you're losing sleep or are distracted from your daily routines

• You have open sores or infections from scratching

• You have large areas of scaly or peeling skin